Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-11-26

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RICHMOND, NOVEMBER GO, 1894.
| ELECTION OF PRESIDENT.
In laying the following card Of Rome
before our readers, it is due 10 our correspon-
dent To- premise that by the words "Speeula
tire Discussion" we meant not TO convey the
slightest i,nputation on his good sense. We
entertain respect for the Intelligence Of that
gentleman, which we share in coslmon with ev.
cry one who has the pleasure Of knowing him.
But with all due Difference to our cOrrespon-
dent, we did conceive that there was unp
point in his Essay which would never be re-
duced to practice. We agree with him per-
teclly in the principles with which he sets out.
He has shewn, by train of powerful argi-
ments, that the choice of Electors ought NOT to
be exercised by the Legislature thar the prin-
ciples -four popular institutions, and the de-
signs of the frSmers of our constitution forbid
| it-and we now add that since we penned
our remarks, the melancholy example of New
York has occurred to demonstrate its inexpe-
diency. Su far we agree with our friend. So
| Tar 1t IS plain-saiIing eOough-no speculation
all sound, practical Illustration. But when he
presses his premises to his conclusion when
| he urges il upon the Congress of the u. S..
/ v,
| the votes OF New York, of Vermont, of Geor-
sia, and of Louisiana; nay, still further, TO
| cancel the acts Of president, whom the Con-
gress might not think proper SO To SET aside,
| we confess that we did dissent from his CON
cluslon; and that we considered il AS spec
nlalion which might rather be INDUCED in dis
cnssion, than reduced TO practice.
t. BnI Heaven furbidt that we should consi-
der The elementary principles of Roane 10 be
mere speculation. We will CO operate with
INN to the utmost of ur poor abilities in re-
forming the erals of the Constitution. We
had determined, as soon as the turmoiIs of the
pending election were over, 10 bring up the
discussion of the best mode Of electing Pre-
sident. Heaven forbid that Others NAV no,
consider even this speculative discussion
We threw out the idea in 13I6-but then i,
was treated as speculative discussion for
nothing was done to remove the grievances
OF which we complained. The COpstitutio n
remains as 1t was then: the same risk in car
ryng the Ultimate election TO the II. of Repre-
seniatives; the same necessity for some CON
cert, some convention, in some form or 9th :
ler, to prevent the evils. the embarrassmen,s.
the agltations Of that form of election.
After these solemn assurances, we will most
cheeriuiiy cooperate with Roane 10 deyising
the best mode for amending the Constitution.
A. oSC'ho HIuftu. tfdt IniS part oil tile
constitution, which was I" almost the only mar,
OF tie system of any consequence, which has
escaped without severe censlre, or which has
received the slightest mark of appreciation
from its opponents" as the Federalist assures
us, should now be supposed to be so very de.
iective. But, the subject is very difficult one
IN ITSELF The election Of the Chief Magis-
irate has always been the erperimentum cyucis
IN all free governments. And experience TOO
frequently points out those errors in a ma
chinery, which had originally escaped the
most anxious enquiry.
We repeat that we will most cheerfuy CO.
operate with Rome in discussing the best
mode of reforming the evil and for this pur-
pose, we inVite nm TO develope the particu-
iars OF ms scheme. We suppose, that upon
mts po'nf, we are agreed viz. 10 keep the O.
lection from the III. Of r.. and TO reserve il in
the hands Of the people, or their Electors.-
Thenext question then, is, shall il be made
by the people themselves or BY their Electors ?
Roane is for dispensing altogether with Elec
tors. Let the people The saysl vote them
Selves Now, does Roane wish the Peoplr
to vote az large through the T.. States, OF
icph reference To the state lines If the for
mer, does he wish the election TO depend up-
on majority or a pi,srdiify of The votes
throughout the u. States !? jf n plurality. Is
ne prepared to impose chief magistra,e upor
the Union, by small minority perhaps Of il.
votes liby majority, is il Ly malorit,
OF the freehold votes or tbs general suffrage
votes or in what way because. the nuail ca
lion varies in different states and virginia. fo
instance, where the right is more restricted
{ would only give 10 or 10000 votes Will,
Ohio might contribute 40 or 90. 1000.
: Suppose these difficulties removed. SIM
|. pose the election 10 be made by states : an,
J the states to be cut up into districts IL vo,
please, TO do away all general tickets al
: general nominations, all legislative caucuses
e Suppose moreover, that in each district. I'm
people vote directly for the President, and IN
majority ofyoices in eachdistrict, determine IN
vote of that district what then? Here is !
a difIicully--how does Roane remove il? w,
. he let the decision rest upon the plurality O
\ majority OF the districts? IL the FIRST. 70
: perhaps dictate Chief Magistrate TO the na
!. ton, bys miserable minority Of its suffrage,
4 IL the latter, how are you to expect IL. ami
! the great number perhaps Of contending can
q didates The North, the South, the Yves
may respectively send forth their sons. On,
: candidate is pushed forward, by the address
which he has acquired in the school Of Diplo
. macy another, by the splendid services whicI
he has rendered on the field VI battle 81