American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-10-31
The Right to Tnstruet. .

.,
to their Instructions, has been SO fully
recognized by all political parties that
have enjoyed any considerable amount of
popular confidence that we are SO newhat
astohishea sR.fpd any of the Republican
journals Of The country attempt to deny
its soundpess, or question the policy Of a
strict adherence TO its ezaetions..
Reeognizin z the correctness of this
view of the subject ourself, ard having
observed with pain the shameless nan
ner 10 which the best interests of the
nation were trifed with, by those whose
duty it was, under the constitution, to
elect United States Senators, as early as
February last, we wrote short article
on the subject, and took occasion to sug-
gest that the better way would be to give
expression TO the popular will in State
Convention just as we do for Cover
nor or other State officers. To this sug-
ges ion our neighbor of the Gazette saw
fit to object. 1t subsequently favored its
readers with series OF articles from
well. known pen on the Senatorial subject
assuming, or seeming to assume that this
subject was one specially belonging to
Representatives themsels es, aud not. ih.
any manner belonging to the people
When, at later day our country, in
Convention assembled, passed resou-
tion of instructions on the subject, the
Gazette again manifested some un ash
ness, to which we defnurrel at the time.
1t is but just here tn say, that in what
little we have in said this matter, we
havo been actuated by desire to see
reform accomplished in this behalf aud
not for the purpose of controlling our
own representatives, for whose integrity
we can most cheeriulfy voucii and whom
so far as we know, are personally, in har-
mony with their instructions.
The Gazette has again broached the
subject, as it seems from perusal of its
articles for the purpose of persuading
Representatives to disregard sheir in,
structiops. knowing the position which
that journal once occupied, and feeling
personally solcitous that it should con
iinue to earn and retain public confidence,
we would have much preferred to see it
espouse the cause of the people, than
that of their Representatives if we may
SO speak, although it might be more prop
er to say the cause Of the people against
those who hope to control the action o. a
oDajority OF their representatives. While
we would have much preferred that our
ne ghbor had taken different view of the
subject we have no desire to raise any
question as to its rights in the premises.
We have heard it claimed BY some of lis
admirers here, that tn, Gazette was a
known friend to an aspirant tor Senatorial
honofs, who, though very successful with
Legislative bodies has neUer seen fit to
test his standing with the people. Those
desirous OF promoting his interest cannot
do SO more forcibIy than by excluding the
people from all'say in this matter. Fer
them il is not only consist Mt, bat wise,
to avoid the popular vtice, why any 9TH
ers should do SO we are at loss to know
Waving, for the time being, all taese
considerations and ignoring whatever eff
feet it might have on the approaching
Senatorial election, is not the principle #
instructions right? Most certainly it
is, II democratic form Of government
is right.
It is said that portion of the people,
at the time of the formation of our Gov
eminent, were 10th to trust the people
with political power, it is even elai imed
that our present mode OF electing Pres
ideut and Vice President, (by electors)
Is the result of compromise between
those who advocated pure Democracy
aad those who doubted the capacity of
the people for seligovernment. Be this
as it may, it is certain that no such COM
promise was necessary in the formation
of our constitution. 1t vas not, there
fore because the trainers of our organic
law doubted The ability, or questioned the
right Of the people to govern themselves
and make their own laws, that they adopt
ed the system of representation, but be-
cause of its convenience, its probability.
Never did the people. for moment,
suppose that adopting our constitution
surrendered their rights to influence the
Leg gislation of the country by their en-.
pressed judgment on any given subject
the passage of law, the election Of a
United States Senator, or any other sub
ject legitimately coming before .he leg
islstive department Of the government.
Aud what good.reason can there be for
wishks1diRg this risks frsa shs psopls.2