Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-04-20
CON REsS
OF THE
UNITED STAT z 5.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE OF kGP AZ. . Z - q S
THURSDAY, Decembers.
Debate oathe AMEND lfElV1' q ase COY
STIIITI'lS'N.
(lir. C. w. Camb5ell's speech continued. Z
I cannotbe of opinion that this was con- g,
siaered by the convention who formed the
constitution, as an equivalent, given 70 the
small states for any rights or powers by
them surrendered to the general govern
ment. If The small states consider It SO,
they must have esteemed those rights and
powers, thus surrendered, of very sraalllnl-
portance indeed. For the evgntin which,
they could have the opportunity OF exer-
cisingthe right Of this mode OF electlen
secured tolhem, (of voting by states)is ex-
tremely uncertain and might not occur once
in a century. Andthough it has once hap
pened, il is evident, the small states did
not in that case unite, nor did the interests
Of large and small states seem to be taken
into view as opposed to each other. But,
Sir, let me ask what real benefit can the
small states expect to derive from this
mode of election, more than the large states!
Have they the power TO bring the election
. into the House Of Representatives at their
pleasure? They have not. It is a mere ca
suaitv, in which the small states, can have
no more agency than the large states. But.
what interest have the small states In
bringing the election into the House Of
Representatives if it were IN their power
Is it very probable that in such an event,
there would be candidate, from either OF
the small states on the list of those from
whom this House would be authorised to
chuse the President? Ipresume it is not.
But is It to be expected, that the small
states would in such an event, combine SO
as to succeed in electing President in OPP
position to the large states? Would the
small states to the east and northeast, u
mite with thosest to the south and west? -
This may be possible, but certainly it is
not very probable. Their positions arere-
mote from each other, and each neighbor-
Ing on large states; their local interests are
different, and they differ in their politics,
az much from each o.her at least, as they
do from the large states. | am then, Sir,
inclined to conclude, that all the benefit
the small states could expect TO derive from
the election of President coming into this
House, would be. only the opportunity of
throwing their weight and influence, as
each OF them might feel disposed in the e.
lectorial scales in fayorof such of the can
didates trona the large states, as might be
most agreeable to them. And this eau
not be deemed such an interest, as would
induce the small states, at the least possible
hazard OF the national tranquility, even to
desire such an event. But, am decided
" OF opinion thatit is the substantial IN
terest OF the small states, hat the election
should be decided by the electors, and not
come Into this House, tits their interests,
that the government should be administer
ed according to its genuine principles, that
no Earring interests should SO come in
collision with each other, as to produce
\ a CONFUSION in the nation or endancer the
fate otthe union. So. long as this Is the
case, so long will the small states, ana
their resPeetiveirights, be inperfecf u eu-
.rity, and if they ever should be IN danger,
it will be when the bonds Of union, between
the states are broken asunder, and each.
left toProtect It's own interests. But am
OF opinion the mode ofvoting by states is
productive OF advantages q a different kind
from those contendcdsfor BY the opponents
to this amendment. It was probably in
tended to guard the interests Of the small
states in some degree, in case the event
should happen Of the election coming into
this House, and not as an advantage to the