Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-06-17

the presidential election, which has
been always ending IN honor and good
faith, seems OF late to have beeh forgot
ten; and dissatisfaction and complaint
! have appeared at the seat Of govern
uent 10 Virginia, New York, and other
! states, that the influence of the great
states was unteasonstly impaired by
the provision Of tie constitution. that,
after the failure to choose the president
by the electors, the election should de-
yolve upon the house ofrepresentatiyes
| although the house OF representatives
| is restricted to the choice of the presi-
dent from three candidates, nominated
| by the electors, a majority otwhom are
appointed by the large states, Hence
il has happened, from year to year, that
attempts have been made by certain
J states to alter tie constitution on the sub
ject of the preside election, notwith-
standing this election is matter ofconi-
promise and compact between the
states, without winch, no constitution
or Union could have been formed
Hitherto these attempts. have all failed.
aud Since the addition of so many new
states, the probability Of any alteration
Of the constitution is fnuch Diminished,
but while the chance OF any alteration
| is hessen6d the dangers Of the coustitu-
ton are n uch decreased. The forni-
dable central power, which has appeared
at the seat OF governments, which is rei-
Their deputed from nor appointed by any
established rule among the states, but
proceeding from a self-rfeated body,
unknown 10 the constitutional body
which acknowledges no law founded up
on common and eqssl rights, knows no
/ superior. ard which reaches and is sys-
/ tematically-combined with affiliated BIO
/ dies at the seats of government Of the.
great states--a body that already con-
stitttes a power greater than the provi-
sions Of the constitution, and assuming
the right to nominate the president Of
the United states expects. by the as
sistance aadinerease of their distant as
sociates, and the discipline aud popular
ity Of their leaders, TO elect the presi-
dent in violation Of The manner pre-
scribed and established by the consiitu-
ton.
| The central p 'rer at the seat Of gov
eminent is at present composedsof Sc
lect number of the members of con-
gress, who, from their official station,
have access to, and intercourse with,
the foreign ambassadors, as likewise
with the great officers of the govern
meft, and, by aid Of the post office, and
the public press, communicate with
their associates throughout the country.
Such body are capable of having and
actually do possess. great influence in
every part of the Union. They are un-
der no restrictions as to the number ana
condition or residence of their menu
bcrs; the judges, Of the supreme court,
should they consent, may be added to
this central lunto: should they also
/. unite with them, their influence would
be still further increased. Should peril
lous, times occur, and men of unchas--
tened ambition, become the president
and vice president of the Unitcd States,
they would employ this central power,
TO fill the two hobses Of congress with
their fayorites, and, bv their co-opera-
zion with the governors and popular
clubs at the seats Of the state, governs
ments, be able To- eject in our own free
country changes which might utterly
subvert our beautiful scheme of governs
ment. Should this central power, ex-
tending to all parts of the Unior, be
able by tire Cooperation fits associates
to discredit and supersede the separate
4 powers of the states in the choice of
president, II would afterwards end less
difficulty in efFecting the consolidation
OF the executive power Of the. United
States, which, by the constitution, pro-
ceeds from, rests upon and il bound to
defend, the separate authority OF the re-
speetive states This done, the reform
will not stop at the consolidation Of the
executive power of the United States,
ruinons as that measure may prove -
but viii extend to the legislative de-
partment, and difficult as the attempt
may seem. endeavor to abolish the e.
quality of the states 10 tue senate. This
alteration NAV, in the commencement,
be mere Recommendation, like the
congo d'elire or nomination of the pre-
sident by The central power at the seat
of government; but recommendation
ofen repeated, will, in time, become
imperative commands, and to this end
it win be urged, that by these means,
/