Jenks' Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1803-1805, 1803-12-24


upon the members of the Houfe who now
reprefentthofe aates, Ibeg leave to fug-
geita few words in reply, and to ltateasfuc-
cinGly as pollible fonre of the reafons
which will induce me tovote againf the
reGoluion.-
An amendment of the contribution muft
be fan6tioned not only by two thirds of
both houfes Of congrefs, but mutt be
ratified by three iourths of the fate
legislatures. i he contribution conGd-
ers thefe different afemblies as entire
ly independent of each other. They NUT
act with perfect independence upon
this fubje6 or this provifon is virtu-
ally detroyed. Mott certainly a refo-
luton of a fate legislature IN zo7, ought
not to controul the votes of members of
this houle in 1903. It's Iconceive not.
only their right, but their duty to decide
upon this queition with the mott perfect
independence of-opinion.
It has been already urged that the con-
ilitutional mode Of eleaing the Pretident
and Vice-Prefdent is admirably we'll cal
culated to diiappoint intrigue and prevent
corruption Should an atpiring and dan
gerous faction obtain the alcendency in
this country, this mode of election affords
the means of counteraaing its influence,
Of checking its controul. For although
fuch a party will make the greateh exer-
tons to elect that leader who may chance
to be the idol of the day, Whit the cleo
tors are obliged TO vote for two candidates
without designating which is intended
for PRECEDENT, thoie electors who are not
devoted to the interef Of the ruling fac
ton, Will exerciie preference of great i'm
portance they will feleet the candidate
Ieait exeeptionable..
p, The article which this refolution pro-
pofes to alter has always been conidered
as the great barrier and fhield of the final
Ter fates, againit the Entertainments of the
large By the prelent mode of election,
provided it is effected Blythe electors, each
fate has its due proportion of influence.
If it be decided by the Houic Of Repreien-
tatives, the contribution has put the itatcs
upon the ground of perfect equality. But
if the propoied alteration takes place, il
will undermine the very BATS of the con-
federacy /: it will throw the whole power
in this mot important election, into the
hands of a few ftateS excluilvely.- With
the prefent population, FIVE ftates may,
by combination, exclude the other twelve
from all participation III the choice. 1t
will be totally impoilible by any precaution
whatever to prevent fuch a combination,
The Gtuation Of the ltates forming the
federal contribution, and the nature of the
compact itlelf furniih frong evidence of
the policy of the article under conddera-
ton. 1t was absolutely neccAary that
fome of the rights Of the individual ltates
lhould be fecured for the interei and fafe-
ty of all. This contribution, to ufe the
language of the convention who framed it,
sswas the refult of lpirit of amity, 81 of that
mutual Difference & concefhon whichthcpe-
culiarity Of our political iituatien rendered
indilpentible." Upon no othe! principle
is il poiIible to account for that article of
the contribution which provides for the
representation Of Raves. This article OPP
crates with peculiar inequality in the north
ern and ealtern fates.
The approximation of llaves adds IS
members to this Houfe in the prelent con-
grefs, and IS electors of PRECEDENT and
Vice PreGdent at the next election. Yet
the whole of New-England contains but
1871 naves, Maaaohuietts and Vermont
have none
The New-England States have fubn1it-
ted to this inequality, fenfible of the ex-
IRENE danger of sampering with the con-
firntion.s But if It is to be altered. iutfice