Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-11
RICHMOND VIRGINIA, FRIDAY FEBRUARY u. 1895.


piclons which naturally belong to mystery and
concealment.
Ihe gentleman from Delaware, however
meets this subject its thrt shold, BY asking
'what right any man has to go into the galleries
to see what Is doing in regard to the election of
a Presldent?"I answer, because that man hap
pens TO be one of the people, for whom we are
acung, and for whom we choosing a Chief
| Magistrate; and because he has precisely as
much right to witness the election in question
as any act of ordinary legislation; and accord
ing to the theory of this democracy, il is inf
n'teiy more cxpedient that he should witness
the one ceremony than the other. Mr. III. SAID
that he thought the popular eye would have
saiutary influence in REFRESHING any indecorum
and violence, 10 which, in moments of peculiar
agitation, the House, constituted As it was, was
perhaps, even more liable than the spectators in
our galleries. They are fortunately exemnt
from many of those strong bias of favor and an
tipatty which may lamentably exert an influ-
ence within this bar.
The gentleman from Delaware does not affirm
that there is any danger at this time, in admit
ting our fellow, -ctizens into the galleries: but he
contends, that, at future PERIOD this House
might be subject to intimidation from the vio-
lence ola mob, who would assemble to witnes,
the scene, to whi.;h we are shortly to be sum
noned Sir, when that day of pro6ipate v;o
lence arrives, the atrocity ofwhici cannot be out
down by the force of public opinion-wben a
corps of such desparadoes are permitted. for an
instant, to exercise such an influence, all spiri,
VIII have departed from this House, and all pu
rity and moral worth from the People; and the
forms we may cherish here, will be but a solemn
mockery. When few hundred persons
scarcely equal to our own numbers, convened
IN those seats, can successfully exercise acts of
intimidation on the Representatives of ten or
twenty millions of people, to an absolute reyer-
sal of their sovereign WILL it NAV be well ina.
gined that the energy of the government. and
public virtue, are buried i'm common grave
The argument, if it is worth any thing, could be
urged, to shew that il is expedient that we
should even legislate in the concave ola Tur
kIsh dIvan. The truth is, that many subjects of
ordinary discussion, and common legislation are
better calculated 10 produce popular excitement
than the election of President, by this House.
During the former, popular preiudices, and
may say, the feelings of public vengeance, NAV
DC addressed oy the arts and electricity of popu-
lar eioquence. In the latter, our business il.
cohilnei 10 one act, that is, in placing for orr
selves or having it placed for US, small strip Of
per on WhIcht the name OF an individual shall be
written. he ceremony precludes the possibi
ty oi debate, and almost the only motion which
can be put, rs, one that will have relation TO tbe
period when the act of baIloting is TO be renew-
ell, on the contingency of continued failures to
elect. 1t is impossible to conceive i'm the forms
of the transaction itself fyvar circumstance.
calculated TO provoke popular violence and com
motion. Besides, said Mr.. Hamilton, | think
the very habits OF our people forbid any appre-
tensions, either present or FUTURE and however
l'tfie consohng 1t may be, to the pride of some
ne thougn. there was rs much honesty outside
I OF the walls Of our House, as there was within
4 them. lie supposed that the individuals who
would at present, and in times to come, occupy
the seats IN our gallery, would, majority of
them, be citizens of the District, whom he be.
heVed were as exempt from the character of
corrupt intriguers, and noisy brawlers. as the
people OF any section of our country, although
the gentleman from Ohio. Mr.. Wright seemed
10 think, that our spectators whenever we have
| president TO elect, must consist of the very
worst aud most abandoned species of our popu-
lation. For myself, said Mr.. Hamilton, satisfied
that no precedent we shall now establish. will
be binding, and that pOsterity will have the
same right that we have, TO take care of them
selves, and being equally satisfied that the ordi
nary power possessedby the Speaker, to clear
the galleries, III the eveDtof occasional disorder.
meets all tile exigencies of the present crisis.
hope that every citizen of this land let him
come from where he will, may be allowed to
witness an event, IN which he has precisely as
great an interest as we have ourselves: more
particularly, when his presence can, in no de-
gree, impair sound and efficient exercise of
the agency we have to exert.
J, Mr.. II. saidhe would, before he took his seat.
notice one or two remarks which fell from the
condemnation Delaware Mr.. McLane.0 This
gentleman, in very manly declaration of the
} course which he intended to pursue in the ap-
preaching election, has thought proper, as fur
nishing the best illustration Of the principles
which should govern him in that course, TO aE
firm thai he does not feel himself bound by the
wishes, either expressed or implied, of the peo-
pie whom he represents on this floor and that
he was IN no greater degree responsible to them.
than to the rest of the country, for the selection
which he rhould make of the person for whom
he should vote 10 fill the Presidency. 1t is not
my business, said Mr.. Hamilton, TO quarrel with
tile principles or the opinions of the gentleman
from Delaware, for whom I have personally
J graf respect, but, nevertheless, hope may be
pardoned for yenturing TO express my own. The
first obligation which human being owes, is to
his conscience. Ifthis monitor tell him, that
a candidate for Office is dishonest and unworthy,
no human p ,wer ought to compel us to vote for
: him. But whilst la, down his i'm Try principle
thus broadly, arm as equally satisfied. that in the
r present election, which belongs peculiarly to the
people, which has come to on a forloru and DIS.
astrOus contingency, that, If we have no moral
objections to the person whom, among the can
didatcs, is preferred by the particular people we
represent here, VIC are bound TO surrender our
mere personal preferences aud prejudices, and
to endeavor to carry into effect their honest,
reasonable wishes. This position harnonizes
; with the whole theory of our representative