Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-02-03

At time when every other state IN the u
MON seems impressed with the importance o.
surrendering the right of choosing the Presi
Dental Electors to the people, We regret &c
see, that the legislature of Delaware, is de-
termined to persist in its usurpation' Inc
House of Representatives has rejected the Bill
introduced for the accomplishment of this de-
sirable object.
The Albany Argus of the 18th ult reiterates
the assertion which it made before, that the
p.r,b,can friends of Mr. Crawford In New
Work. could they bring themselves to think OF
. second choice, would prefer Mr.. Adams. So
cav the republican friends of Mr.. Crawford
erery uhere. So say the republican friends OF
Mr.. Clay erery ,rhere-and so say the repubh-
can friends of General Jackson every where
Add to this, that Mr. Adams is the first choice OF
nine states-and how preposterous does it ap'
pear for disappointed partisans and e1pectants'
to declare his election the result OF bargain
and sale. For the honor of our country, such
charges should be cautiously made even when
probable grounds present themselves, but when
those who make them, know them to be false;
when not proof is attempted to be offered |;
and when the high and unblemished standing
of the party accused, is of itself enoughto for
bid suspicion, the aspersionis no less disgrace
full to this republic than it is injurious to the
cause of repubEcanism all over the world.
The Albany Gazette, in speaking OF the
idle fears, lest the rival presidential candidates
might resort to corrupt means, in tempting the
cupidity of members of Congress, says with
becoming liberality-"For our own part, we
have no apprehensions. The high character
of the two prominent candidates forbds such
a suspicion, and we will not indulge it for
moment "But" continues the editor, "there
is another kind of influence, which, though
not so repugnant at first sight, is equally dele
ferrous in its effects, and strikes as deadly
blow at the purity of the election. We mean
that of bestowing places of honor and profit
on members of congress who may be the par
tisans of the successful candidate. Whoever
may succeed, we hope never to see this done
We are induced to make this remark, inasmuch
as we have heard it asserted that such would
be the fact. But we hope and believe it to
be calumny. At any rate, if the successful
candidate, whoever he may be, shall appoint
to any Office, any of the members who were
his Jealous partisan,, he will render himself
Justly liable to suspicion; and he who, under
such circumstances, shall receive such ap-
pointment, will justly subject himself to the
suspicion of having sold his vote"
Much ofthe force ofthe Editors remarks, de-
ponds upon what may be understood by "sea[
ON, partisay,s" If he had such men in his
eve as Messrs. Van Buren,, Smyth, Cooke
Forsythe. Edwards. Kremcr and Lowre, we
would be disposed to acquiesce in the proscrlP-
ton. But, if like Mr.. Richie, he means to
assert, that "whoever among the members Of
congress, promotes the election OF the next
president, & accepts an Office under him, may
expect full share of public odium and indig-
nations" then we would say, that more un-
lust and impolitic doctrine was never advanced
in an enlightened community. tseems to us,
that such position requires only to be stated
to evince its extravaganza and folly. Con-
gress is the grand nursery of the political Ia
tents of our country. Our ablest ministers
and officers of the higher grades, have made
themselves known to the nation, only through
that channel. The constitution has imposed a
duty on the representatives of the people, to
elect President, in the event of the peoples
failing to do so themselves. Every member
of the House of Representatives must vote
for some one of three candidates. He votes,
If he acts honestly, for the one he conscienti'
ously believes best qualified to fill the import.
ant Office.
Let the choice fall on whom it may, if the
doctrine of these editors prevail, majority OF
members from a majority of states must sol
necessity" be disqualified from holding any
office under the general government, however
distinguished their talents, or desirable then
services may be to their country. BY the same
rule too, the President must select his admins
tration, if any part of it be taken from the
House of Representatives-not from those
most competent to the duty, but from sucf
only as thought him unfit for his station OF hae
been the sszealous partizans' of another
Can any thing be more preposterous
It is not our intention however, to fall into
the opposite extreme, and debar from Office al
who vote against the successful candidate
whether they succeed or fail in their cholce
of President, we wish to see our abiest ane
most virtuous citizens in the service OF the
Republic. Nor do we care, so they be hones
Il .d,,ocote measures best calculated to pro