Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-08-31

opinion by observing that where the members
ofthe house of representatives are, from ne
csssity, permitted to interfere ID the eieca .'
they are comp u ed to vote BY states. he
constitution thus, in every Case, maintaining
the principle, that the chief magistrate IS to be
chosen by the states, in their separate, sove-
reign capacities.
\ i is perfectly MANIFEST therefore, that those
who compose a congressional caucus are, e2-
cept in one event, and that In the last extre-
nifty, excluded by the express words OF the
constitution, fror, intermeddling IN the cleo
ton of a president. Can their attempt then III
the first instance, to nominate the candidate
for that Office, be consistent with It's spirit
Who should nominate Some among the
states which enjoy the constitutional rlght 70
elect. Surely none of those persons, whose
interference is cautiously prohlelted. as 'cem-
ing with danger, and who are therefore made
subject to an incapacity imposed upon no 0,
Their citizen; and yet, these prohibited ana
disqualified characters are to stand lorth ana
designate the president, with an authority so
conclusive, that to differ from them, and exer-
else an independent right, agreeably to the
letter and spirit of the constitution, IS s'lgna-
tised as nothing short Of political hefesy
The very power possessed by congress OF
selecting among the different candidates,
where a choice has failed through division
of the electoral votes, although may 0e' ana
4ve 6elieDe has been, the motiUe and stouna
4vork If congressional nominations, ought, l"
all deIicacy and fairness, to be an insuperaols
bar araiast them. The bias OF that nonliha-
ton is certain of influencing the result OF that
selection. The connection between a nomi-
nation originated through members OF Coz
gress, and an eventual choice By them con-
formally thereto, is obvious, and has, we rear
been contemplated. But is it consistent with
the spirit Of the constitution, or the principles
of Justice, that those should decide IN the last
appeal, who had made themselves partlsans IN
the first resort, and had committed themselves
by previous engagements
We are aware of the distinction taken by
the members of congress. When making
those nominations, they affect to act only III
The capacity of private citizens. Is 1t posi-
bic TINT the good sense OF the community can
be deceived by sach shallow artlhCe Ii IN
good faith they mean 10 act only as private CT
tizens, let them do so in their respective states
to Which the right of election, and the conse-
ouent right of nomination belong. There (rt
any wherel their influence would be correctly
exercised. But at the very scat OF govern
ment, on forbidden ground, that almost all the
disqualified persons in the union should as
senb.e and designate presidential candidate,
seems to us something like an indecent IN
frngement of the rights of the states, and an
open contempt Of the provisions OF the consu-
:ution If the members of the house OF re-
representatives. were to assemble, and point oct
to the president and senate a foreign ambas-
sador or Judge, would Ii not be considered
as nonstrous arrogance How then are we
to characterize the act Of the same men, and
of the senate, who, Notwithstanding their per-
sonal disabilities, presume to nominate to the
respective states the officer whom they are
required to choose Suppose the two houses,
by concurrent resolution, recommended q
candidate for the chief magistracy; who would
hesitate to say it was violation OF the constl-
tuition IT. then, such an act BY them IN the
forenoon, would be a Uioiati0n, IS not the very
same act, by the very same men, In the alter
noon, al least an eUaSion Of tie constitution
Are not The mischicfs to which we have allud-
ed and those we are about to suggest, as likely
to result from their vote In caucus, as from
their vote in congress Indeed Of two evils,
| let us choose the least. II they are to inter-
fere, lei them do it in such a way as that their
conduct may be fairly cosnizable by their con-
stituents. II they must act, let them act at
least under their official responsibility.
IF we are not much mistaken, we have de-
! monstrated that nominatlon to the preslden-
cy by members of congress, is rePugnant to
| the constitution; we shall now vlndicate that
instrument. by showing that the measure, II 1t
shall grow Into usage, will also be dangerous
to the rights of the people, and to the purity
and freedom of election. {" 1t 1t shall grow
| into usage y and has it not already grown IN
to usage? Is it not migrating itself upon cur
institutions, and acquiring strength after The
| manner Of all other successful usurpations
i Even now aCuulescence in the regular 7ionii-