Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-06-17
MR.. KINGS SPEECH.
IN SENATE. March q. 1891.


respecting the Election of the presi-
dent of the United States, be inde flute
y postponed
Mr. KING, Of New York, observed,
that the excitement respecting tho next
election had became such among the
people, and in congress, who had been,
for the last two years, much occupied
about it, that the sober and impartial
examination of the very important SUBJ
iect of amendments OF the constitution,
cannot be now expected. The amend
ments should, therefore, be postponed
to period when the senate may hope
for more temperate and rational exa-
nlination of them than at tie present
time can take place
Without entering into any examina-
ton of the proposed amendments, he
should vote Tor their pusiponement, not
only for the reason which he had as
signed, but for another, and as he tho't,
Still more important considcration;-
IN reference to which, he must request
that he might net be supposed TO want
respect tol, or t. claim authority over
the opinions of any member of tie sem
ate. We all stand here as equals, and
it was for this cause, after the express
sion of his difference to the rights of
others, be hoped, without offence, he
might exercise his own rights. lie
should therefore proceed, after touch-
ing on certain fundamental provisions
of the constitution, or bond OF Mon, of
the United States, constituting the true
balance of power 10 our political sys-
tenn, 10 draw the attention of the senate
to new, extraordinary, seller Gated,
central power, stronger than the power
OF the constitution, which has risen up,
at the seat of government; power
which has assumed the directions and
control OF the fundamental provision Of
the constitution, relative to- the election
OF the president. In attempting to re-
form the constitution, it is not only me-
cessary to understand its established
and well considered regulations, but to
make inquiry concerning the manner
in which these regulations have been
obser'ed, and the advantages or disad-
Vantages which are found b, experience
TO proceed from the observances or de-
parture from the established provisions
of the compact, by which, under the
guarantee OF all TO each, the states ex-
pected to remain separate, o-equal and
sovereign republics. 80
1t is therefore, expedient, on. a me-
ton for the indefinite postponement of
the proposed amendments of the con-
stitution, in whatever light we may
have hitherto regarded chem, to allude
to, to designate, aud call upon the sem
ate to examine, the, nature, tendency
and danger of this new and extraordlna-
ny power, which has risen up and es-
taoiished itself, at the verylseat of gov
eminent; which has already, assumed
authority unknown to the constitution,
and threatens to ovefturn the hahsnce
OF power, proceeding from it's division
and distribution between the states and
the United States. /.
We all know that the constitution of
the United Statesis the fundamental act
OF the union of the states, defining the
power yielded by each state to the u
nited States, establishing the recipro-
cal rights and duties Of the states and of
the United States, and in respect to the
latter, determining the manner in
which their authority shalt be exercised.
The authority OF the United States
is divided INTO three great departments,
and the manner of approaching the
members of each department is equally
fundamental as their lewiston, and ne
cessary excludes every other manner
OF division or appointment.
The danger to which experience FAD
shown that the election of executive
chiefs are liable; dangers which had
led other nations to prefer hereditary
to elective executives, were without,
doubt, well considered by the members
OF the general conventions, who, never
theless, did indulge the hope, by appor-
tioning, hmiting, and confininq the cleo
tors within their respective states. and
~ The guarded manner Of giving and
Transmitting and ballots of the electors
70 the seat OF government, that intrigue.
Continuation, and corruption, would be
eiectuaIiy shut out, aud free and
pure election of president Of the United
States made perpetual.
At an early day, however. and on the
FIRST and only difficulty which has ever
occurred in the manner OF electing the
president, an alteration Of the cons,i-