The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-03-30

any ftnat0r OF the United Statsa who ma,
have been elected hythem.'' IN examining the
ipr"pristy of this amendment, it becomes us 20
diF'ngIiih between the evil 10 be redreffed, and
the remedy to be admininere5. Is there in fatt
any detect in this part of the contributions as il
now fands The fenators now hold their feats
during term Of Fix years. But can no rr9fon.
| ahie objection be mace 70 this long dura: ion of
office /! Why do the (eptennial parliameuts OF
England excite we'll founded clanlors in that
country! 1t is reiponihtyof the officer
to the people aSbcen converted intoa vain & uf-
lets privilege. Yet fenator ofthe u S. holds his
teattor only one yearleis ANA Birth common
er. And vhywas this long period of lervice intro
| dnced Principally to intnre greater integrity,
witdom experience in that Department whicn
involves 70 many important functions, both of
an executive, legislative, and even Judiciary ma
ture. But are thele Qualifications to be ac-
quired inno other way? Does no. the srd fec
ton of the contribution, which fixes the age IF
a tenator at 80 years, promote this delirable Oh
lect Does not the important nature ofthe truft
impofc upon the ioveregn legislatures the me-
GETTY Of ele6ting theswiielt, the mott expert
cnced, and mot vlrtuous men Have we NOT
actually diicovered that fuch Elections have
been uniformly made, and that the other Offices
ct the government have become the political
Gymnafa for qualifying them for thefe impor-
tant duties! Is it not probable then that the
y PN.'NN W. iNi''NS may WilnOul lid
terialy detratting from the neceHary quaiificati-
ons of that body:
Lett then be conceded that this part of the
contribution requires amendment, where it may
be demanded is the proper remedy to DC april
ed? It is to be found in the proportion OF Mr..
/ Nchoion; that each fenator ihould hold al
zvW of the ftate Legislatures Mott probably
not; but to the understanding of Mr.. Nicholfon.
it might have conicientiouly appeared the only
! fate and efficient CORE Give.
| Where then fhall we find thofe unanfwera-
! bic arguments, which are intended 10 denop-
I rate, that even Mr.. Randolph and Mr.. Nj
cholfon are the enemies OF the contribution! If
! the prOpoted amendments are recommended BY
! iome advantages, where let it Ne aiked isthe H.
berality or the correctness of attrbuting 10 their
| authors, fnch vague and general de(ign True,
it may be flid but are not thefe proportions
evidently marked by the petulance of PaDfonf
Does not the time of bringing them forward,
! Immediately upon the acquittal of Judge Chale,
| provost? Now, what very fair Inference this
is! Becaufe they were bro'tforward during this
hort interval, therefore they were originally
dictated by ditappointment and PATTON. Would
it not be as fair TO fay, that thele amendments
had been maturely confdered, 'eye the termi-
nation of the impeachment; that this was the
great experiment, by which the proprety of
the preient constitutional arrangements was to
DC decided; and that the unfortunate iilue OF
that trial contributed to add an irrefftibIe ar
:, Sument for the propriety of iuch amend
ments?
But Mr. Randolph, it is faid aau-
0HF declared, that 6 in republican govern.
ment there oughttobe no written contribution"
We demand the evidence for this alIcrtion: AID
we are referred to commonyeport, to vulgar ru-
mOur, to fome uncandid Interpretation of par
ty-fprit. Mr.. r. might baDr declaredtbat a
written contributions, would he of little avail in
protecting the liberties of the people, if the peo~
pie did not poileis vigilance enough, to prevent
its infringement. AS he has very eloqueutly
and truly affirmed: &c the pcople may go 10
RET with parchment under their heads ard
they Will awaken with letters on their hagds''
But the federal party have coniured up a new
phantom to alarm the friends of the conilituti-
on. Their imagination has connected the pre-
tent movements in Pennsylvania with the two
late amendments propo!ed TO the federal con-
ttItution they have allnmed the facts that the
! advocates for calling d convention in that fate,
are actuated by the fame revolutionary princi-
pies with the movers of thefe amendments;
that thefe movers are aGtnated by the fame
principles which operate upon number of the
republicans; and they conclude from thefc
vague conjeGt res, that a number OF the repub-
licans are determined to profrdte the beft priu-
cples of our federal conititution.
When facts thus vaguely afumed. no
conclufons "The advocates of conventi-
on are actuated by revolutionary principles"
And are there no real defects in their pref-nt
contribution, by which we may explain this
meaiure without having recourle to the opera
ton ofrevoiutionary principles ? Among o.
Their amendments they with to a5ridge the ex-
orbitant powers of their governor, bt Gde whom
the governor of Virginia is powerlefs
officer. " The fame revolutionary principle with
the movers Oft efeamendments" Where arethe
proofs of this identity Of views & combination of
fors?The 2objeGtsare Observation-Disclosures
as well as different in the manner of their attain
ment. The friends of two federal Innovations
to be obtained by fmpe and eaGy procefs,
may be confidently oppofed to the fate iDno-
vations propofsd, ds well as TO the calling of
convention in Pennsylvania which might endan-
| ger the bef provilions of their condituton.
"Thefe men are attuated by the fame princi-
| pies, which operate upon comfortable num-
Der of the republicans" Is this fa6! Has
the great body of republicans avowed their APP
probation of thefe amendments? Do you hear
it in private circles Do you fee it in the public
prints? Indeedhasthereb eentneenoughtowe weigh
thisfnbject & TO colIe6t tie public lentineni Ii
is believed in faGt, that the republican voice
will be oppofsd to thcfe innovations, much AS
| they may approve of the motives of the movers .