Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-11-19

j ne NOMINATION. VI NCIt IL JdCkSohs
by the Legislature Of Tennessee, as a
candidate for the Presidency at the
next election, it has already been sta
ted, passed with only one. dissenting
voice. The dissenting member was
Mr.. RExEAU, who submitted his rea-
sons, in the form Of a protest against
the manner Of the nomination, as fol-
lows: Nat. Journal.
The following are the reasons up
on which l on yesterday gave my vote
agains, the adoption Of a preamble and
resolution, that passed both Houses of
this General Assembly, declaring An
drew Jackson pre-eminently qualified
TO fill the Office of President Of the u.
States, and recommending him as a
candidate for that office at the next e.
lection; and declaring also, that said
preamble and resolution was express
sive of The feelings and will OF the peo-
pie of Tennessee.
First: Our republican constitution
secures to the people who vote under
its authority. the right Of putting in
nomination their owl. candidate for Of
fee, and of Judging Of their qualihca-
ticns for themselves
Second: 1t is the exercise Of
power not delegated to us by the con-
s,itution, from which we derive all the
powers we have; and such powers as
that instrument does not delegate to us
belong to the people, and b. them "a
lone ought 10 BE- exercised. In the
exercise of constitutionalpowers by US,
our acts are binding and obligatory on
the people; yet, presume, none will
be hardy enough to say that the people
of Tennessee will be bound to vote &C.
| cording to the direction of the said
preamble and resolution
If we possess tn. constitutional pow
err of declaring who shall be Candidates
and who are qualified to fill offices, we
also must possess the power OF declar
ing who shall not be candidates, ant
who are no, qualified TO iill offices; and
five have this power, we may give
sanction to the exercise oft, by declar
ing pains and penalties to be incurred
by those who may disobey our direc'
tons. If we do constitutionally pos
sess this power, then the people do moi
possess il, and we ought to act like
men, and make our acts authoritative
and binding But five do not posses:
this power, then it remains with the
people, where it ought to belong And
the assumption of that power on oul
part, is not only an idle waste Of public
time and money, bat is an encroach
ment upon the rights and privileges o.
the people; and when | reflect that
have taken an oath not to assent to any
ACT or resolution, or to give any vote
whatever, that appears me to have
tendency to abridge their rights or pri'
vileges, l find it impossible to vote fol
that preamble and resolution. But
thirdy--If it was admitted that we had
the right to pass that preamble ard re
solution, still am unwilling TO pledge
myself, or the people | represent, al
most tour years before the coming or
of the election, to support any indivi
dual; for I do not know what either
the people or may think right at thai
time.
"These are the reasons why votet
/ against the adoption Of the said pream
bic and resolution. therefore beg
leave to enter my protest against sale
preamble and resolution; and that the
same, together with my reasons, ma!
be spread upon the Journals.
LEWIS RENEAU."