Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-11-14
DOMESTIC.
LEGISLATURE or NEW J

OD tnt recurrence OI an election OF
President aud Vice President OF the u. S.,
the annual meeting OF The Legislature Is
transferred from Its usual period TO this
time, III consequence at The choice of
electors 10y that BODY and netwi,hsiand.
ing an adjourned session has been con-
sldered txpedient after the Transaction III
extraordinary business, Yet II has been
usual tor the executive 10 make ms com
muuicaiioH at the first meet,ng--auh az.
tins measure Is recommended by lis salu-
,ary tendency, and will enable the legis-
laure In lis recess 10 brstow deliberate
attention on the subjects recommended 10
iheir consideration, and TO consult The
sense, sud understand the views OF Their
constituents, shall not hesitate o compl,
with the customary rule on this occasion.
la ver,ipg To the object OF Tins anlicI
pai-d ueei,ng II will readily occurio you,
how much better calculated it would be 10
promOie economy, and To preserve the
purity OF republican government, aud
how much more c,nsonant with he re.
preventative principle, il the choice o.
electors were brought nea er home 10 the
people. Indeed, 1t must he considered
striking imperteciIon IN The naiLoUai con-
su,ution, that no uniform rule has been
p cscrlbrd on 'hs .I''irct. H. some
States, electors are chosen by the people
by districts in others by general tick
ct; ami IN a few by The legislature {: the
last mode Is certainly the most objection
able. A body mol numerous, and select
ed TOR several mUuihs previoCs 10 The pc
riod OF action, Is exposed TO the opera
lions ot intrigue, and IL not so safe de-
posltory oil this great trust, az the con-
muni,y al large. In some cases ii minority
OF the people may choose a majority OF
tile Legislature. The election OF That body
IN time OF public tranquility may be
made without much reference TO lbis OH
Iect, and there is such a considerable in
lerveUIng time before the choice Of cleo
Tors, that iull and fair expression OF ti,e
pubic sentiment may uot take place, or
may be defeated. The people are certainly
less liable 10 impropcr influence than ANY
other body OF men, anu IN their purity,
liscernmenl. aud public spirit, We must
rely fer the stab liy and permanence OF
our republican institutions.
Nheni bad The honor of occupying
seat III the legislature, | was so torcIbly
Impressed with considerations OF tins
nature, That esteemed il nv duly I'D in
ioduCe an amendmeNi 10 the constitution
predIcaied on district elections by the
people Thi> principle was sanctioned
that time, aud since by the Legislature -
bui It hos never been engrdited into ;hr
constitution. AZ u may be supposed that
those states where district elections are
established, viii not be III "A situation lo
express an undivided opinion, aud viii
therefore he placed IN a worse position
ihau those where general choice pre-
walls, would suggest the eXpediency of
providing IN future for d choice by The
people, Of electors by general ticket,
cniii an uniform rule by districts is con
suiulloually established. This will place
tht choi,, "a HE principal may straie 81
The patton where IL ought Ia be : more
completely within the control OF the soYe-
reign authority. Add as there are nov
Two intervening hOnt.s, between the pro
pie ~ Iils state, and the aelecliOn OF
President and Vice President, see no
reason why the principle of the exclusion
should be appliedalmOsi entirely to them.
In The course OF your proceedings YOU
" u also be called upon 10 elect scna-
Tor OF The United Siaifs. The position
0i cur rational concerns will undOnilird-
~ demand tine utmost cITCumspeCiInn,
IA we'll on thls subject as on HE more
immediate object OF your meeting. In
order 10 meet the Differences Of tie ma,
'Ional revenue, great Tcjscuchmenis must
be made in our expCud lures, aud wise
plans OF finance must be adopted. Our
resources may be cherished, aud the e.
Is OF heavy taxation or increasing debt
IN Y be aveTied by 'h abolition of use
less offices. by the elimination OF expcn.
sive establishments, and bS The culIiva
Ton ni that economy WHICH is most con-
rul t.ftfl 4. ft,a -.
government, aud which is regaired b,
the great pressure Oithe nation kreping
however, always steadily IN view Tic
public defence, and the general SAFETY.
In order IT, resuscItale The prosperity OF
= community, il il also necessary to
cherish The interest of productive indus
rS, and 10 promote the iOterHal improve
meni of the cOu try
81 - w ne regretted HAT the collision
wi,icb took place at the lasi session OF
congress, relative TO the prohibition OF
sdyery in neW state, should have been
aieuded with 80 much irritation, sBd
hat u should be considered as an al
tack OH the local authorities, aud an a.
Tempt to- violate Tie rights Of properly. IN
states where slavery has been establish.
ed by law, u ~ not in the power OF tie
Aaiional government TO interfere aud all
regulations on tbs subject must proceed
" Im The local governments but in the
admission OF new states into the union.
!, IS ihe duty OF congress 10 protect the
great obligations OF morality, TO enforce
the principles ot The Americas reyolu
t'uU, aud 10 consult lhs paramount and
peTnaucAt interests al The empire.
As member Of the American COnfed-
eracy, u Is no, only orr duty, but our
interest, TO sustain the responsibility,
an 10 promote the authority OF the Da-
lional government by patriotic aud en-
lghiened exercise Of our suflrages, aud
by contributing all our energies 10 es-
iablIsll wise and public administration.