Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-06
tRkPcnrED FOR THE SArlosAL IsrkLLIoEscE,
Eighteenth Congress.
DEBATE
On HE amendments 10 Tie Constitution.
Coniinued)
FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1921.
, IN SENATE

IN SENATE.
MIR. BARBOUR, of Virginia, then lose. He
had prepared, he said, to give silent vote on
THIS question but, as the unpleasant topic of
Yesterday had been brought again before the
Senate, he felt it his duty TO say something
upon 1t. Some circumstances and reflections
had been introduced, TO which he conceived
arepy tn be necessary. He intended To place
the meeting which had been alluded 10, on
what he conceived To be delensible ground
His remarks would necessarily be tesultory
But, as the question before the Senate was up
on the amendments To the Constitution, il was
due 10 the body which he had the honor
tn address, make some remarks in reference
thereto.
AS regards the Constitution of the United
States, MIR. u. sad lie always approached it
with revrrencei in the wisdom of its provi-
sions, he saw the great source of The happi-
ness and prosperity of the couatry. Our an
cestors, WIN emigraied here, brought with
them that inextingushabie love of freedom
which enabled them to pass, in success, the
waste OF waters, and IN a bowling wilderness
to lay the foundation of mighty empire,
whose astonishing growth and happiness are
ascribablr, in great part, 10 this instrument
But still, deeply AS he felt impressed with the
sacred character of this instrument, his rever-
ence did not amount To idolatry he knew II
was the work of men; that il was made in the
infancy of political science, and before expe-
rience in the secrets of self government had
furnished guide. 1t was Justly entitled To
admiration not that there were 10 errors in
it, but because il had so Mt .rly answered, in
practical operation, all the purposes for which
II was established. Although it was an ob
Ject of reverence, il should not be Of idoatry:
we should leave ourselves open TO il convic-
ton of its defects; and il behoves those, whom
The people have entrusted To look after their
interests, To profit by experience and, il any
error presents itself to correct and amend il.
But he well reelected the old adage, that
people should he contented when they are do.
ing well lest, in trying TO do better, they
should only make their condition worse. Ii
is good maxim in vernment--particular-
| ~ IN Legislation. When he looked round the
country, said Mr.. b. he could SEE no great i'm
pending evils tn dread. He would not saw
that hc himself had not been disposed, here
toiure, To propose amendments to the Const-
tuition. 1t is the natural disposition Of man
kind, Ia think that we can see deeper into af-
fairs than our neighbours and he had once
thought so, in regard TO the constitution per
F, haps il was vanity in him to think so. The
honorable gentleman from New Jersey saw
fit to advise the Senate, some DAYS since,
that the plan which he, (Mr.- Barbourl had
proposed, had failed. But that plan did moi
propose change in the foundation of that
compromise, which led to the adoption of the
Constitution. III he found il impossible to u.
mite this body, upon that proposition, and if
they rejected that amendment he asked, what
prospect there was of obtaining the passage
OF an amendment, which was going 10 dislo
cate The most important parts of The govern
! meni, ny changing the relative power between
the small and large States, in the election of
/ haa rIafN I.tn. - = X L.
said, 1t was unnecessary to consume the time
OF Congress, when II was quite impossible to
come to any result upon This subject. There
are now two distinct propositions before the
senate. The one proposes TO divide the
states INTO districts, and, when the election
| ~ not made IN the first instance il is TO he car
RED to the two Houses of Congress- The o.
Their gives the election Of President directly 70
the People-and, in the event of failure 70
choose, by the House of Representatives, vof-
ing by States. Now, what is the spirit of the
Constitution 1t is partly Federal and partly
| National. The Influence of the states .youId
be destroyed entirely, as sovereign and indie
pendent states, by cutting them M into dis
tficts. The great state of New York, flor the
sceptre has nov departed out of Judah. and
we must look mp to New York as the great
| est state, THE great state Of New York, by
TINS system, would be reduced, in point nf in
tlnence, to a level with the small state of De-
| lawdre. 30 IN reference Of the election inn
| rnedIatGly to the people, the federative cha
racter of the government would be DESTROYED
| entirely. The government would be entirely
national, and not federal. But, Mr.. Barbour
SAID, he would not, at this time. go into any
further consideration of'hese amendments, as
he bad, on former occasions, delivered his SEN
tIments fully on the subject. He concurred
with his honorable cola =.
tnat 1t would be better To wait until the evils
of the present system became more manifest :;
and then II would be early enough to suggest
amendments. He would not now take notice
of the observations which had been heretofore
made, upon the different modes Of appointing
Electors, which had been adopted by the diff
ferent states. The Constitution gave an I'M
doubted power TO the State Legislatures. To-
determine the manner in which The Electors
shall be chosen. Some Of the Legislatures
retain the right to choose them, in their own
hands; some choose by general ticket: q
theirs by Notwithstanding 10 their sovereign
pleasure. He could not see that any mis-, hiec
had resulted from this practice. He thought
u better To take longer time 10 devclope the
provisions ufthe Constitution. as il now stands
and be sure you see the remedy, rs we'll as
the evil, before any change should be made in
IT. II was not impossible that change might
introduce still creator errors. The gentleman
! from Massachusetts, (Mr. Mills,) has pFuhu
ced an amendment, TO restore the COnstitu-
! Ton TO the situation in which IL originally
stood IN respect to The election of President
! and Vice President This shows that If j.
doubted, by some, whether the amendment
which has already been made, has proved br
nehciaL IL may he matter Of speculation.
WI 'ther the difficulties we see, are not rather