Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-12-27
notremoved, will infest and poison the
body polite. hope it will be extirpa-

on the opinions of majority OF the peo-
pie, if lii truth the people are not their
own worst enemies, let your electors be
created Immediately by, and come di-
rectly from the people. When you do
that, and not till then, YOU will be certain
that Your President holds his office by
the consent and at the request Of Il ma
iority Of the people over whom he pre-
sides.
Mr.. Je.cett Of VT proposed division
of the question, SO as to take the sense
separately on the two parts of the resoln-
ton: as some gentlemen world be lncli-
ned 10 vote for one who would not vote
for the other.
Mr. Ross OF Pa. said, that, for his own
part, he had notgiven to this subject that
attention which it nerited, and was not
prepared TO vote on il at this moment
The views which had been presented by
gentlemen who had spoken, were inn
pressive, and had excited his reflection
Oh the question. Still, he was not con-
vinced, until hehad further opportunity
for consideration, that the mode proposed
by the resolve, was the best possible that
could be adopted. Mr.. X. said, he was not
satisfied, ifal amendmentin regard to the
mode of choosing Electors was necessary,
that one greatly preferable 10 that now
before the House might not he adopted.
When the constitution had been.0rigi-
nally framed, it had been supposed, he
said, that the members Of the Electoral
Colleges would get together, and consult
as to the best persons upon whom TO be-
stow their votes but the practice under
the constitution had shewn this expecta-
ton 10 be idle, and that the election did
not in fact turn upon the principle on
which the Convention had intended to fix
it. On the contrary, the Presidential
candidates were fixed and announced be-
fore the election Of Electors. Mr.. r.
thought the mode of election ought TO be
changed, but doubted whether the mode
proposed would be the best. Might not
the election, he asked, be better trusted
at once TO the people Why the inter
vention of Electors Surely the whole
body of the people would be less subject
TO bribery and corruption than any small
Ter body. Ii did appear to his mind, as
| al present impressed, that TO the people,
and to them only, could the election be
safely confided; and that all the present
machinery for electing President, which
is sometimes welded by mere legerde-
main, corruption or unfair influence, be
| put out of the way. This power would
| beno longer dangerous when confined to
the people themselves. AS to themode Of
electing Representatives, Mr.. r. did not
see any great objections to it +: but TO at
tain the gen;lemans object completely,
the choice should be restricted to the dis
trict by which an individual is chosen
This feature, however, might be added by
an amendment to the resolution. Not
having, he said, made up his mind on this
subject, and presuming that number
Of the committee were in the same sltua-
ton, and considering the importance OF
| the subject on which they were about to
act, he moved that the committee would
Use and report progress.
Mr.. Calhoun, in acceding TO this motion
took the opportunity TO observe, that he
| considered this question of great impor-
lance. He thoughtthe proposed amend
meut to the constitution, ifadopted, would
remove some evils which experience has
shewn to exist, and which, in future time
| if mcorrected, may menace the existence
| of the Republic. He therefore thought
this subject entitled to the most mature
| consideration.
| The committee rose, reported progress
| and obtained leave TO sit again.