Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-09
REPORTED FOR THE NATIONAL IHrELLIcEScER.
Eighteenth Congress.
DEBATE
On The amendments 10 The Constitution.
(Concluded)
MONDAY, MARCH %, 1924.

INNhOH - IU-fs
IN SENATE.

Pos'uS amendments 10 the constitution, IN re-
latIon to the election of President and Vice
President, was again taken up. The question
was upon Mr.. Mills motion TO postpone the
whole subject indt fniiety.
THE Chair, previous to the commence.
meat of the discussion animated its intention
to restrict the debate TO the immediate ques-
ton upon the indefinite postponement of the
resolutions.
MIR. DIcKERsoN, of n. Jersey, said, that
he was disposed 70 yield cheerful obed-
ence TO the decision of the Chair, although
he had not had the opportunity of replying
to some pointed observations of the gentle
man from South Carolina, Mr.. Hayne,)
which might be easily answered. He regret
ted that the subject had been introduced, AS
IT WAS calculated to create much unnecessary
excitement The discussion of il, however,
had given him no uncasness, either as it res
pected hitnser or his friends and he was
perfectly content To let il rest where il was.
shall, said MIR. u. confine myself to the
motion which admits discussion of the mer-
ITS OF the resolutions tn be postponed. And
II is with reluctance again speak upon this
question for, fear that it will be found inn
possible in the new mode now proposed To
introduce any amendment to the Constitution
of the United States, which shall have the
least hearing upon the relative power of the
|
easily excited. The interests of the great and
small states are easily set in array against
each other. Any attempt tn promote a olan
ot1nutial concession, plan upon which tine
Constitution Itself was formed, may be repre-
sented "a Ar. invasion of the rights of me
class of States, and an abandonment of those
ofthe otlifE ,-At'shs time, such Constitu-
1 ton as we.nOw haze, could not be formed. II
was adopted alta fortunate period. Fortu-
nate FOR the large states, still more so for the
small, For these reasons, begin to despair
OF seeing any of tile proposed amendments
succeed, unless upon call of 4 convention of
the states under the fifth article of the Con
s'Itution; aud therefore, was disposed tn
let the subject rest, al leas. for the present
session. But the gentleman from Suulh Car
DINA, MIR. Hayne,) calls me up 10 answer for
myself Iieaccusrs me of aiming deadly
blow al the rights of The small states, bv taxi
ing fronYthrn powers necessary To- their ex-
lsteDce. 'slfi have tEtne this, have forfeited
| all claim to The confidence OF the state which
has done me the honor TO place me here
t'fhr gentleman certainly had no intention of
producing an impression of th,s kird. But
il is not the less incumbent on me tn repe his
observations, which were strong and pointed
| 1 introduced that part ofthe resolution to
which thr gentleman alludes- the election of
| a president, IN the last resort, by Joint bal
lot of the two Houses Of Congress- with
great dildence without any strong canli-
dence that the plan proposed would be prac-
licab'e ; plan would myselfabandon, sh0iid.
IL not meet The appreciation ofihe snaiSfatrs;
ADD iaore especially, if it should not medt iht
appreciation ofthe state To which have the
honor TO beions-ior, upon this subject. the
VIII oi my state is my law. Ineither expect
ed. nor wishrd, that il should receive the de.
clslon of the two Houses Of Congress This srs
SION. introduced it as subject worthy of
discussion, believing it only the intermediate
ground upon which the friends of the great
and friends of the small states can ever meet.
~ some better plan can be suggested shall
al once adopt IT; ior, upon this subject. pride
OF opinion shall have no influence with me-
For more than twenty years, the great dan
gers OF presidential election nave been felt
Efforts have necessarily been made 20 afford
remedy. This has never been more appar-
ent Than al the commence ment of the present
session of Congress A discussion upon this
subject BIAS already taken place, 10 the House
OF Representatives, and IN the Senate no less
than six amendments ha, been proposed 70
! me Constitution, as to the election of n Pre-
sidrmt.
The gentleman from Missouri Mr. Benton. J
mas shewn, in the strongest cOlors, the dan
gers ut our present system, and the absolute
necessity of disricting ihe states for the pur-
pose of Choosing Il President, so as TO leave
IN" put little to add upon that subject. A bare
majority ~ the Legislatures Of six Of the large
states, having i33 Electors, can completely
control the rest of the Union, upon the cleo
ton OF President. under the present system.
] That IS. little more than fourth of the
people ofthe United States can impose Pre-
sIdrnt upon the residue, amounting To nearly
/ three fuuFfhs, This is an pnnrn,ous notver
growing ont Of the operation of the Constitu-
/ lion, but which was not foreseen by those who
formed that instrument. BY this, the small
states, containing large ai0uiv of the peo-
Pile of the United States, ,ray he rendered
utterly insignificant, he choice of = Presi-
dent BI tins The vice % eighteen, Of the
tw"nty-four States, may he completely sup
pressed But the gentleman from Virginia,
(Mr Taylor says this is one Of the great led
eral features uf the Constitution, which ought
to be held sacred. Whether il be- federal. or
whether it be rational, It's equally dangerous
to the liberties Of the people. THIS enormous
power must be dreaded by ~ bn. those who
WELD il. II must he dreaded by all hut the
influential men in the great states, who ma,
conirOl those states, and through them, the
Union.
/ The small states ask the large 10 divesf
/ themselves uf this enormous power, by adopt
| ing system of single districts, for the choice
of Electors. The great states refuse Ia yield
up any portion Of This power, unless the small
states consent to make corresponding con
cession on their part.
What is The power of fhe small states, whrr
the election " a President drvol,es upon IN,
House Of Representatives? 81 Rcprcsenia
lives, from thirteen small states, can, hy pos
1T. - a. 4