Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-09

could not but disturb the harmony and impair
inc purity of that body, the small states would
he was confident, be found willing to unite i'm an
amendment of the constitution. But if the
course of Legislation to BIC disturbed and
Congress are 10 eject The President, the small
states never would, and never ought to consent
u change the mode of voting. They would
IRON their devotion to liberty, mako sacrifice
OK portion of their power on the altar of their
country; but they would never make il ,lcrc-
~ TO adj To the power OF others. The difference
thcn, SAID Mr.. III. between The gentleman from
New Jersey and himself consisted in this-tbc
gentleman was willing 10 surrender the power
OF votin,, for President by states, and was dis
posed to ACCEPT in lieu az il jointba Of the
Senate and ltonse of Representatives while
Mr. III. on the other hauti. was unwilling to
make that surrender, unless tho choice of the
PRESIDENT by tho people could be secure l.
without any possible interference by Con-
grcss. Mr.. IL. said that ne was satisfied that the
state he represented, and the small states genc-
rally, would never be tempted to wish that the
election of n Prcsilcut should fail, even though,
their influence 10 the election might thereby be
increased. This was the principle on which he
was prepared 10 act. Ii did not appear to him
10 be aGtprtcttcnbte 50 to amend the constitution
us to sec'ire an election 6y tie Electors. In the
event ri failure at the first ballot, let them be
required 10 make second attempt, under such
circumstances as will secure an election. He
saw no insuper:ible difficulty in arranging the
details of such plan. But, if the gentleman
could show that the plan was wholly impractical
bic, and the election cannot, ny any means, be
kept out of Congress, ahcn, Mr.. III. said, he
would be compelled to come to the conclusion
that the constitution must remain as it is, unit
further experience shall suggest n remedy for the
evils we destined to suffer. Onc thing he
considered certain, that the small states ncvc,
would consent to change the present mode o.
election in the House of Representatives for any
other in which Congress should hare am concern
however they might be disposed to unite in any
plan which would effect the choice of the Chie
Magistrate by the unbiased suiIrages of the
people.
MIR. Dickerson replied, that he had not mis-
unierstoodthe gentleman. He had not supposed
lis argument in fovor of an election of a Presi-
dent by the House of Representatives. but OK
actly the rcversc.-Whcn, however, the opera
lions reported, arc considered, it ought to be
with reference to the constitution as it nov
stanis. Is 1t more safe to trust the two Houses
OF Congress, voting b. joint ballot, with the G.
lection of President, to trust the House OF Re.
representatives. alone, voting by states, Tho
proposition OF the gentleman, To send the cleo
ton back to the electors, after their first ballot
C.OO
jections, may be shcwn when this point shall
be considered. One decisive objection is, that
no gso1 could result from sending the question
back to the men who had ma lie up and expressed
their minds upon the subject; who had decided
and, by their decision, precluded all reasonable
hope of coming, by fair means, to = choice, by
the requisite majority. But, if there were nc
objections OF this character against this pro.
position, it would still be as much an abandon.
-yn2nt of the rights of the small statcs nc y
choice by the two Houses of Congress in lie
last resort; and much more SO than is contem.
plated by the resolution reported, as that require.
al equal concession of power on the part O.
the great states. Yet no suspicion can be en-.
tertained, that the honorable gentleman has a.
ny unfrien1ly feelings towards the small states
He considers the election of a President in the
House OF Representatives, under any circum-
ces, as an enormous evil, which he would rene.
dy by making sacrifice greater, perhaps, than
may be found necessary, AMI certainly too great
If it is TO be IL the expense OF the snail states
exclusively.
Mr.. Macon rose in Explanation OF the allu-
sion made by his honorable colleague TO his re-
mark, that the President had always been, with
the exception of General Washington, elected
by Congress. He repeated the observation
with firm conviction Of It's Correctness, that
this had been the case, and in his opinion, it al
ways would be the case. If the members Of
Congress did not act iii caucus. they would in
-thence the people in some other way Tho
people were always writing 70 the members tc
rettheir opinion upon the different candidates
and their opinions would have great effect Mr..
M. said he was wiling to alter the constitution
but Congress, said he, will elect the President
be the constitution what it NAV.
The question on the nostponenent was ther
gut and carried, rs las been heretofore stated