The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1824-04-27

small states, (which will endure % long a.
their freedom shall exist constitutes al equi-
Poise OF uneeasing efficacy in the maintenance
and the preservation Of our political system.
This system Is able 20 maintain aud preserve
our envied freedom, If Il fortunately has TO-
huence sufficient 70 create in the hearts Of the
citizens Of tie United States that affection
and fidelity without which no plans Of freedom
ever have succeeded, or can succeed.
IL Is demanded that any member or the
Senate would point out an article or clause
! Of the Constitution which authorizes or gives
the slightest encouragement 10, measures OF
any sort, By which a concentration Of the
votes Tor the President may be effected, pre-
Viousiy to the choice or electors in the seve-
raj states Ii no such authority can 81 shown,
and Mr. X. said that, in his opinion, none could
be pointed ont, il may be fairly inferred, from
the provisions Of the Constitution, and the
pnwer Of Congress to give effect 10 those pro-
visions, respecting the times Of appointing the
electors, the time, manner, and places where
they must assemble and give their votes,
citstn their respective states, not only that no
such authority exists, but the precise and
definite regulations which restrict aud conhne
within the respective states, the initiatory
process in the election Of the President. ex-
clude every other and different manner of be-
igianing the election, and, connected with the
prohibition Of Members Of Congress and per-
sons holding Offices under the United States,
from becoming electors, demonstrate the iile-
gahty and dangerous tendency Of a central
power, at the seat Of the general government,
lcombining to nominate The President of the
n "a.
I ton. Members Of Congress belonging to this
central power, and, moreover, possessing
great talents, leaning, and experience, will
obtain an influence with the executive de-
partments which must impair the Just infiu-
ence Of others, not possessing the same au-
thority. With these determinations, such
members, received with distinction BY for
leign ambassadors, and necessarily holding,
under circumstances of favour, intercourse
wat the chief officers Of the government,
\ viii form connexions, and establish regular
intercourse with persons Of like talents and
learning in the several states, and, IN a spe-
Iciai manner, at the seats of government OF
principal states.-The.e distinguished men
becoming the illuminate Of our country, and
being regulated by sort Of fTeemasonry, tie
sign and password Of which will, at once,
place the initiated in full confidence and com
muniOn with each other, in all parts of the
union. Such combinations secure TO the
members Of thc central power influence and
advantages in the making laws, as well as in
the procuring of appointments of every sort.
and, above all, in promoting the election OF
such candidate for the Presidency, as they
may select and nominate. The members Of
the central power will, under such circum-
stances, devote more Of their time, during
the sessions Immediately preceding an cleo
ton, in arranging, combining, and extending
the means to effect the election of their can
didate, than will be bestowed on the ordinary
and regular business Of Congress aud, in
stead Of doing the business that they were
ldeputed TO perform, they will be engaged in
other duties which interfere with them.
Tie course Of events, during the last win
ter, may have already led near observers tc
suspect conuexion existing between a Gen.
trail power of this description, at the seat OF
the general government, and the legislatures
lof Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and
NewYork, and perhaps Of other states.
1t is supposing men 70 be blind to the indu-
Ience and results Of former examples of this
nature, that have appeared in other times and
countries. TO Il We that individuals, distin-
lguished by taieA,s and experience, aided BY
Iskilful associates, especial at the seats o.
the state governments, will be easily defeated
or be likely to fail in the accomplishment OF
their purpose.
4 Rome. 10 former times, was the seat Of a
great central power which reached TO her
remotest provinces, and the life, liberty and
property of the citizens were every where
held at the mercy of this powor. Paris. in
our own time. has also been the seat of a
great central power, which extended over an
parts OF France, and acting upon the people
in all their towns and villages, punished or
position TO its mandates, and whatsoever we're
deemed errors 10 political opinion, with con-
liscation ofproPerty and loss life.
| These remarks are not to be answered by
a reference TO the practice Of the State Lee
gislstures. Conferences and meetings among
the members Of those local bodies, to agree
upon the measures in relation to state policy,
are not liable to the same objections. Their
Influence is less powerful. and they operate
within more limited spheres, ard the mem
bers are more responsible for their political
acts, as well by the greater frequency of
state elections, as BY the scene Of their polit-
zeal operations being nearer to the supervis-
ion and inspection Of their constituents. Nei-
Their are there the same constitutional obiec-
lions arising from the inequalities of the
states, and from our federatiEe and balanced
system ofgovernment
twas to protect the people OF the states
from this great central power, that. instead
or concentrating power 10 one place, the con-
s,tuton has provided for the division and dis
tribuiion Of it throughout and among the
states BY adhering TO this division and dis
tribution Of power, though we find our gov
ernmeat less simple, more expensive, and
less magnificent, we may nationally hope to
preserve orr political integ rity, and to perPet-
uate our Liberties.
There are apparent defects in our coDstitu-
ton. We have nevertheless increased and
prospered under it. IL these defects were
cured, the very means which should effect the
cure NAV introduce, as has happened, other