The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-04

II they arc tontariere, let them do It in such way
as that their Conduct may be fairly coynizabe by
their Constituents. II they must act, let them &C.
ut least under their official responsibility.
Awe are not much mistaken, have demon
strated that nomination to the presidency, by
members OF congress, is repugnant the constitu-
tons VIC shall now vindicate that Instrument, by
showing that the measure, it it shall grow Ato usage,
will also be dangerous to the rights OF The people, x
to the purity and freedom OF election - II it shall
grow into usage" and mas it not already grown in
to usage Is it not migrating itself upon our in
stutons, and acquiring; strength after the manner OF
all other successful usurations Even now, ac-
quiescence III the regular nomination ut Washing
ton, by many considered ,he tombstone Of re-
publcansm. The individuals, or the state that dare
to exercise the right OF independent choice, are
denounced AS schismatcs and factionsts and If al
ready an innovation so recent, and so fragrant, be
called the regular nomination, what will be its iriu-
ence, should time and repetition give ii additional
| sanction Let the Entertainments of constituted
| authorities, upon every free government that has
| been undermined, furnish the answer. Should the
| practice become nveterate, we do not hesitate 10
say, that to promuigate nomination will be 10 de-
cree the election. The congress viii appoint the
President, the constitutional electors will be mere
| officers to register its edicts.
| Would this change in our system produce benei-
| ciaI results At best il would euiauger the indie
pendence of the executive, by giving congress AN
influence over the measures of government, never
contenplatedby the constitution, and calculated to
DIMINISH the responsibility of the President, the peo
pies only security for his faithful conduct in Office
| The chef magistrate of the union would owe his
elevation and continuance in Office to unto Of
| gressmen, and not to the nation. 4 sovereign right
OF the states would be absorbed in cong ress;onal in
| fuence, sacrificed to executive patronage, and
| an inestimabe control. provided by the constitution
over the measures of tho federal administration and
vested in the states would be thus defeated and des
| troyed. But in truth, the general governms mt
would be made to depend upon itself, and upon its
N q "A nh ntrso, and
| intriguing through cabal
II the heads OF departments, with their clerks and
the other persons holding Offices oftr,st aud profit
under the Y, States. were assemble in their int-
vidua capacities, at the capitol at Washington, and
nominate q presidential candidate, would You not be
disguised and shocked and yet 10 you believe that
they are passive spectators of regular caucus NOM
| ,nation Mark The danger ut least, that on some
| future occasions, men whose station and standing,
nay, whose very bread may der eu,i upon the n
tlnuance of the administration, will cultivate
the opportunities of private friendship, of official
tercourse, OF familiar hospitality, OF public magnifi-
cence; vii, labor the Understandings, engage the
hearts, work upon the weaknesses, and perhaps
tamper with the pury az Your representatives, col
eeted they will be in the very focus of executive
| influence and having made them fitting instru-
ments viii remain in the back ground, but in fact
| promulgate the nomination of their peculiar
patron and protector, or perpetuate the success
SION, 1t not ia the same family, at least in the same
dynasty
| able, we do not wish 10 inquire but rather pro-
| coed to indicate another danger which would grow
out of this change of system, and become daily
more imminent from the increasing Importance of
| this country AS yet we hope, no foreign power has
attempted to influence the elections of our chief ma
sstrate. The thing isimpossble, SO long the pro-
visions of the constitution are observed in spirit as
well az etter.-Wh ile the choice of that officer is
IN truth made by the states, no foreign agents can
approach them, or bias their suffrages-and thus a
calamity thar has harrassed Poland, Venice, Genoa,
the Papal See, almost every other people having an
elective executive, is affectually guarded against
But rise IN the scale Of nations, should
centre the real electors Cor at least those whose
nomination is to be received as the first regular
step to an electOn) in the place, and that too
the residence of foreign minister, whose diplomatic
Office 1t often is to conciliate and corrupt,
be 50 foolish as to suppose, that the opportunity
would be neglected by them of obtaining hold
in our councils, and control over our govern
4 mept
| These are our convictions respecting the uncon-
| sttutionaty and dangers OF congressional nomina-
tons. Were We not restrained by respectior many
of the individuals concerned in them, We would ex-
| patiate on them as public offence and did We
not hope that general repsobation would hencefor-
ward abolish their use, we should urge their pro.
hibtjon by law. Very different indeed is the nomi-
nation by individual States. Though not enjoned
by the constitution, it is perfectly consistent with its
principles, and can never produce any inconveni-
ence but the number of candidates, which would at
least be accompanied with the advantage of Afford
ing greater opportunity for udicious SELECTION
| The Inconvenience however is merely imaginary,
| and would never have practical existence. Mutual
forbearance, reciprocal intercourse, and good un.
derstanding would be established by tile common in
terest. Circumstances would almost always decide
which state should nominate. The acknowledged
celebrity or worth OF some prominent character,
the propensity to rotation, the Importance of some
members of the confederation, and other similar
considerations, would combine to indicate the state
from which the chief magistrate for a should
be taken. If any one among them should be per-
petually urging pretensons & claiming superiority
or should seek to retain to ITSELF monopoly of ho
power, the spirit of independence, equality
and participation in the other states, would check its
pretensions and teach it moderation.
(ConclHSion in or ncst)
(BY AUTHORITY