Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-09

MT. IA. reneateU, mat n very small portion '"
fnrheaTance, in that stage of the debate. would
have prevented the discussion altog ether but,
as gentlemen had though, proper Ia assume
different course, it had certainly become ne
cessary that their remarks should be answer
I'd and their arguments refiiied. This had
been done by the gentleman from South faro
lima, IN respect to the arguments which were
urged on the other side, before he addressed
the Senate. But other arguments had still
h''en advanced, and ~ these. Mr.. X. said he
would NOW proceed TO reply. Waving, for
the present, the constitutional question, he
wonld notice tho arguments Of the necessity
OF caucus MS n party measure. Now. with
out arguing how far Caucus could be .iustifi-
ed on that ground he would say that such
measure could certainly not be justified as
party measure, where emily small minority
could he got TO unite in it. He had always
understood that the very frs, principle Of the
republican party, TO whirh he belonged, was,
that majority only could act or speak for The
party. and this, indeed. SEEMED 10 be a sacred
principle, that could, IN no case. he disregarded
But the gentlemen of the present day have
conquered the difficulty that embarrassed Ar
cbimrdps when he stood a solitary Colossus
IN the vortex of mechanical science, i've px-
claimed, " Give n,r a place to s,ard, and III
move the world" Gentlemen have stricken
from this ser;ence the (" dos pou sfo," and the
article kGf, and retain only the =" ton kosmoft
6i"ezo" They now propose TO raise the
world without fulcrum- Here Mr. X was
called to order by the Chair. The President
said, that, in his opinion, the debate had, on
former days assumed much wider range than
the strict rules ofordrr would auihorize-he
himself wac not then In the chair; and that
he conceived il tn he his duty, at this point,
~ cnuine the discussion TO The precise oues-
ton before ihr Senate. MIR. Kelly said, il was.
his intention To have replied 10 some of he
opinions heretofore expressed, in debate I'm
favor of The meeting alluded To but, az the
chair had decided that il was not in order to
dn So. he sheuld submit To the decision and
take his seat,
MIR BARnnuR. who was in thP Chair when
the discussion alluded To commenced felt il
his deity go explain The reasons which had in
duced him 10 allow a wider latitude 10 that
debate than had been Indicated io be- proper, hv
the chair, at this inr. ltwas in consequence,
of his peculiar situation, in connection with
that meeting, thar he had refraned from call.
ing gentlemen 10 order. who had introduced its
discussion. He considered that it was better
that tho liberty of debate should he some
times abused, than that il should be rurtaii@
ed-ihe mor especially, as every gentleman
stood answcrahle before the country, for nny
remarks he might make in This Senate.
After the lanse ola few mit.u;es, and after
another gentleman had risen To sneak the
vice President observed. that the gentleman
from Alabama WAS emitted fo the floor, if he
chose 10 progress. Mr.. X then rose and Oh
served. that hr understood himself 10 have
been deprived Of me floor by the decision of
I'll" clair. To which the Vice President re-
piiPd. that the merits of the question before
fhr Senate might be discussed and that the
gentleman might progress. Mr.. X. then oh
served, that he would not attompt 10 pvadq
the decision Of the chair, and that if he could
not hf permitted tore " political doctrines
preached here inT home consumption, he had
no wish To speak
Mr.. BRANCH. "f n. Carolina, asked the in.
dnlGrnce of the Senate for the purpose Of sinh.
miitng for their consideration, few thoughts
IN relation 10 the important suhPct-mattPr I'M
der discussion. He said il was due to the
state he had the honor in part to represent.
Tor him To support the amendment to The con
stIuiIon, whlch proposes to establish an uni
form mode for the appointment of Electors
OF President and Vice President, and tn him
self, To oppose the indefinite posipnnemcnf Of
the various propositions nOw pending With
the sentiment ofthe legislature orthe state. he
most heartily eOncurrPd.
In entering on the subject, lie said that he
shond endeavor To conform Ia the decision
of thr chair, and that he would not Intention
ally bring into discussions matter for eicn ftom
the question before The Senatp-fnr he firmly
believed that the decision of the presiding Of.
iicrr was correct, and ought 10 be enforced.
ltwould become necessary for him. howe
yer, tO 7nimadvert on the constitutions az il is
al present, and IN call the attention of the Sc
nate 10 the pernlcious practices which bad OBJ
tanned, and grown up Under it, which threat
ened, ultimately, tO subvert the liberties of
the people. Ii was the duty Of an able sur.
geon 10 probe the wound TO the bottom. that
he might BIZ the better enabled TO devise and
apply an Effective remedy.
IL would moi he denied. hc said fhatit was
the intention Of the convention which frnmrd
the constitution. TO give to the people the g.
lection of their Chief Magistrate But what
have wc been told by my highly esteemed
friend and colleague, MIR. Macun0 who is
certainly high authority? Why, that the Pre-
sideot had, since the days nf Gen. Washing
ton. been aiwo1s eiccied by Congress.
This, said Mr.. b. is The most alarming dc.
cIaralion, and surely il becomes necessary that
something should be done IN prevrn; that from
taking place in future. The constitution Dro-
vides, that the President shall he elected bv
the people, through their electors but w..
end that plan has been found out. setting o.
side this provision the President is 90 be
chosrn-and the people are called upon. only
To confirm to the 10 of their rulers. Mo-
81 these unconstitutional proceedings are tn lee
continued, and tie President hereafter! Is IN be-
chosen by Congress uciine IN Ccucus, IL is man
fest that the constitution will not only HI.
practically altered, hut that door will he
opened to- the greatest abuses and cnrrupfino
We will snon find that the President will be
chosen only by means of Intrigue and manage.