The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-05-23
l0be Gnqutrer.
RICHMOND, esd MIR.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
1t has been cufomary for the republican
members of Congrefs to nominate the two can
o'dates, whom they conceived their connitu-
ems would prefer, for the Offices Of Pre(ident
and Vice-Preiident. No man will denv. that
this plan has very comfortable objections. II
ereets the majority of Congrefs into A fort of
foiiih diet. 1t confers upon every candidate,
VINO happens to be employed in any of the de-
Partments or the government, comfortable
iuper'orty over his more diftant and lefs DOW
erfui opponent. The one for inltance NAV
may be IN London; the other at Wafhinpton
BUT what argument is 70 ftrong as neceliity !?
What other method is there 70 competent to
e'"oody the national fentment? The mem
oers OF Congrefs come from difftrnt parts of
the country; they may be prefumed TO be ac-
quainted with the wihes of their cofttuents.
though their vote may in fonc cafes be fway
cd by intrigue, by the promife of promotion,
or oy the patronage actually exercifcd by the
Candidate IN Office, yet in what other way can
the choice ofthe nation be 70 difinGtly exprefI-
ed !?
Leave it to the people themfelves to fe.
ecs. But the people of one fate would fc-
eCt one candidate, and the people of another
'tate' another candidate. There mutt be fome
method OF collecting the public voice of pro-
duc'ng unanimity and concert. The Iaft cleo
ton furniihes us with memorable examnIs in
point. From the zvant of this concert, Aaron
Burr had precifeiy the fame number of votes as
Thomas Jefferfon. Adopt this method, there
tore' and no enc candidate could obtain ma
Jority OF the whole electoral votes. The con-
tequence would be, that the prefident would
be uniformly elected by Congrefs, & in that BODY
the choice is made by ftates. Delaware would
nave coniequentlyas nuchinfIuence as Virginia.
Leave IT to the majority of the republican
members OF each of the fate Legislatures TO fe-
iect- But here the very fame objection occurs.
One legislature could have but one vote: & each
legislature would have the very fame influence.
ln other words, Delaware would have AS much
influence IN the nomination of a PRECEDENT as
Virginia.
" 1t would be better, it is faid to have at once
nominatorsapponted by the different ftates, who
might convene at central place. Nav: il
would be better for the electors tbemfeIves to
form one Polfh Diet" intead of meeting as
they now do, each IN their reflective itates. 4"
We will not conteft the advantages of thefe
plans. Indeed, it is much TO be doubted, whe-
Their the latter plan is not better than the pre-
fent irrefpnntibIe mode of congre dional nomi-
nation. But thisis not our contribution at pre-.
tent. We mutt therefore purfue the belt fyftem
that our circumstances will permit
tbs admitted to he pe,y R,ong objection,
that Legislative and n0minatiye functions
hould be kept feparate that man ihould he
elected into Co1grefs with an eye only tohisouali-
hcations for enatting good laws & thatthis rare
merit fi,ould neverbe COMPOUNDED with the auto
matoU power Of nominating candidate. No
doubt this principle jsvery correct in the abfraet
but how is its pratice Are not the powers
of Prefdent almoft as important as thofe of
Cougrefs Il it not almoh as necefTary TO have
member who will nominate good Pyefdent,
as a member who will enact good L7zut |,
Should not his qualifications for the fri there
fore he refpe6ted, as well as his qualifications
for the lan ?
" But there is yet time enough to decide on
this iubect 1t will be three years before the next
PRECEDENT comes into power. Would it not then
be premature proceeding for the people to de-
eide upon this queftien? What if their IA
vourife candidate ihoud in the mean time prove
hmfelf unworthy of the Office % Let this argu-
ment be admitted to be irrefragable il is
itill to be recollectedj that though the next
PRECEDENT will not be nltalIed before the 4th of
March 1909, the electors will be appointed in
! 1903 the candidates will be nominated at the
fciiion OF congrefs in 18o7---s and that the
Virginia members Of congrefs will be vot-
ed for at our next f2ring election. Is it
not then time for rs TO confult the difpof-
ton OF our candidates with refpe6t to this great
qnettion! and to fufer this difpoition to enter
IN a certain degree, into the Ultimate of their
qualifications? If this precaution be not en-
ployed, is it not then incumbent upon the peo-
pie to inftrud their representatives
Far be it from us to deny, that the proieet
which we have ventured TO develope is fraught
with very ferrous objections. But there is
one remedy only, which it is the duty of the
people to prefcribe. Let them make the cleo
ton of PRECEDENT, a meafure Of much lefs inn
portance than it is under our prefent confti-
tuition. Leffbe Pe7Uer offbe Eseeutive be abyidg-
ed. On this grand innovation may depend the
very fafety of the republic.
AT time when Mr.. Jeferfon is foon expected to re-
tire from the head of affairs; at a time when
the nomination Of bis fucce1or is ahsnt 10 IN ,ane