Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-01-25

snail name IN then ballots the person voted for
rs president, aud n distinct ballots the rerson vo-
tel Tor Us wee Pref dent IA they shall make dis
nct lists OF all peri 'ns voted for as President aud
OF all persons VOTED Tor Vice President, aud of
the number ot votes for each which lists they shall
sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of
the government of the United States, directed to
the President of the Senate; the Prcsdent of the
Senate shall, in the presente of the Senate aud
House of Representatives, open all the certificates
ana the votes shall then be counted, &c" This is
the language of the 3tn amendment, and all of it
that is material To The question.
We imagine that the true doctrine of the Com
Stitution IS, that the are exclusively vested
with the power OF APPOINTING Electors; that ha wing
the sole power OF dppOuling, the mode is entirely
optional with them--and that having under the
CONSTITUTION of the Uuited States, adopted "A par
ucular mode no power earth is competent to
pronounce that mode t,utonal. reverse their
appointment, aud deprive than of their just rights
IN the election. This copstrsction at least seems
more conformab,e with tht Wig inia ideas of limi-
tation, than thr one which g.rs To Congress the
right to judge Of the utonality of the mode.
otelection and the power oil aonulling the Electoral
votes OF the states and ne rather surprised that
this new doctrine should rst lave sprung f.om the
soil of the Old Dominion
As to the policy or prophecy Of changing the mode
OF choosing Ecctu,s by tile Legislatures that is a
different question though hare too. we are so un-
fortunate as tn differ in opinion with MIR. Brent
not that we consider tn mode exactly the best. but
the district system decidedly ~ gorsf, which has
been advised for the choice of Electors; and this
understand to be part OF Mr. Brent iavorite sys-
tam.
We have thrown out these observations in conse-
quence OF seeing the communication We have i'm part
quoted irom the Fredericksburg Herald We have
been unable to procure the Nos Of the Enquirer.
containing "Roaue"--and Ne may have done great
INJUSTICE to tllt wrifpr IN
objects.
vigiiant attention to the operation of he 20
vernment, and prompt exposure of violation; of
the Constitution, the duties of I'll! citizens: aud
whsn those duties are performed with particular
zeal, they deserve the communication and thanks of
goo" men. But on the other hand,there is some
danger OF disgusting the public by 50 freuuen, 70.
quistIons on Its attention, and of destroying its IN
efest, by sn frequent appeals its seasibiliv We
humoly think, that there is too mt,ch ciamorr
ABOUT violations of constitutions, and De hans too
great disposition TO spy them out where ,hev
do not exist, OF at least where they are not intend
eu. ihe strength of the friends of rigid cnustruc
''oh should be reserved for great aud serious
struggle tn give their principles the sccndencv. and
not be wasted in unproflabie s&rmishes.
From Wdshinci0n.-The House of Pe,re.
sentatiges hos been engaged almost entirely il,
me consideration of three 5ubiects--~the claims
OF The niagara su.ierers--the appropriation III
Si5o,oDOto IN" Cumberland Road--apd the ,i,b
scrittlon Of S35O000 tn the stock OF the t,heSa-
peake and Delaware Ganal--f}hls embracing
these ohlects, have been passed BY the ttmsa OF
Representatives.
An interesting discussion has occurred la the
Senate, on the bill fof the suppression Of Pnacy
the section author;sing a blockade of sucn
spanish Ports as Afforded refuge tc-,.iratcs, wa
4 Nlt- .,,tn -s
length, and report says, OF great ability, by onr
Senator Mr.. TAzEw ELL Ii was defended NV
our other Senator, Hr. BARBouR {; hartman Of
the COMMITTEE who reported the bi,ll but was
ex2unged 81 the Senate.--Wc defer Congress
slondt proceedings TO make room for matters
more Immediately interesting.
The impression that NJ ADAMS will succeed
to the Presidency, is extending and is more ana
'IorCs' ..-.s..ss S.lI l,..,-tl., i
highly gratifying to his orr inai friends in Vir-
gina, but under present circumstances, to the
great mass of our population.
P''aceedinGs Of Ycser5qy.-Aher the Sneak
er had addressed Gen. LAFAYETTE, I'D been re
phen to by hin, on motion of Nr. U.shur, who
stated that the predominant feelings ofthc House
ihcapac'ated them from business, the House all
Journed The Speaker then embraced the,
General, and gave hin personal inlreJuctiou
to many mffibers of the House. After tins
scene, the General procecded to the Senate
where he was addressed by Mr.. Speaker Holt,
or the part OF that body, and rcplieI thereto
we regret that want Of room coinpcls us fl
lay over the reply of Gen. Lafayette 10 Mr..
Sneaker i5aniIs, the address of VI. Sneaker
Holt, and the Generals reply, until our next.
Gen. L1'tyettc's anStcer to The JOINT committee nj
both Houses 9f he General .AaseRi5hq of Pr
ginia.
Gentlemen Of the Joint committee of both
Houses: with the warnas fccliae7s Of unaite,a.
bic devotion, and deep grati;ule, / have been
happy to obey the honouribI call Of the Gene
raj Assembly, and now bless the aGeci,onate
welcome, so kindly expressed BY you in tie ma me
OF tho people of Virginia and their Representa-
tives.
Your references tn past times, are much too
u@tterlng TO me: yet while ought to disclaim.
cannot but ENJOY those marks of YOUR Da,tialiiy
10 the friend and companion of YOU fathers ii
is TO their patriotism, to their spirited co-opera
lion with their northern brcthren, that we have
been indebted for the fruitful success OF our Re.
VoiutonaFy struggle, particularly in the decisive
campaign My only individual boast is TO ihink
that personal sentiment of confidence and friend.
SUPP nave IN arduous moments been allowed b,
u'0'' l" !hpSie win inc superior motives fOI
Their neritorious and effective exertions
Honoured as / am BY YOUR appreciation Of nv
general conduct in the Yicissitudes of nv life
conduct consistent hope with nv own native
feelings, am proud to ascrbc due part of il
to The advantage had, Of an American educa-
ton, and of an carly paterDal adoption, by the
linstrious, matchless son of Virginia.
The affection of the people of the T.. States
especially of the people Of Virginia, is TO me loo
great source of continued delight, not TO be
grat'ticd hy the kind declaration you are pleased