Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-01-18

those gentlemen, VINO noW ausoea.S 'ne
nroposed amendment to the constitution
will then, if members of this house, be al
so the advocates for altering and amending
this part of the constitution--the trends
and advocates Of an equal representation
founded upon the population OF free'Persons
only. Twill not occupy the attention O
the house with further observations, or re-
peat what has already been said by gen
tlemen against the amendment: Will only
say that in my opinion it is neither neces,
sary or expedient to make the proposed
alteration in the constitution, and that
hope it vii not be made.
Mr. Thatcher. Having waited in e1.
pectation Of hearing the arguments of,gen.
tlemen in favor of the resolution, fee
regret at the silence which they have tho'l
proper on Secession TO observe. This
course, though not entirely novel, was net
anticipated upon aquestion of great nation.
al importance; subject which invites,
which demands investigation
Ny colleague CDR. Eus;isl has stated to
the House, that in the year '97, the legis-
lature of Massachusetts,, voted to instruc,
the Senators and to request the representa-
tives of that STATEN Congressto propose IN
alteration 81 the constitution similar TO that
now proposed. A gentleman from New
York (Mr. Thomas) has informed US that
similar vote passed the legislature Of that
state. AS these two statements are the
only answers (f such they can be consider
ed to the various arguments which have
this daybeen adduced, in opposition to this
resolution, and as the gentlemen who have
made them, appear to consider these votes
of the state legislatures obligatory upon the
members of the House who now represent
those states, beg leave to suggest a few
words in reply, and to state as succinctly as
possible some of the reasons which will in
ducc me to vote against the resolution.
An amendment of the constitution must
be sanctioned not only by two-lhirds Of
both Houses of Congress, but must be RAJ
tilted by three-fourths of the state legisla-
lures. The constitution considers these
different assemblies as entirely independent
of each other. They must act with per.
feet Independence upon this subject, or this
provision of the constitution is virtually
destroyed. Most certainly the resolution
of a state legislature in 1897, ought not to
controul the votes of members of this
House in 1903. It's conceive not only
their right, but their duty to decide upon
this question with the most perfect indie
pendence OF opinion.
1t has been already urged that the con-
stitutional mode Of electing the President
and Vice President is admirably well cal
culated to disappoint intrigue and prevent
corruption. Should an aspiring and dan
gerous faction obtain the ascendcncy in this
country, this mode Of election affords the
means OF counteracting its influence, OF
checking its controul. For although such
party will make the greatest exertions to
electth leader who may chance to be the
idol Of the day, willis the electors are OBJ
l;ged to vote fortwo candidates without de-
signaling which is intended for President,
those electors who are not devoted to the
interest OF the ruling faction, will exrcise
a preference OF great importance; they
will select the candidate least exception
able.
The article which this refoiution pyopofes
alter has always been cnnGGered as the gres,
barrier and lllicld Of the fmalcr haes gain9 tit
j slcfo&ehmenss Of III large. BY the prc(ent moo
OF eiettion, provided it eff tted by the slecto.
! esGt fate has lis due proportion ofinhicnce.
! bic decided by the I1euEt of,Repreiontatives.
the confitptiop hss PA, the i}ates apoo the groun
Of perfect equality. Butt The prop5fed alt-rs
ton takes place, it will undermine The OATS .
he contcderacy It will throw the whole powt
in this moH mpor,an election INTO the ,nds {
few tates exc4uliveFy. With thu prefent popu
lation, FIVE fates may, by combination, exclud
the other twelve from all participation in III
choice. II will be totsI!y im,3iiiblc by an,