The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1823-09-04
3boiiticat Disceitanp.
ron THE n. 1. REPUBLICAN,.

can be more offensive than any illegal arroga-
tion Of power, from whore (seeording to the
tenor Of our democratic ins,itu,ions, il righ,
fully pertains, the sovereign people. To this
source, slone deserving Of veneralion, we
ought every ono 10 look up lor public honor,
trust, proii or promotion. Office can only
be OF a delegated nature, and Is clearly re.
solvable into tho exercise of the privilege Of
popular election. Il was with pleasure there.
fore, I perDsed the address: in your late pa
per, Of a citizen among Us. The idea OF
aristocta,ic in n'etfetence, by Whatever set OF
men, was always disgusting and sthc'iog TO
me. Your correspondent has thoroughly in.
vesIigated ,he subject, with uncommon close
ness Of indactIvc reasoning snd accuracy OF
detail--snd hi, Investigation is complete
analysis. II is impossible, 1 believe, (were It
needfuD to add any thing further on ths,
head. Had We been ever SO Duch prejudic.
ed before, his remarks must be universally
felt as conclusive. What Sir, in free coun-
Hy. Inhabited by population more enligh,-
sned than 10 any other part OF the world, tor
they have received richer beneh's Of educa
ion--morc liberal, for they possess libe,y
ss their prime objec,--more v,t,uous, to-
they i,nitnte the example of unpoliuicd an.
eosors--in such. county and commuoiiy,
H the choice OF a first magistrate 10 be
sns,ched, bsrpy like, out OF the peoples
bs6ds, and committed to those, who, howeve'
honest they may be, or we'll meaning, are oo'
en,uied to tho excessive confidence they
place in themselves Let u. speak unworthi'
ly and in the way Of complaint OF no individu
sl. MeD Dstorully aspire 10 an assumption OF
aulhority---ard are governed by customary
feelings of sssociat!on nor arc they altogeth
Or 20 blame, il their constituents must aud
viii, tsmely and unblu,hing'y surrender for
misuse, their independent birthrigh,s The
fault in that case, H. rather not In them, but IN
US. We arc tho real sggfessov SUiIi Is II
e., tha, persons designated to represent ou'
state in the General Congress, whose duy
cnicins ,hem TO devise measures OF safety and
policy for the union. should depart from their
suS, and meddlo wiIh the choice oi Rice's,
which the constitution peves has reposed IN
theml 10 whot page or article oi that in
strument will they find this usu' 9a,ioo ius,i-
fed Is il from necessity The same cons,i
tuioo has sppoin cd electors to be chosen tor
the special purpose. Is the nanae' o! choo'.
ing these electors, in some instances imper.
feet? Ought IL 10 be done, by d,vidir. the
several states into districts, which humbly
consider the expedient mode Ee, the stale
Legislatures, IL they please, remedy hat giar-
Ing and important defect. IL Is the business
OF no private mao or sssembIage Of men, 10
legislate for the nation. A Caucus, (the torn
is our own, and discred,table TO republican
gove nmen,,) seldom can he hold, with pcr-
feet secusiy 10 the original 2ow;r os decgs-
zion vested in tho great body Of the people,
For certain ends il has been connived o,,
where dispatch Of eTars was requisite, or an
sppoin, men, was 10 be made, exempt hcm
tho embarrassment Of scattering votes, by the
people in the ordinary course. fhis IS tho
pre,ence, no doubt, members OF Congress al
Washington, have urged, bot 10 their excuse
a valid and Just one Other methods there
unquestionsbly a'e, by which j, may be nc,l.
ned TO the fecmen OF these United States,
who 10, o, IL not tho most capable poliuciao to
fiji tho President's chair. Yet the people
will uI,imstely Judge, and choose such ci,i-
zcps for electors, as will fairly exptess their
own sen,im sn,s and color OF thinking. The
Press Is only tho grand engine, TO distribute
fsr and wide the best in!or IN alton, in all pot.
heal concerns. ssy, Mr.. Editor, our Scna.
tots and Representatives arc honorable --sup
they will no longer DO entirely "a, tn when
they move within tho bounds prescribed TO
them by The constitution snd laws. They are
sbie--bu, they msy be g, for ono office, and
yc-y unG, for another. II Caucusses arc to
be allowed in minor proceedings, or Tor the
choice Of minor officers, in Gods name, Ie,
him who is to guide our des,inies, perhaps 10
fix ir,euievsbly our voc or welfare s' Amer
leans, who is the prime Representative OF the
American character and dignity, bs the legit'
innate offspring Of an unbiased parent. With.
oct derogatng from the merits OF Messrs
Crawford and Cisy. or Calhoun sod Jack'on'
We should OF ali times, be perfectly willing to
allow. they are compe,eo, and useful IN their
respective spheres. Admitting, land II would
be eaari,y to sdmi',) ihey are natu ally quail
fed N as high degree as John Quincy Al
ans, ,hs, they are gifted with ss much judg
meot, genius, prudence aod discretion, have
they been - minuteiy and eompoehensivel,
eonvessapt IN national uansactions both nj