The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-04-30
The Right of Instruction.

EDITORS CLARION: In the reply of \. b. c.
to the direct question as to her the people
should instruct Senator hold him to
countabilitv, which right he admits they pos
sess he answers, by asking how other officers OF
government are informed and made accounta
BILE, which does not squarely meet The ques-
ton, and is not applicable TO it, for the reason
that a Senator bears very different relation
to The people as a representative rom that of
The officers OF government named by ga. B.
C"-inasmuch as the latter are the immedi-
ate representatives of the people in their indi
vidual capacity, whilst the Senator represents
then in their collective capacity as
SOVEREIGN State, which two distinct capacities
with different attributes are clearly and posi-
lively recognized by the organic law.
The offices of State are created under the
sovereignty of the people in their individual
capacity for the purpose of uniting tina
sovereignty into the integral capacity and au
thority Of a State The Legislative department
OF that State IL the medium through which the
will OF the people only be authOritatively
expressed in me management of their affairs
Members OF the Legislature are directly ac-
countable to the people, with whom thev are
in immediate contact and member of either
House can be easily and speedily informed at
all times OF The wishes of his constituents and
held to account by the intimate relations of
interest which exist between them, and en-
forced by a short period OF service Not so
with L. s. Senator, who is a represen-
tative OF The State, and is thereby removed
from such Immediate contact with the people
as would authorize him 10 receive instructions
directly rom here, or to be held to account
IN the same manner as members of the Legis-
lature are, being the representatives of the
State end not of the people in their Individual
capacity, which is clearly recognized by the
provisions OF the organic law, fo- their APP
pointment by the Legislature only and giving
two to each State without regard to popula-
lion.
A further answer of A. B. c. to the question.
as to how a Senator is to be informed of the
peoples wishes and made accountable -
Just all other officers are informed and
made accountable.
The executive and judicial officers of a
State, whether appointed directly by the peo-
pie or by the Legislature are held accountable
through the Legislature by impeachment
Now here are two modes by which officers of
the State are held accountable, and we are
LETT in doubt as to which A B. C. believes Ia
ne the proper one by which a Senator is to be
held to account, if it is the first which applies
TO members OF the Legislature merely bv a
county or neighborhood expression of popuIar
WILL II Is mpracticable either to authoritatfvev
instruct or hold to account a Senator-if it Is
the last mode, then accountability to the
Legislature is admitted.
Ii A. Il. G. contends for a mode of proce
dure by which it is imprasticable to preserve the
representative character of a Senator he
practically advocates the per- onal plenipotence
OF that important branch of the government
the Senate o. the United States-carryino
with 1t the destruction of that great conser
vatIve element-State Rights-which is the
cornerstone OF the Tree republic founded bv
our ancestors n