The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-01-11
To be Thought Of

In the remarks Of Senator Hubbard Of
Macomb county. he brought TO view . prin-
ciple worthy Of much attention by al who
would study closely the workings OF our in
stitutions. His positions We're in substance
that Senators represent states; that in the
Senate chamber the members struggle with
each other for power and political influence;
that BY the success Of its members State
IS exalted. and is principles and views OBJ
tain an importance aud sometimes con-
trolling influence among her sister states;
and that the only way Tor state 10 have
this influence IS 10 send the man By whose
ability it has been gained 50 long as be can
WELD the same degree Of influence. he
adduced, as Illustrations. the influence and
dignity attained by Kentucky and Nassa-
chusetts, when represented by such men as
Clay and Webster.
The remarks were intended 10 doubt, 10
have Z particular application, but they IN
pressed Us as opening a wide field for pollI-
zeal study. The Senate chamber may Justly
be considered an arena in which al the
states meet: the Senators Of each state are
lis champions; and they strive With each
other. according to the ability they sever
ally possess, for the prize OF welding the
whole power Of the Senate. As tie action
+ of the senate energies or paralyzes, as the
case may be. the action Of the general gov
eminent, tie prize Is q great one; and the
history Of the Senate shows that il has been
attained. in some instances. to a point
reaching despotism. Not 70 mention other
instances. we Will merely refer 20 q period
Of several years, ending in lo47, during
which Calhoun, on every point connected
with slavery or Southern interests, ruled
the Senate with power as absolute as that
of the Gar Of Russia over his subjects
South Carolina, which * geographically
only hundredth part Of the Union, was eX-
allied beyond any other state; ana her doc
trines were the standard by which the nom
nations for every Office foreign or domes
tic. were tried. We viii set q mark up0r
him. was Calhoun's expression about North
7 ern men who tried 70 rebel. The spell wa;
1 broker by the accession of Hale. Chase anC
/ Seward 10 the Senate; and since Calhoun
/ died. till 1860, what has been the inhuenc,
Of that State in the Senate Comparatively
nothing. suppose little Rhode Island Il
be represented in the Senate for thirty year
by two men Of the ability Of Webster anC
Calhoun, can any one doubt that that iii
minutive State. about twice as large a:
Ingham county, through her Senators
would impress her peculiar views and pole,
upon the nation, and largely shape lis his
tory. So if the great State OF New York
with its vast interests and teeming millions
were represented during the same years By
f Senators like some who have appeared Fl
Washington, whose very moderate capacity
was rendered more inefficient by gross vices
Of how much account would New York be
in national legislation or policy? The mos
she could hope for would be that her Sena
tors, on the calling Of the yeas and nays
would vote right on measures Of policy
conceived, sustained and carried through
by the superior abilities Of Senators from
other States.
In the contest OF States in the Senate
each will have influence according to The
ability Of its representatives, and no more
/ All power is in the mind; and those mind.
which are stronger and more positive Will
in the end, invariably overcome those tina
are weak and passive.