The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-03-26
8. Hsvez because there was no legal

dent gains for his position by saying |
that Mr.. Benton, the once popular idol
in Missouri, was hurled from his seat,
not for the simple reason that he viola
ted Instructions, but because in doing
so he supported an unpopular measure.
His doom was sealed for both causes
and his vote for the Wilmot Proviso in
of instructions proves what
has before been so well said that no one
man has a right to claim for himself
more wisdom than the aggregate of his
neighbors. Mr.. Benton learned the
lesson, and it Is written in imperishable
letters on the tomb wherein his political
fortunes were buried.
Some additional examples oftherespect
in which this essential principle of pop
ular representative government has been
held by all parties, will be in place here.
Pending the discussion of a financial
question in the United States Senate,
Hon. John J. Crittenden, who stood
second to none in the confidence and
affections ofthe Wing party, referring to
resolutions of instructions which had
come up from numerous States, said
More important than the question (under
consideration itself the duty o. obeying
the solemn acts of the Legislative Assemblies
of the States.
In 1884, the Hon. VIM. c. Rives, Of
Virginia, one of the purest men that
ever lived, in resigning his seat in the
Senate because he could not conscientious
ly reflect the will of his Stateas expressed
through the legitimate channel, the
Legislature, and would not tolerate the
doctrine which puts the agent above his
constituency, uttered this sentiment:
II know and feel the weight of these sacri-
fees, but great as they are, make them with
out a sigh as the most emphatic homage l
can render to principle believe vital to the
republican system and indispensable to the
safe and salutary action of our political insti-
tutions"
Ona memorable occasion, Mr. Grundy,
of Tennessee, said to a Legislature which
instructed him to vote against the Sub
Treasury bill which he approved:
hold it is the duty of the representative
to obey. That is, the State Legislature possess
ses the right to instruct the Senators from their
State in Congress. You 1.-THE
Legislature by your instructions have taken
upon yourselves the responsibility OF the vote
am required to give and [ am relieved from
it. The people will look to you (the Legisla-
ture) as the principal, and to me (the SENATOR
merely the agent in performing act eI-
pressly required by those in whom | recognize
the power to instruct | SHALL therefore, obey
in good faith your instructions as expressed in
your resolutions and shall vote against the bill
precisely in the same way l should do were l
opposed to it myself Sc, &c.
This was addressed to a Legislature
composed not of a majority of Mr..
Grundy's political friends, but of his
enemies.
During the Senatorial career of James
Buchanan, the last Democrat that has
occupied the Presidential chair, he was
instructed by the Pennsylvania Legisla-
ture to cast a vote not in accordance
with his own personal views. Under
these circumstances, he said: 81 am
instructed, and it remains for me to de-
eide what course | ought to pursue ;"
And here was his decision which we re-
spectfully submit to A. B. c. 1t may
be studied to advantage by our CORES
pendent if he ever expects to advance
beyond the hornhook of political knowI-
edge:
Ever since was capable of forming an opin-
ion upon this subject, have believed that the
Legislatures of the several States had right
to instruct their Senators. In my opinion this
right results from the very nature OF our Con-
stitution; which is a Federal compact between
distinct am sovereign States. 1t has ever
been consiG red, with but few exceptions,
fundamental article in the political creed of
that party to which l am proud to belong /
have in public and in private, in the face of
the Senate and before the country, often ex=
pressed this opinion: and shall never preach
one doctrine and political faith and practic
another. l shall never shrink from what |
conceive to be my duty, because in performing
it l may apply the torture to myself
l know that some of my most valued friends
in Pennsylvania who hold the Right of In
struction TO be sacred, are of opinion that
under the peculiar circumstances OF this case,
l ought to disobey these instructions. But do
they not perceive that if the Senator can look
behind his Instructions, the right is at once
abandoned? Under the pretext, or if you
please under the honest belief that they do
not speak the voice of the people, or that they
have been corruptly or improperly obtained,
Senator could always justify himself
for disobedieGce. l shall therefore, not DISC
hey my instructions. Ny only alternative,
them is either to obey or to resign.
Upon questions of mere expedieney, In
which no constitutional principles are involved,
it ought to be very strong case to induce the
Senator to abandon his post. Ii every differ
ence of opinion between the Senator and his
Legislature should produce this effect, the
right of instruction itself would soon grow
into disrepute, and the Senatorial term of six
years, as fixed by the Constitution, would ter
inmate whenever such a conflict of opinion
should arise.
can perceive of extreme cases. in which,
questions of mere expediency, an honorable
man might feel himself degraded in even be-
coming the agent to give the vote OF his State.
No person of any party with whom | have
conversed, considers tlfe present to be such a
case; and am confirmed in my own opinion
upon this subject by the example of the Sena-
tor from Tennessee, (Mr. Grundy.) shall,
therefore, obey my Instructions honestly and
in good faith; and, like him, on every question
ofthe proposed amendments, and shall give such
q vote as a fair and honorable onnnnent of the