Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-11-11

he number Ia be wrought upon. by the same
limited means, YOU lessen the ipdu, ement with
'ach individual. Hence would infer, il WAS
more difficult 10 obtain "A recommendation
from CO. 80 ar 100 men whose expectations oI
reward depended upon the success of their
candidate with the electors than to influence
81 nfthesc same men. who had the right To
make the appointment and realize their hopes
hv their own acts. five apprehrnd any thing
like an improper influence operating ON the
mrmbers Of Congress, when they assemble in
their private capacity for the purpose "fnnm
ing an individual as Il proper character for Pre-
sdrnt, how cautiously should we avoid that
state of things which would induce them To
yield tn the temptation, bv placing the prize
within their reach, they having the right to
appoint, and depending ON their own rxerious
tn realize Upon the score of numbers and
personal Influence, the caucns and the cleo
tors will be al,nut equal indeed there should
he stronger personal regard manit;,strdby one,
than the other of these communities. il ~il be
because the one was better acquainted with
the private virtues of the candidate than the
other. On the score nf corruption, il will ope-
rate stronger with the mnDib.rs of Congress,
than with the members of the caucus. for thu
reasons already assgDed-though apprehend
no danger from either. From these premises
it appears evident to me, that we hazard less
by a caucus nomination than we should do If
the President was appointed by the House of
Representatives
Mr.. Niles in the Register. and writer who
signs himself Phocion. have stated some con
stitutlonai objections TO a caucus-But their
objections seem rather TO grow out of the
REGULARITY of supposed case. than applica-
bile TO the principle geneially--They say in su
many words" that IA caucus nomination ought
not to he resorted To at this time, because il
may prevent that dormant power in the con
stifutlon, heihg brought into operation, which
gives to the III. of Representatives the right TO
appoint the President" or in other words, that
the Electors should not appoint, for if they do
the IL. of II. will be deprived of the exercise of
tins collateral power of appOnting.-Wth
great defer ence TO the opinions of these gen
tlemen-I humbly con"eiye the same reason
which influenced the large states, and justified
them IN consolidating their votes (which
change, Phocion certainly approved of in
Virginia, at least) now applies with equal furce
In favor of caucus nominaion.-WhenV ir
gina elected by districts her physic force and
poilticaI influence was sometimes lost, al
ways weakened by "A diversity of opinion ~
mong her electors which gave to the small
states an undue influence i'm the appointment
OF the chief magistr ate Now if Virginia was
ustitiable in resortng tn this device To retain
her full weight in the election, it appears to
be nothing more than an application of the
same principle TO broader scale when we re-
sort to- caucus nomination, for the purpose
of concentrating the vote Of the Republican
party ln,iavOr ola particular individual What
would 1t avail for the several states To coucen-
trate their respective votes, if the vote of rscli
state was To receive different direction or
the RepnhIcans to have ma ority, if their
strength is lost by dsunion ?
This consolidation of the state vote was not
resorted 10 defeat the Constitution, or To de-
prive the small states of their full rights hut
that the large states might exercise their CON
sii;utional weight r. efrctuaya The sm, Iistates
did theirs, and in the exact ratio of their ply
slcal force : and what is the object OF the eau
Gus Surely. not 10 infract the Constitution,
hut to give life and complete efficacy TO u
fundamental provision, that Of appointing the
Preside MT by the Electors hts end is 10 con-
centrate 10 single point, the same sentiment
which is widely dfnsed ihro' the whole CONT
neDt. and which cannot, in all human probahiI-
ity, take the same direction without some land
mark by which to- steer-Car the Constitution
be said To be violated nv the use ofthose means
which are resoried 10, TO give full efficacy 10 u
primitive power, though in the use of these
means collateral right may remain dormant !?
-
votes, If they are to be- thrown away upon
tavorite candidate without any regard 10 the
result ; or the effect she would have i'm the
application Other means. In vain has the Con-
stItuInD given to Now York 70 times the in
nuencr in the electoral college over Miss ssippi
u N. York pertinaciously refuses 10 act in con
cert with any Of her sister states-or If there
is no mode by which that concert can hr
produced. And how is that concert To take
piace-or what prospect is there nfan election,
when there are already FIVE candidates, unless
there IS some understanding between the states
PhocloO's arguments prove too much-They
go 10 establish doctrine which am conf
dent no one would regret to see realized more
than himsrf-He lays down this positions: the
citizens should actin such way as not To pre-
vent any of the powers delegated by the CON
stItutI0n from being brought into operation
among these powers, Congress is authorised
to suppress insurreciions" il follows, that
the citizens should practise acts Of insubnrdi-
nation, tranple upon the rights ofcivil society
oppose the laws sc. thar this dormant lower
might be brought into effect, that Congress
might suppress insnrrection"-I feel conf
dent PbocIOn does not mean this.
Phocion does not disapprovc of caucussng
upon principle he iustilies il WHEN there is
n dite'eHce Of political opinion Jeticeen The
cnndlddfeS-lndeed upon what ground then
rs he opposed to il now? Is there such
happy accordance of views as 10 The course Of
pohey our country should pursue such an
of merit and qualifications among the
candidates that he is Indifferent which Of the
i've is to prevail; is he willing to draw straws
Tor choice Does he believe that Gen. jock
son and Mr. Adams would administer the
government 10 the same way Docs he think
hr. Clay, Mr.. Calhoun and MIR GRAVEYARD