The Nevada journal., 1858-05-21
Obey Instructions or Resign.

and other Senators for their refusal to lie
governed in their Senatorial conduct by
instructions from the legislatures of the
several States they represent. 1t is
now proclaimed as undeniable locofoco
doctrine that the representative should
be governed by the instructions of his
constituents or resign. We would not
be surprised if such be really the doc
trine Of the party to-day, but we can
truthfully deny that such was tenet of
the Democratic creed yesterday, and
safely predict it will not be TO morrow.
There arc numerous instances in the
political history Of the country where
Democrats have refused to be instructed
and the party with almost one accord
applauded their acts. There will be
other instances without doubt when like
events will be repeated by members of
the Democracy should the party sur
vive.
The doctrine of instruction is false
when applied to the Senatorial Office.
The Constitution wisely extended the
term of Senator to six years that his
conduct might be as far as possible con-
sistent with republican institutions, re-
moved from the fluctuations Of party
and ebulifions of popular feeling. 1t
WAS not designed that a Democratic
Senator elected this year should be gov
erned by the instructions of a Republi-
can Legislature Of next year, an Ameri-
can body the year after, and so on.
We're such rule to be established it
would destroy nearly all individuality of
action, degrade the highest legislative
officer to a mere machine propelled by
the gusts of popular excitement or pas
sion, and effectually ruin a Senator's
chance for usefulness. Establish and
confirm this r.le and the term Of Sena-
tor may as'well be cut down to one year
at once, and let bubbles that rise to the
surface in times of excitement, float to
the highest positions instead of states
mcn.
The United States Senate was de-
signed as a high conservative body, re-
fieotirg, preserving and continuing a
sound national sentiment, beyond the
reach of fanaticism wide spread or local.
The tenn of Office of its members was
made six years, to span and bridge over
popular excitements, that the tone of the
national mind might not descend from
the exalted grade established for it by
the founders Of the government. John
Bell, in ref Using to conform to the in
struc;ions of the Legislature of his State,
refused also to do violence to his con
science as an honorable man, but by not
resigning, preserved the very spirit and
essence of the Constitution of the United
States, he had sworn, and patriot as he
is. was bound to support. In not yield
ing to popular clamor, John Bell, of
Tennessee, has given evidence of the
lofticst patriotism and integrity to the
Union worthy of its highest honors.
The doctrine of instruction is no where
more disgraceful'y exemplifed than in
the presumptuous resolutions of our own
Legislature endorsing the Lecompton
Constitution. Should our Senators be
governed by a gambling conclave of
brainIcss upstarts when it is patent
fact that nine-tenths of the people Of the
State look with contempt upon those
resolutions and the Legislature in which
they originated! Broderick never ut
tered more truthful expression in his
life than when, in his place in the Sen
ate, he pronounced the resolutions false
to the sentiments of the people of Cali
fornia; and never did he occupy a
prouder position in the estimation of that
people than when he declared his deter
mination not to be governed by such a
barefaced emanation from a recreant
Legislature. The promptness with
which that determination was made
known-scarcely had the resolutions
left the hands OF DR.. Gwin who present
ed them-is characteristic of the man,
and entities him to the thanks of every
despiser Of the Lecompton swindie,
whose voice was heard from the mouth
Of Broderick on that day despite the
Instructions of treacherous gang of
miscalled representatives..
LEES CIRCUs-The Circus advertise
ment in another column cannot fail to
attract attention. Mr.. Lee is the most
successful manager of Circus as we'll