Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-11-19


I'D in co,sfrddisiinction VI each other , n.
those who framed and adopted the constitu
',"n' intended that the people should ehoos
'ncsr Electors: And that the Constitution o
Inc y. States being a compact between IN
s'A'es,i Inc harmony and beauty OF the ar
rangenrnis made by il, carnot be- riybtfull,
disturhed, upon the Interpretation, or al m,
pleasure OF any Of the states: l shall nov
proceed 10 shew, the great precauiion which
tbefraners ui the constitution have used. If
relation to the election Of the chief magistrate
oi these states, 10 order to secure the liberties
of the people.
! beg leave to quote again tina, part of the
clause, Ia which wish the attention called
Art. II. Sec. 1. CT. H.. "Each state shan an
point, IN such manner as the Legislature there
OF may direct, number of electors equal To
the whole number VI senator's, and represen-
tat'ses to which the state may be entitled ip
the congress :"-And trust that the follow
,0s analysis will not be- deemed criticism
merely verbal.
In the clauses relating TO the election of re-
representatives. and senators, the word shall ia
used. SotoO, 10 the clause relating To the man.
ner, TN which these elections are to be made.
tue constitution says, they shall be prescribed
oy the legislatures Of the states, But in the
clause relating to the appointment Of electors.
tne constitution says, Each iat,stuH appoint
"a =. such manner as the Legislature thereof mau
direct" Why this difference 10 he phraseoIc'
gy Was il to cheat, and del,de, to palier
'o.h the people IN n double sense The purity
oil those patriots who laid the chief corner
stone of the Temple Of Liberty, rested no part
nfthat beautiful edifice on Falssho0d {: thew
DID not find it 'necessaryit6 p0lIute themselves
by any such fraud In tho Formation Of this
constitution they held no fellowship with the
unfrultfu' works of darkness Was it acclden-
iai' II cannot be. Was i,lhen, to SECURE the
liberties ofthe people 1t vas. And the puri.
~ otthe most interesting body of men that
ever assembled for the PURPOSE of securing the
liberties of man, can onlt be vindicatsd. in
this case, upon this flew.
Ia the Constitution ortbe u. States the word
ms"y IS USED, 10 dF'gDate LIST. II power entire
" discretionary witch it might be- convenient,
OF opuonai TO exerse /; and if not exercised
couiu MOI be considered breach of the com
pae' 20. particular discretion as 10 the de-
'dn a"u arrangement OF power, positively
enjo'neo 10 De EXERCISED: and Sd,a contingent
y "n'cn may, olmay not, happen.
rach state Shdh appoint, In such manner as
me Legislature hereof may direct. The
.nJuhc'inn on the states is imperative: and
'ne'r on,'sauon q appoint positive: no one
else shaii perform his function. The legisIa
lures OF me statesmdy facilitate the convent
| sncr o' the peoIle IN the discharge of the
""'y Imposed nlthem, by prescribing the
manner, IN which ne elsctinn shall be held
b"' the trainers the constitution aware of
ne necessity oil arranging this discretionary
power 10 he exerc'ed by the legislatures of the
states, so tnat The people should be- indepen-
uen' oi 'neir lg's'Ilures, IN this most mpor-
,an' e'ec,'"n ia'eieciared, not that the lrgs-
'"tu'es Shdfs lhrecthe manner, but that thew
may.
Inc tndaacyof the Legislative authority
ISL" absorb estiy tther, and in govrrn.n,nts
purely elective, THU tendency is almost ire
s'sHne. The representatives of The people. IN
popular assembly, seem sometimes 20 fancy.
mat 'hey are nc people themselves, and be.
'fay strong SYMPTOMS Of inpatience and dis
gust at inc least sign of opposition from any
quarter as if the exercise of is rights hv a.
Their the executive ar the Judiciary y.ra
breach OF their privilege, and am u,,,r,o,. IN
tne'r dignity But the singular spectacle
"a ? t'sf ss-ssF frshii'e ,,rrsent ,sv af tn.
inquiry oi tliefeDate Of state legislature. 90
-" u.seuui o. tse'f as to refuse to the people
5"s ceariy leion6'ng' to them and that
oo' soh,tary lq ne unanimous wishes of the
popH,ar oFanch p tteir Legislature, save four
ine proPrIrf Of furnishing the people with |
CONSTITUTIONAL Weapons for their defence agains, |
''o' ""'e"to Tslt disposed 10 usurp this ape
p r, 10 themselves, is now obvious TO
an = - d souIl rule of construction that all
o'",s larry Wln them The means necessary
a. upper 10Y fSlnB elect to the grant. The
u"ecson ot thl n.dnner in which this election
OF aPpoinfmcnfof electors shall he made, be-
,ne junction Peculiarly of legislative char
acter me legislatures Of the states may, for ,
'ne personal chvenience of the people. exer-
e'se u u they moose. But should they fail !,
" oh"rd These facilities, which they convent. ,
rnny might dor or " hey should usurp The
eecttoh 10 heH4efpss with a eautiopnnd fore :
s'ght truly woiderfui, the trainers of the con s
s,li,!'ion nave made no express arrangement
o. me power 4 directing the manner, so as :
10 defeat the tights of the people: and there. :
,ore' inc peopf have the right and are in duty :
oo,'nd to Purils such methods as are hest !,
calculated TO promote the enjoyment of their ;
gram, ana 'hef fait'ment oftheir obligation. .
Again (; ~ Art III. Sec. 1. CT. i'll. The {.
congress may determine the time of chnosing !.
the congress fail 10 do so the
len' oi Inc pfop'ei IS not impaired the obi
'"uon on INN to appoint is positive: the =
> optional With that bcdy. $50 wy :
mus, ny foresight more than human. are a
ne rights VI me people guarded by this sacred 1
nstrumenf. Depend upon il, there is some II
hing more lhan meets the ear, in this change 4
the phrasPlogy of an Instrument which is !,
ne hrst corfer stone ever laid for the Tcnpe d
L'oesty. I" Iheorem non fngo."---" But The :,
airs ct your head are all numbered.n Ma n
hew x. 80. ~"
In hoe ;if in the settlement Of this ieteras i
ING precedent, II be determined thai In. - ~
soSemcn offhe different powers in tbs ro., i
tnay be altered so as 10 he exerc;a.'s !.
proxyiit viii devolve ERE long uuon ,hs
topIe OF these states TO arrest m. ,rao...,.. s.