The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-12-04

The obligation Of . Senator to obey the instruc-
tons of the Legislature Of the State that he repre-
seuts in Congress, has been a subject OF frequent
discussion in the journals Of our country during the
last ten wears. Whatever else may be said Of the
doctr;ne il must we conceive, be admitted that it |
i. emipen,ly democratic. tits deduced from the un
que STONED premises that the majority must iule
il !, based upon the principle that the servant of
the people must obey their voice. No true demo-
crat will stand up and deny this principle We
can readily understand how true patriot can re-
fuse to obey the commands of the people, and how,
couceiving them to DO utterly wrong, he
breast the tide Of public opinion. But we also
see that, in doing so, he casts democracy, or re-
publicanism, aside, and usurps the authority Of a
sovereign He, in effect, tells his constituents
that they are ignorant Of their true interests, while
he is familiar Herewith, and in despite Of their
wishes, he will do what in his judgment is for
their good. Thus good man can say and do, and
a bad man can say and do the same. If that as
sumption is permitted or tolerated with the one, il
will be seized upon at every convenient opportu
nifty by the other. Better is it then to suffer TIT
evils of ignorant action for the moment, than thos.
of violating an established principle. Such a
least is our way of reasoning on democrats
grounds and we cannot understand how demo
cr.t, who really has the principles Of his system
At heart, can arrive at different conclusions.
We have been led to these reflections by an arti
q Gle in the Louisiana Courier Of Tuesday evening
written on the subject Of contingent instruction
from the Legislature of this State to one of its
wants in the United States Senate.
The Courier takes up proposition alleged I
have been made by the Clinton Wing, and tacl
thereto such assumptions as the following:
"But what right has the Legislature to reca
At Mr.. Soule. None whatever. Nor will MI. Soul
let them do what they may, relinquish his seat
please them. He is firm and true friend of Lou
siana and he will hold his seat to see that she hi
in iustice done her in our national Congress.
Ono of the morning journals, in commentir
~ on this subject, contends that although Mr. Sou
cannot be recalled, he will nevertheless be subjs
| 10 cetain instructions from the Legislature, whit
= he cannot disregard without falling into gross il
= consistency and that to avoid this he would ha
10 resign. We do not think SO; for the instru
tions which the present wing Legislature won
v give, would be directly contrary 10 those alrea
= given TO mr. ooule, anu pesioes IL ID contrary
general whg principles to bind representatives
Instructions"
"The wings have always denied the right
t. instruction, and declared that representative "
= not bound to observe instructions The questit
To- then, of sending whig instructions to Mr.. Soule
lys no longer to be- entertained. But if the VIII
~ commit the inconsistency of doing what they ha
always condemned, Mr.. SOue, we hope, will,
ION view of such miserable maneuvrng, treat
rly whole thing with the contempt which it so ric
l. H. Il k1,tt thn he
i've do so. He will not suffer himself to be swer,
10, from his duty, and the course Of an honora
Senator, by any wing instructions or wing cros
Vt ings that may perchance reach his ears. Mr. So
understands his duty, and his position, and as
,... representative of Louisiana will do his duty"
,noe With regard to the inconsistency involved
49,, 80, the supposed case Of instructions being given
uu. the present Legislature of this State, we HI
vi" nothing to say. 1t is beside the question.
>, consistency be the word, Mr.. Courier, wo
IDLY ask where does the democratic Senator pl
'.s, himself who denies the obligation to receive
sdy act upon instructions given him by the Lei
lature Of the State, the sentiments Of which
,hi. is presumed to reflect in his Office?
said "If the whigs," says this democratic orga
"If the wings commit the inconsistency Of dc
en- en-, what they have always condemned, Mr.. So
amp we hope, will in view OF such miserable man
wiring, treat the whole thing with the conte
lido. L.. :. .;.h,,, Js..rv.. w. do NJ. h..;
,phi. WHICH 1t 81 ''oAi' N'''' e' "' "'' "''
and to saw that he will do so! " That is, if the W
, ..r should be inconsistent as to adopt proc
ing different from that usually taken by Il
The Mr.. Soule would be justified by retorting
1900 the trhng inconsistency of violating caro-
the principle.
cited ,e az. /. d.,o,,ov :, ,a,,,;,,, :. NJ,
,.;n publicanism,