Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-08-19

that Notwithstanding Nh the patriotic laloys or ,Ac
cAurrs the election deyc,es AT last the House OF
Representatives voting by Staiesl Thus tins prac-
teal amendment becomes no ame ndmert at an aud
nm uoavaiug use of 1t may exhibit this admirable
of the wisdom of our elective s,iutions
may lie recommended ny the caucus. may re-
ceiNe the greatest number OF electoral votes aud c \
may he elected PreSlden, by the House OF Repre-
seuiatiVes
Having pointed gu, the tefeo, in tho Constitution
81 the United States, which we all acknowledge, !
and having shewn that The remedy nroposed is sub
s'anially change IA the Constitutions rreeulntiy
and unconsuonally effected, and thirdly, that it IS |
~ itself an evil perhaps quite avs great As that iu,end-
ed to be removed, am bound myself 10 suggest "a
remedy by regular aud constitutional amendment.
The presen, ,,,p ,s ,,, II is fact, worthy of our
inr President tho serious notice. that ihe pco-
weakest part OF our sys- pie OF the United States
NmJ have not made single H.
nendmeni, us 20 The mere
organization oil our government, excep, in relation TO
Inc very subject nov under consideration This fact
shows our constitution to he, in this part, weaker
than IN any other part Ii is IA truth the weakest
part oi the whole system, and most assuredly will
ne, Unless amended, the first tina, gives way In is
also worthy nj remark, that the part of the comstu-
ton OF the United States now within our immediate
view, BETRAYED It's deficiency, within the short peri
nd OF twelve years after the adoption of The Consti-
luton and in fact, within four years after he very
first election, IN which the discovery could have been
made
Under this view of this part of our constitution,
" otcomes Us to examine, whether amendment
can he formed nn principles entirely republican, and
IN ull harmoay with the provisions ard objects of
me existing constitution, 10y which we can secure
Tue purity and tranquility of our Presidential elet-
uons II such An amendment can lie devised we
Ought not To hesitate about It's adoption
IL IS not my lntenton To exhibit an amendment
IN The form aud terms in which II should he offer
RED To the Legislature of state, or to the Congress
ct the United States. |, is sufficient for nv IN esent
purpose, merely to present the two great points,
winch ought TO be embraced by the amendment re-
IquIred
,p,o,. The FIRST point is the esiab.
,io, syslem- shmen, of the district sys-
gress voting uer r5p, tenn nt election throughout
The second, that, whenever an event shall occur.
winch transfers the eecrihg power from the people
the transfer shall he TO Congress cenerav both hous-
e' Vonn together, ins'Sner and per capita.
-yvhs,,,, .;,;. The first point may he
proportinn ar ri, ,r.n' brought into the amend
number TO e,ectl ment IN one of three dif.
ierent ways
l. m0y he provided aud rcuniretl tina, the prrson
voted lar ~ President, by the electors mast have as
now, ia order TO he elected majority of the whole
number Of electors
rms provision, according 10 The preceding rea.
sonng, VIII probably leave the chances of an cleo
ION by The people, just where they now are I say
ro""o'y, because II IS not certain that the district
system, whith will call the whole nation into action
wv! ""' produce greater coincidence Of opinion, than
can he expected under the different systems Of elect
,g electors prevailing throughout the United States
- Wv chahceS OF an election OF President by the PEG
ne amendment must Toe sought for in the second
provision, which substitutes all Congress voting rer
capita, Tor the House OF Representatives voting nv
states This, admit, is q great benefit a very neal
one well WORTHY of being taken If ma otler con hs
Obtained Aud this benefit NAV be rendered still
more essential, by restricting the selection of Con-
gress to one OF The two highest on the list Under
S"oh an arrangement, failure TO elect President
Wo"d tie almost an impoSsihiiy. The measure
therefore, which shall guard Us aud mankind froa,
sue" calamty, IS well entitled to Cur most serious
a = /
ourselves. II our example fail ii the Jennie which
we nave consecruied 10 Union and Liberiy shall be
permitted 10 iali HE friends of free government will
feceive heavier blow from u.s. than from The armies
Of the allied despois, aided by The Jealous diplona,c
cD-OperdtjOV of ae4traL Brian
", % may be provided, that the person elected
mus nave tnoI majority hun greater number of
eIe''"r' votes ihan any other person and that this
greater number shall he one ihud, 18th, 9TH &c Sc
Oh me whoie number /; Is apparent thai the reduc-
u"h OF me emc'ent number increases, according TO
e extern ni Tue reductions the chance of an election
plan first suggested
) Or 1t may be simply required that the person
any Other person.
10 this event, the election will he invariably made
ny iie people, except whore two or more have an
.t'i hummer confess that my present impression
IN favour ct thus ihitd provision II is true that
me federalis. quoted above says that il might
ne unsafe TO permit less than majority to be con
!
stated as an opinOH--is NOT shown TO us and ac-
Knowledge that cannot fnd my way TO it, In some
W He olates, alO Ifies are required for the State
assemblies and Tor Congress in Others, in Virgina
or instance, the greatest number prevails The
hehetii IN the iisi has never been perceiVed.
ihe inconvenience Ofthe last has never heen felt
IntTn-'cay, the requsition Of a majority in favour of
one man, where there are several competitors, an.
pears TO he wrong for, f the first vote is honest the
second cannot give a majority, except in name. The
people cannon change their opinions, though rsey
may chA"Ee their votes, or they may fail TO attend
~ eI'her case, he majority is nominal nominal AS is
the unannty Of jury, who agree 10 a verdict while
they differ III opinion
But what i, the measure adopted by The consii,u.
uoh 10 g"nfd against the possible mischief Of giving
fn'ci 10 the vote oi a number less Than a najury
when that number exceeds any other? What is 10
he done It The people instead OF giving man hare
mD'T"y, gave bIm one less than majority The
answer Is 10 remedy the grievance arising from the
want oil MINORITY among the people, the election is
pat Iuio tte hands OF those among whom the numbers
u o. 10 20, 81, 70, /, 9 90, s. r. II, are all equal
numbers d! :!
do not mean 10 discuss this subject: have m,
leisure 10 examine IL ia al It's details and 10 STATE The
result But mere iS ono view Of the 81 proposition
winch has ~ nav estimation, irresistible attraction IL
cuts mp intrigue, ereJg Wbere bv the roofs or rather
u does not leave spot where The seed can be soved
u any hing Is 10 be SAID ~ relation To the election
u must be sdh 10 Tic people il any thing is TO be
done, u must be done IN the face ofddy The State
Lsgslatwes will he deprived nf al influence direct
Indirect, VA the election Congress will neve, be
called 40 10 act except ~ an eqrali!y of VOTES
0Gce perhaps in century and then the manner of
voting rlsures au Immediate decision ~ such =,
sy-f'ui is manifest, ihHt lie people will be- rs FAR
o Ga the o." are Of things jhcy be- the atbers Of
'hr election.
Under this So ten, we are not only assured Of an
election, Oul o ' pFaceiulness and purity. Against
the igrsiimble heneit Ol certainty and peace p,ced
! 80 one scale, what you place in tie oihpr
mere shadow mcrr appre heison that " IL may he
unsafe TO Perni less than majority TO be conclu-