Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-22

For his part, MIR. b. said, he had always been
| opposed to this proposition, believing it to be
frauSht with more mischief than it promised
good-and, so thinking, had heretofore ex-
pressed his opinion it. He was not only
willing but DESTROYS To hear the gentleman
from New Jersey present TO the Senate his
views in favor Of it. WhenI have heard him,
said Mr.. BIN the language of the q,akers,
If the spirit move me, also will express my
views ofthis question.
Mr.. DIcKERsoN said, If the spirit would
not move the gentleman without his help, it
would not move him at ALL No new argu-
ments, Mr.. ID. said, could be offered on the
subject There was probably not 0 man in
the Union who took any interest in the con-
Germs OF his country, whose mind was not full
" made up on the subject; and, if the gen.
tIeman from Virginia had made up his mind
upon it, las Mr.. d. believed he had) he did
not believe there was any occasion for now
debating it.
Mr.. Barbour, said, that, in inviting his hon
orabie friend to declare his reasons in favor of
the measures, he had intended 70 do him a
favor. Ite knew how much consideration he
had given to the subject, and was willing to
give him fair opportunity to present his
views TO the house. But, inasinuch as the
gentleman had declined accepting the invita-
ton, Mr.. b. proceeded briefly to deliver his
views OF this question. He adinitted, in the
outset, that his opinion was made up on this
subject; bat no matter how decided was his
opinion, nor how often he had pronounced il,
he still would listen to the voice of truth and
lreason-his mind was open to conviction, and
so, he hoped, was that of every member of
the Senate. In proceeding to argue the ,ner-
Its OF the question, he repeated the sentiment
| that, as regards the amendments to the Con-
stitutlon, whoever presumes to lay his hand
on it, must be satisfied that there does exist a
positive mischief, for which, in his opinion, his
amendment proposes a certain remedy. Not
| that he considered it proclamation in any man.
ner to touch the Constitution. Entertaining
| Tor It rational loyalty, he should consider it
an amusement OF character, were he to look
at that which is the work Of human hands, as
| IT 1t were an emanation of divinity. 1t was
the work ofimperfect man. Those who franz
ell u, knew that the human mind was on the
march that new epoch had arrived, and
That improvement in the science of govern
meDt was rapidly going on. They therefore
provided the mode by which alterations could
be made IN the Constitution. But, Mr.. B.
said, he, for one would not give his vote to
make any change in the Constitution, unless
he felt moral certainty that that change
would be AN improvement. Mr.. b. congratu-
lated the Senate on the guarantee for the se-
4 S''ity VI GOuolllutlu1, ueTlNeQ from
| general impression to this effect, which pre-
vailed among the people, who prize too high
| ~ the good they now enjoy, to suffer it to be
put to the hazard of untried experiments
His first objection to the particular amend
! ment now before the house, was, that it pro-
posed to disturb the principle of compromise
between the large and the small states, which
lies at the foundation of our government and
IS to be discovered in every page of the consti-
tuition. 1t beloved the Senate to look toit, that
they did not break an arrangement, made up
on this ground, by taking away the peculiar
advantage of portion of the parties to the
compact, yet leaving III existence the con-
sideration given for it. Such, he apprehend-
ed, would be the effect of the success of this
amendment. IRthe constitution ofthis house,
the little state ofDelaware was invested with
equal authority with the great state of n. York
for, Mr.. b. said, he would not talk of his
own state-the comparison did not hold so
strongly by selecting her for an example of
contrast, since another star had arisen in our
constellation more important than herself
What compensation Mr.. b. asked, was Civ
| en- to the large states for this inequality ? 1t
! was to be found in the provisions respecting
the election of President certainly, in which
New York-bas voice, as 90 to greater than
Delaware. In the event of non-elpction of
President by the Electors, the election rs,
according to the Constitution, to devolve on
the House Of Representatives. How, said he,
IS the question to be decided in that BODY p
BY plurality of voices? No; each state is
then placed on an equal footing The Repre-
eentatiyes prepare their ballots, but each
state gives only one vote; and, although the
state ofDeaware rs scarcely visible on the
Map of the Union, she acquires, in that pro-
cess, weight which balances the great state
of rev York. Let me ask, said Mr.. b. il
the tendency of the amendment be not to
transfer the election of President from the
Electors TO the House of Representatives
and whether i'll that view, its adoption be de-
sirabe? Whilst the election is confined tc
four and twenty states, there can be but So
many persons voted for as there are states
But, he said, the probability is that the mum
Der of members of the House of Representa-.
tives VIII continue TO ncrease--he feared, in
deed, ITS increase was as inevitable as that Of
the people. When that house amounted to five
hundred or thosand members, and the mum.
Der OF electors was increased in correspond
eDt measure, all to be chosen by districts, what
a scene would ensue Every village, accor
J ding to the old adage, has its great man ey-
cry district in the United States believes that
It contains an individual who is fit to be the
President Of the United States. Do you sup.
pose, said MIR. B. from what you have alrea
!, dy seen of our history, that we shall ever be
short Of candidates for the Presidency Look
sir, at the signs of the times, and it must b,
admitted they are fruitful generation, which
there IS no reason to fear will ever become
extinct When there were from five hundred
to a thousand electoral districts, as under tn,
provisions of this amendment there might be
with each one its candidate for the Presideu.
, cy, could it be reasonably expected that tn,
4 a r. - = r