The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1854-05-24
A NEW DOCTRINE.

A writer in the "Demccratc Union" printed
al Keosauque, who signs himself IS IN
speaking Of the Fairfield Rail Road Conven-
ton, uses the following language;
:. We must acknowledge that this so called
convention was the greatest farce we ever wit
nessed-,he friends Of the land bill asserted,
that the bill was in accordance with the settled
policy CT the State as marked out by the lie.
gislaiure of 1852, SO and was unalterable, that
on. delegat on in Congress were bound by the
instructions Of the legislature, and no outside
pressure could move ihem-if this position be
true, why hold a mass meeting Of the friends
Of the bill. is it necessary for the friends OF the
bill to urge our delegation to the performance OF
their duty /? no man with three grsins Of com.
mon sense who knows what our representatives
have done in Congress, will admit this. The
facts in the case are these the hands OF our
repre- sentatives in Congress have been partially
tied bv the action Of the legislature BY passing
certain memorials Cor grants OF land to con.
struct Rail Roads contrary 10 the interest and
wishes Of large majority Of the peoPie-ou,
which are still urged upon our delegation and
before the people, As THE "sErrLED STATE
POLICY" BY . selfish and interested few"
This writer would have the public believe
that the hands Of the Delegation in Congress-
are but partially hel'' in favor of the railroad
policy Of the State, rs set forth in the "iowa
Land Bill" and that it is the easiest thing in
all nature to disregard the instructions Of the
Legislature and 60 for any and every railroad
project which individuals, irresponsible COM
psnies and Obscure localities may suggest. We
had always supposed that to obey instructions
Vac one Of the first and paramount duties OF
democratic representative. The doctrine Is as
old a. the parties Of the country, that the agent
selected to represent the people, shall obey IN
ssructions or resign his post, and give the con-
slituency an opportunity to select another his
place, who ~ilf fairly represent their wishes.
The Legislature Of this State has instructed
our Senators and re quested our Representatives
to urge upon Congress the passage Of certain
Bill, embodying its views and wishes respecting
: railroad srant for the State. These Senators
and Representatives have adhered strictly to
these instructions In this they have followed
out The only rule which can be safely adopted
and snooessfally anstained and it 10 solemnly
binding upon the people TO sustain them. The
expression Of Legislative body, fresh from
the people and directly responsible to them, is
! much safer criterian Of public sentiment
and much better rule for the government Of
pnhlic asryents, Than individuals or oommuni-
ties acting in private capacity, representing
private interests and responsible TO no power.
Oar Delegation in Congress have done their
duty and nothing more, nor less than their duty
and they should and will be sustained by the
people. Let them disobey their instructions,
and it would not be week till they would be
denounced from enc end of the St.te to the
other, ~ reckless and recreant public servants