Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-30

State OF Pennsylvania from speaking, on the
question, with her whole strength eutire and UNI
broken, unlcss the small States will give an G.
quWalent. We have Lccn told of the advan-
tages OF the district system; and, that there are
advantages in it, admit. But these adyspta-
ges, heretofore, have been asked for by conces-
sions from the large States only. The question
has, this session, for the first time, assumed a
new form. A proposition is submitted, by which
the large and the small States can meet ON mid
die ground. have been anxious to hear this
proposition discussed BY the Senate. My wish
has been, that the attention of our constituents
should be drawn TO it, Should majority of the
Senate be against it, there is still remaining the
amendment submitted by the gentleman from
South Carolina, Mr.. Haync.) With some mo-
dlhaton, that amendment would be my second
choice both are ofgrayc and solemn import
they require ut your hands full, n calm and
deliberate discussion. Why is the motion for
indefinite postponement thrown in The way, Be-
cause, 1t is said, an election of President takes
place next fall and there is great excitement in
the country on that question. Sir il is admit
ted by all. that no amendment we can now pro-
pose will affect the next election; and, this be-
ing the case, what connection can the present
question have with the ensuing election, more
than any other subject presented for our deli
beration! There is, in reality no sound reason
why we should not proceed. Nothing but the
influence OF undue excitement could have in
duCed the gentleman from New York To brine
thepropriety constitutonahty of CONGRESS
slonal Caucus into this debate. No excitement
Showed Itself within these walls, until the rem
ueman INDUCED himself in the remarks we have
just heard. The perp'cxed view which the
gentleman has given Of our political situation. is.
in my judgment, no reason why the present !
question should be arrested. Mr.. L. said he
would vote against the postponcment but, ifo
Their gentlemen thought the next session would
be more favorable for decision of the question.
he would ac9niesce; but, at the next session. ii,
no other gentleman broughtthe subject forward.
he would then present it to the consideration of
the Senate.
Mr. Noble, of Indiana, said, this debate had
certainly assumed very strange aud unex-
pected course but, if the object in giving il
this direction was to affect the public mind, in
relation to the caucus which had been recent
ly held, he trusted that object would be dcfeateJ
lie had attended that caucus hmselE-and he
certainly should not ask pardon Of the gentle.
man from New York, Nr- King, or of any other
member in tue Senate, for having do,c so, fur
Their than the rules of respect towal dis members.
and the decorum usually obser, ed in the Senate
The object of the caucus was to produce union:
II did not infringe upon the free vote OF any cii-
zen of the u. States, nor of the state To which he
belonged. He advcrted to the political opera
tons of the government previous, and at the day
OF Jetfersons nomination. 1t was by caucus
that the power then in the hands of Fcdcralists
was disodged, and, frem his youthful DAYS he
said amen and SO he said now. In New York.
he said, if he had rightly been informed, some
years ago, upon certain occasion, in cectng a
Senator from that State to the United States.
the election was delayed, and an union formed
between the Federalists and Clintonians in Or
der to suit certain individuals, and to answer in
dividuaI purposes. What was this but n cav
Gus NO one ever believed that the people OF
the great State of New York was contaminated
by the union of those parties. B:,i he asked.
what had tins to do with the propositions to a.
mend the Constitution of the United States.
now under consideration IL was a departure
from the subject, and ircbrand thrown into
the house. This central power, TO which tie
member from New York alludes and his fears
that the Constitution would be DESTROYED, he
presumed was intended 10 produce some effect
in New York. He liked consistency in gentle
men who STEPPED forward 10 protect the rights OF
the people-the gentleman himself denied, the
other day, that the people were the constitution
al soveregns IN this Goycrnrnept--ho contend.
ed that the states were the sovercirps. whom 4
was known TO all Republicans, that the pconIo
were the source of all power, and constt MED
the divisions OF all powers, whether applied to
the state governments or the Federal Mr..
Noble said he would not suffer himself to be
traduccd by any member for having gone into
caucus, without defending himself. What was
done there, was done Openly--it was the more
expressionof private scntimcnt--sucb practjce
was in existence, he believed, in every state
I'm every county-and III every township i'm tbe
United States, in relation to the election Of all
officers, either of the State EcderdI govern,
ment, and never considered as violating tb.
Constitution of the United States excrnt h.,
those whose favorites could not prevail nor vet
as constituting &C this central power.n On fb;s
question, MIR. Noble said, that he did not nv
pect to be called upon TO defend the cai,cus. HI,
deings of that meeting were public, they Iycro
gone out TO the people. But pray lei the eco,,.
tleman from New York tell us what has Soe,
done on the other side-hc meant the anti(.,,,
cus-and see whether their proceedings Eor,no5
any part of this central power,n so dapperons
TIC the liberties ofthc people. Let him ssry what
part of the Constitution gave this right MIR. NJ.
said he did not condemn tie course for it. vras
but caucus TO know whether they would e-o IN
TO a caucus, this was but private sentiment. &
the only difference between the caucus and r,,f;-
catc'ts, is, the former was private sentiment OK
pressed with previous notice and the latter.
private sentiment, without uot.cc.
Mr.. King. Of ". I. said, tila;, in flc few re-
marks he had made TO TIC Senate, he hid intcr-
ded no disrespect towards any member He
had thought that, III the present situation OF the
country, this was not the proper tine Tor The
consideration Of amendments TO Tic constitution.
The subject had interviewer ilscif into tic ~
aITs oil his own State, in regard % the lrc.iele;,
Ilal Election. ue trusted lc was not precl,,,ic,,
from expressing his OPINION, on 4 subject of n-ro.t
Importance and notorietv. incoasidcri,,e a.
Ineadments to the constitution, he had tio,rat