Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-20

contested the palm of superiority, there were,
at each recurrence of the Presidential election,
but two candidates presented to the people,
and sectional predictions had little Influence,
1t any, in their nomination or election. Now,
however, there are no less than six candidates
actually before the union, and there are those
among the supporters Of some of them, at
least, who appear TO place great reliance on
the influence of sectional feelings aud local in
terests: And the natural tendency Of present-
ing SD great a number Of candidates, is to dis
tract the people, and TO draw into exercise.
geographical distinctions, sectional feelings,
and local Interests, of every possible descrip-
ton. To prevent this, and to avoid the evils,
| il is calculated To produce, il is obvious that
some mode, harmonizing the views, and unit
ing the sentiments of the people, must be
sorted TO. None seems more likely To secure
the attainment of this object than congress
sional nomination. A convention composed
of the republican members OF Congress, will
bring into one body as full representation of
the feelings, interests and views of every
quarter of the union, As reasonably be ex-
pected; and what is also worthy Of great con
siderafiun, VI will secure TO every section of
the country, its Just weight, and it's relative
importance, considered in reference TO popu-
iaiion, and also To the spirit of the constilu-
ton IN the selections 10 he made.
] An interchange and comparison of opinions,
between men of the same political sentiments,
cannnt Int produce the. hapr;ss: s;-s:ii::s.. I:
lis extremely clear that there is no other prac-
ticabie mode of concentrating public opinion,
and preventing the dangers to which the COM
mittee have alluded !; aud if the interest of the
great republican party-a party founded on
the principles of the revolution, by the men
of the resoluiion--be AN object of any, even
the least regard, The absolute necessity of such
a measure, not merely to the success, but also
to the preservation, and possibly TO the cxls-
tence Of that party, must commend its adop-
ton {" all who feel any suIicitude for the
continued ascendency of republican princi-
pies.
| In discussing this subject, it is also proper
10 Iook at the expedirnts proposed in its
| stead f.,r :h:. some mode of nomination
must be adopted, is too plain TO be den.d.-
The only substitute which has been suggested
or adopted, the only one which the nature OF
the case will admit, is a state nomination, TO
be made by the members of the legislature
Several have already h,en made, and the
difficulties to which they have led, are too
palpable and serious To require comment
and ifthe example should be followed by the
other states, it might not only prevent
choice by the electors, but would render it
! predetermined whether The selection could he
mnde by the House Of Representativ as, { q ming
| together rs they must be expected to do, un-
der the influence of the different nominations
made by their respective states. The diff
culties which have arisen from state nomina-
tons, and the other circumstances 10 which
the committee have referred, form potent
argument in favor of d congressional nomi
nation.
Unless some such expedent, for uniting
public sentiment, is adopted there is every rea-
son To believe, that no choice can be made by
the electors, and that the election must of
necessity, devolve on the house of representa-
tives. An event more unfriendly To- the peace
and prosperity of the union cannot posi- bly
be imagined. As the election must then be
made by the states, and AS each state has but
one vote, without regard 10 its population, or
the number of its representati, es il is obvious.
that the viii of the majurty of the people, in
that event, may be, and IN all human pro
liability, will be, entirely defeated. The house
OF representatives, is composed of 2I3 MEM
hers hut on an election by states i, is possible
Tor 80 members representing thirteen of the
small states, TO secure the election of the pre-
sIdent Thus, an uncomfortable minority of
the people, may defeat the wishes, and SET al
defiance the will of the majority. II is unne-
cessary TO speak of the great inducements
held out by sreh state Of things, TO practice
on the purity "f the members, nor of
attempts. The committee have too much
confidence in the virtue Of the peoples
representatives,, To entertain any serious APP
prehenslons on this head. Yet it is not III
tie singular, that the intelligent Assembly 0fthe
state ofTeDnessee, should be So apprehensive
ofcorruption in congressional caucus, where
every member has right To vote, without
advertng To the fact, that by preventing u
congi essIonal caucus, the choice will probably
be brought to the house of representatives,
where the vote 0fthe one III, mber from Mis-
sissipp, will be equal tn the votes Of the thirty
four members from New York, and where the
dangers of corruption are cOrrespOndingIy in
creased.
This part Of the subject, addresses itself
with great force to the whole nation, hut above
all to the people Of this state Without in
tending TO excite any unworthy feelings Of
state ambition, the committee deem il proper
tO observe, that departure from the system
in question, will probably reduce the lnnaence
Of this state to a level with that Of the smallest
members of the American c0nfederacy. 1t is
certainly desirable, that New York, at the ap-
preaching election, should receive the consi-
deratinn to- which her great population, her
immense resources, her public spirit, and her
fidelity to the interests Ofthe union, So Justly
tile her and il cannot be- the part of wis
dom or expediency, to oppose course cal
culated To promote this desirable result
The practical utility of congressional no
limitations, is moreover confirmed by the past
experience Of the nation. IL is hut fair to- pre-
sumo, that the general assembly Of the STAGE uf
Tennessee, do really entertain the serious alp
prehensiOns expressed in the dnrumtnt before
us, and yet il is moi easy 10 discover any well
founded cause Of alarm. The election To the