Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1862-03-14
REMARKS OF
COL. s. s. WHARTON.
IN Pa. SENATE FEB'RY, 2, 1862.

resolution lnnetTucung our Senators 10 vote LOT
Ehe expulsion of jesse D. Bright:
Mr.. WHARTON. Mr. Speaker, bad not
intended to occupy the atteDtion Of the Sem
ate upsn this question; but do not feel at
liberty TO pass IT by, con'ent with merely
casting my vote. | desire only to says few
Words, however, in RELATION to points which
shiak have not been touched upon in the dis
cussion. Ia the first place will say to my
friend of Bradford, (Nie. Landon,) that | am
afraid be A6tertzins mistaken notion upon the
question: | DO not think 1t is Of that charsc-
tor which can properly be deuominated ga
lovers quarrel" Ii it was of such charac-
ter, then it's adjustment might be expected TO
resemble that which he has suggested. He
talks Of tears of joy and sorrow being ahod,
she adoption Of stern resolutions by both parA
fies in the quarrel, and then mutual good
feeling; bot there is more than that embrassd
IN the action had upon this resolution. Il Is
plainly evident that the instincts of party pol
icy are the ruling motives in the disposition of
the present subject. Although, perhaps, sv.
err member Of the Legislature has stated bis
belief that she object of eur present action is
designed to magnify or lessen the standing
of any pelitIesl organization before the peo-
pie, yet upon nearly all occasions of impor-
sanee to the interests Of the whole country,
this disposition has been privately INDUCED 10
the Legislature. do not think there should
be- any studied demonstrations of party tactics,
on questions Of so much vitality to our odms
mon country; but we have political parties,
AMI l would as readily recognize party liUes at
this time upon material questions of policy, a
[ would have previous to the dawning of the
present great crisis upon the country. 1t does
not necessarily follow that because parties DO
exist, their adheTents not therefore patri-
otto. As an individual member of society,
belonging to political organization, / can
state without the least preyarcation that my
party feelings do not make me less patriotic
than if | repudisted all party isms or poIiti-
cal principles; and | suppose the same may be
said Of the members of the Democrats pa.tg
generally. / suppose they are carrying out
tnslr convictions of duty; and if they are hoo
est IN those convctors, they will favor all
measures which look 10 promoting the best in
terests of the country.
Nov, mr. Spesker, can see no reason way
there should be any difference of opinion on
this resolution, between the two Houses, if it
was not for the fact to which [ have refeued.
Ii lie owing to TIE tactics Of party-to a kind
LOAANl0al
party 10 this Senate bad proposed and 30 sub
atituta the proposition cf our Democratic
friends in the House. The party in the House
seems TO have lost sight Of the fact that this
Senate finally voted unanimously for the reso-
luton Of lBstructioE TO our Senators 10 Con-
grsas, to vote for the expulsion Of the traitor.
Jesse D. Bright. Whether The action of the
Democracy Of the House is based upon tbe
assumption that they are better leaders than
those of their party IN the SeLate, am una
bls to say; but one thing, Mr.. Speaker, is cor :
tain-that the tendency to differ between the
two houses on this question, at the present
time, can have no good effect upon the inter
ests of tbs people. If our Senators in Con-
gFess are to be instructed to vote for the ex.
pulsion of the traitor Bright, why not give
them direct instructions? They are men Of
direct and positive dealings aud they would
certainly greatly prefer that if instructed a.
all, those instructions should be plain and to
the point. Now, Mr. Speaker; having made
these preliminary remarks, desire to call tee
attention OF the Senate to the somewhat moot
ed question of the right Of instruction. That
IS doctrine as old As Democracy itself; il is
30 we'll understood and has been so we'll prao-
'iced in years gone by, and is so generally
practiced at this day, that il seems to be 4
part aud parcel Of the government ITSELF
Members of all parties have long since came
10 the conclusion, that, in point of principle,
the doctrine of instruction is Just and proper,
Why, SIR, If | felt satisfied in regard to the
instructions of my constituents upon any pne
question, would feel that was not discbsre-
Ipg ny duty as Senator if did not obsv
those instructions; the only alternative left
me as 50 honorable mao, in such case, would
DO to resign my position. In the present in
stance, we have clearly the right TO ASSERT that
prlneiPie, and especially so at the present
session when many members Of the Legislature
are present, BY whose votes the present Sena-
tors IN Congress we're elected to their high and
honofobie offices. The Legislature is that
power by which our Senators in Cnngress are
ofIcialy created, and the right of this body to
instruct those representative officers is not on
ly clear buteminently just and proper, and in
accordance with the republican institutions Of
our country. Furthermore, necessity requires
tnat fhose representatives. should know our
oPi0ions upon all questions Of vital interest 10
this people. The Democratic party having.
o. all times and on all occasions aRrsed 90 the
rigot OF instruction, is is most sineularly
suange that the organization should now pro-
TESS 20 avoid she doctrine of voting fos dis
'lnot and positive Instructions. mako no
onarges sgaiBst that party On the ground Of
disloyaiiyi | will not say that they are mot -
gs'riotic ss mysslf, for think that eyery
DS@ocrssio Senator 10 Us patriotic as be who