Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-06-11

cept some four or FIVE absentees. signed
the same constitutional. word for word.
Mr.. SHERMAN, of Ohio. The gen
tie will see by reference tothe Senate
document (Reports of Committees, No
21 that the members of theitwo branch,
es signed different papers, though they
may. upon comparison, prove to be alike
They kept up, however, distinction tc
the very end.
Mr.. JENKINS. I will only say, in re.
ply to that, that consider that action
equivalent to signing the same paper
1t makes no sort of difference which
paper they signed. Is it the paper
which comes here which makes the con.
stitution? say, then, in the first place
by way OF brief recapitulation on this
point, that the convention was not q
mob; that it was legally and fairly
elected under the enabling act and ter.
ritorial law; that it properly assembled
and if it divided into two branches,
that fact makes no difference with the
result, as they both signed the consti-
tuition; and that it was as Justly and
strictly legal constitution as if there
had been but one body. In addition
to all this, sir, this constitution has the
enaction of the popular voice in an al.
most unparalleled manner; the proportion
of the whole vote being about the ratio
of sixty in favor, to one against it.
Another objection which the gentle
man from Ohio makes against the adj
mission of Minnesota is, that the mem
bers of the lower branch of their Leg
islature are elected for life. Why, sir.
if the state of Minnesota chooses to elect
her Representatives for life, cannot
see that it is reasonable objection to
her admission. The gentleman may
say that it is anti republican; but l
think the gentleman will find it hard
TO prove it. L admit that it is not such
provision as would vote for; and if
were in a State which adopted such a
constitution. and persisted in retaining it,
| would remove from such State; but |
should not consent to see the despotic
arm of the Federal government interpose
to remedy the evil; for believe the evils
which would grow out of such doctrine OF
interposition would be infinitely worse
than those sought to be remedied.
1t will not do, sir, simply to say that a
feature of a State constitution, permitting
Representatives in the Legislature to
serve for life, is odious. and therefore suf>
fcient reason for Congress to reject it =
l repeat. sir, that however odious such a
feature would be, (and it would be as
odious to me as to any man living, still
thai is a matter for the people of the in
cipient State to decide for themselves
If they want such constitution, it is their
business, and not yours or mine, as mem
bers of Federal Congress. If the peo-
pie of State want such q constitution,
we cannot impose different one upon
them against their will. When they
choose to change it they can do so. You
must then show that such a constitution
is anti>republican. or however objectiona-
Bile it may otherwise be, the Federal
Government cannot interfere. Is, then,
such constitution anti.republican I?
How, then, shall we ascertain the true
meaning Of the the term Republican, !"
as used in that clause of the Federal Con-
stitution which says "that the United
States shall guaranty to every state in this
Union republican form of government
First, let us examine the term ITSELF
Is there anything in its general signifca-
ton which would imply that it was in
the Legislature being elected for life 3
Cleary not; for il so, where will you draw
the line? Would it be anti-republican to
have them made eligible for FIVE years?
no one will contend for that. Then would
it be anti-republican to have them eligi.
BILE for ten years? II not so for ten, then
for twenty years, or forty. or for life?
Where vii! the honorable gentleman
draw the line, saying that it is republican
to elect them for that number of years,
but antirepublican to elect for single
year beyond?
But in order to approximate as nearly
as possible to the true meaning of the
word republican, as used in the Constitu>
ton of the United States, let US turn tc
the constitutions of the respective States
existing at the time of the adoption of the
Federal Constitutions, and see what they
were; for the very men who framed thai
instrument participated, to a greater OIL
less extent, in the forraatiou of the State
constitutions; and we may very well sup
pose that they knew what they meant
when they used the term republican, .
Referring, then. to the constitution of my
own State as it was at the time of the
formation of the Federal Constitution,
find that large portion of the citizens oi
Virginia were not allowed TO vote for any
Office whatsoever. This was indeed, sir
an odious feature. yet it will not do tc
say that this constitution was anti-repub
lican. for it would be to stultify many o.
the fathers of the Republic who partici
pated in the formation of the constitution
of Virginia, and also in the formation o
the Federal Constitution, which contains
the guaranty of republican form o
government TO the differennt States.