Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-02-14
~ NfIIili l. d IRR.lINIlN.


10 procure the Massage of the act prohibiting the
introduction or existence of slavery IN any ct
the territories, especially in Kansas and Nehras-
ka. and to introduce without delay bill for the
latter purpose and also to procure the imme-
date repeal of the act of Ie50.
The resolution was submitted II the sehate a
week ago by Senator Stuart; wbereupon, Gene
raj csss rose and gave bis reasons fer declining
to comply with tkea.
He referred to the occasion, when, in ao-
acknowledgement Of Instructions 10 vote tar the WI
mot Proyiso, he had admitted himself "a believer
in the right Of instruction when fairy eA'fslseo
and under proper circumstances nut th'peh'
there were imitaiicns te its exercise. TN that
occasion he .peremptorily refused elther 10
obey arlesign--assignisg A. reason- thht the
instructions had emenated from "a new part. =
in the state that had acquired an ascepdeaey in
.be LEGISLATURE whose only object was to censc
him 10 resign. He then states the question;
HAS a political party, whenever 1t aecedes 10
power. by whatever combinations the right to
pass resolutions which its opponents in Legi .la-
tive trusts IRE bound tn obey. or if prevented
from oheying NJ their conscience mud eonsisten-
cy, 10 resign their position p To this question
whole argument1 after this wise:
The con sequences Of such a rule Of action
a., obvinus - need detailed examination, md
too serjons 4. b.. incurred IS haut pressing ne
cessitv Into this body it would lRroduee chm
ges radically affecting ~ organization, md III |
compatible with Tie ohieei- If II institution ns
tbe rorreseniatip, fhfaneh If the saYerepnity |
of the state II Wild lase every Characteristic
of permaneaee IL ~. 80 going nut, year by
year. n political fluctuations might transfer pow
or fro,, a,le nsnfg to ,.aeii.r. Tor nj NIL times
would il be casy Ia seipci qaestonsfor this pro
cess of removal, which IN htnest man Of up
poste pnrty could support. Some oil these are
constitutional. aud others scarcely inferior to
them in importance involving puiuts OF pohcy
forming the very landmarks OF the debainble
ground. where our struggles have always hereto
fore taken place.
That this power would be used. abused lndeed
for this purpose, no man will deny he eA-
elements OF the past wnrns Us 10 what the future
would bring with ii. And TINT the disadvantage
would be the share of the democracy Is certain
for it is we'll understood thGt IN the rreed OF our
opponents, instructions GARRY them neither the
duty to obey nor the obligations tofeslgn.
Gen. Cass' objeetiens the argument Cd 1neon
renienti-the narrewcst and mest unrbilasophi-
cal of all arguments. lie admits IN another per
ton of his speech that he would feel himself
DOuHu IL pbtA INSTRUCTION cumming ai'''' ~
Democracy" Of Michigan, resign. but he holds
himself exempt from any sneh obligation, when
the instructions come from another PARTY. Ut
does not seem To have occurred Ia him that all
the Inconvenience, consequent on the admission
Of the doctrine in the one case might oecu1 IN
the other, also. Nor daes h seem fully to ap-
prehend that legislature composed OF others
than democrats is as much the emhodemem OF
the sovereignty of the state as though SO eoast'-
tuted--and that by every reason aud rule Of eena-
mon sense and COMMON prorrietY he would he
as much bound 10 obey one as the other.
The true doctrine consider to be that IA
election is an rrepealable sct---a coHplete snd
accomplished fact and TINT III, electors hive no
further control over the matter. Tie represen-
tative i clothed by virtue eli his election, noeept
ance and qualification, with powers and trusts,
which, in good faith, he is expected II exercise
according to his best discretion-with M reslen-
sihility to his constituents. except AT recurring
election. Should he commit malteasanees in of
fee, that bring him withie reach al impeachment,
he is snenable in thai mode, under the eonstitu
ton and his powers ~ Il representative may he
taken from him. The power of summary oxpnl-
sion has been also exercised, IN other eases; but
it would be of more than questionable right, when
applied to the representative of state sovereignty,
in the Senate. Neither Legislature, nor any
other elective body, has any power To revoke and
repeal an election, by II subsequent act. How
then is it competent for them 10 procure va
cancy by instruction : Gnn that be done by in
direction which system Of government, our
constitution aud laws provide no means of doing
directly Assurealy not; and we wonder TINT
Gen. Cass, determining 10 take the responsibility
of disobeying did no, fortify himself by soonder
reasons than he has assigned. We suspect IT
was more convenient for him 10 take Wing
stand than to make Wing arg 1ment. His idea
of representative independence dehasis to the eS-
ceedingly low standard Of party seryility.
The concluding portion oj bis speech will be
read with interest,":
| am firmly persuaded that the adoption OF
either of the measures much more of both, de
manded by the Legislature of Michigan would be
the signal for the breaking up of this govern
ment and the dissolution of this eontederacy. l
know there many honest men who scout ut
every idea of danger and many others who, whilo
admitting it, are yet preparedto meet it, let 1t
bring what disasters it may-prepared to sac
rifice this magnificent structure OF freedom to
one overpowerng impulse, which leads captive
alike the heart and the understanding. This IL
no time to surrender the outworks of the citadel.
To abandon the securities which wisdom and pa
triotism have provided and to throw AWAY all the
checks we possess against rash and dan 5erous
innovations.
For myself sir, if Providence permit, | shall
remain in the position occupy during the resi-
due of my term of ice unless, indeed, the de-