Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-09


the correctness OF this doctrine now But wbetb
er the doctrine were to be recognized or rejected II
couio nave no application to case OF the Character
OF that In question of the alteration and new mo
unca'ion OF part Of the organic fund mental law
OF me state the Constitution. 1t could not be
saio' without temerity, meriting the name of au-
useious' 'hat the known public will was not TO be
received, to give the rule of change or preserva-
ion, as respected the form or modification of the
fundamental !, compact OF the community. Could
'e aenahn Tor this change, in relation 10 the pro-
P"s'.ioh oil amendment under discussion, the di-
'esu,ure OF the jurisdiction of the House Of Rem
fesen'atives, be denied to exist? Was not this
uenaha peremptory, imperative, explicitly an<
no"nced In The modes in which it admitted of be-
ing announced? Wasno t-the Public voice .lon5
distinct decisive in its tone upon this subject,
+" no Were we, then, MIR. Archer asked, who NAV
De oeai 10 TINS voice, rebellious TO this demand.
may exert an audacous authority to superseae. to
Gouh'ervail, to annal the public will We were
~, appointed organs and agents TO express, to
o,sesl' 10 give form, and fruit, and power, and
eeueiency 10 this will. We would not have the
huuihood then to oppose ourselves 10 what he con-
ee"ea 10 DE the unquestionable public sentiment
On 'he subject OF this amendment This was
snewn, II proof were desired, BY the multiplicity
VI we propositions OF amendment which had been
submitted, all of which had grown out of the Ce-
neral excitement relation 10 the object which ia
now proposed the div estiture of the iuisdic,;on
on the House OF Repi esentatiyes in the eIec,ion r
the President. NV ~ .''ol -
NAT, then, are the circumstances in which we
ar paced, and called on 10 express a voice. in re-
iauon 10 tins amendment He respected the wi.dorn
Oh the trainers OF The Constitution as much as any
mat 40 man was more ready not to acknowledge
only, but defer, by practical accordance TO their
views. 1t had been shown, however in rest;on
10 the provision which it was sought to abolish.
ua, 'ney mad acted from view 10 the INTRINSIC
Poicy OF the arrangement but in reference 10
considerations which were collateral and accden-
Ia only Time would press and exigency, from
he period OF the election of the President to that
@iIo'n'ea tor the entrance on the duties of the
once. The II. of Representatives would be il,
session In the interval in the discharge of its Other
ana ordinary duties. The trainers Of the Consti
'u"oh were authorized in admitting the belief that
TINS BODY couli never DO otherwise than fulfil the
VIII OF their constituents in relation 10 this as 10 the
ordinary routine Oh Their duties Experience and
time, and these only, have made US wiser
Most reluctant would he be 10 impue mistake.
In the smallest point to the trainers of the consti-
tuition. But IN their view, in relation TO this pro-
vision, they had acted in reference TO an accidental
ahciiary contingent arrangement, and which they
probably regarded of subordinate importance. not
Claiming the resources OF that profourd end elabo-
rate exercise OF pecaution, which is the most signal
mark OF their labors. and tribute 10 Ii cir wisdom
~'N'A'-'S "Ao 'iie'e WLACH INDUCED them 10 atODt
that provision, which would now forbid then, 10
adopt this amendment, There is no reason TO forbid
our reyisal OF The Constitution, when defect has
IS imperative reason ea anding this reyisal when it
is enjoined on us By the public Will. He hoped,
therefore, that in the multitude of amendments which
had been offered, and he regretted TO see so many
propositions should agree in this point in re-
lation to which the will of our constituents had
been too plainly expressed 10 be misunderstood
to abrogafe, to rescue, to riadicate, this perni-
cious jurisdiction from the House OF Represents
tiyes.
Such were the views he had felt called on 10
submit, in relation 10 the FIRST branch of the nqui-
ry. He came 10 the second branch the desire
to submit his views in relation to which, had form
ed the almost exclusive nduc TO his DIFFUSION
on the Committee.
He had said that the amendment proposed by the
first resolution, unequiyocaly demanded by
the public voice. Blu; could this, he asked, be
affirmed OF that contemplated by the second reso-
luton, The Constitution now accorded 10 the
several States perfect liberty of voting for cleo
tors in the manner they might approve. On this
subject, therefore, there could, of course be little
room for dissatisfaction or excitement. The at
tempt under cover CT the strong and Just senti-
ments of discomfort awakened in relation 10 the
subject OF the first branch of the amendment, 10
ress the adoption OF the second part, united to it
by essential principle of connexcn, nor de-
opinion. And here il would be necessary, Mr. a
SAID TO advert 10 tie practical rule he had already
laid down, in relation 10 the general subject Of
Constitutional amendment, namely: that it was
emily TO be resoued TO on the occasion of defect,
demonstrated by experience In relation 10 the
demand for amendment, under other cifcums, ances
than this IL had been that it was The dictate no
less OF pIclence than modesty, 10 hold the Wis
dom OF he trainers OF the Constitution as our
rule Ii in Difference 10 this rule and because
he considered that defect had been demonstrated
and danger disclosed, by that which alone was
paramount 10 he wisdom Of The Constitution, that
he had EXPRESSED himself favor of the first of the
proposed amendments. But why, be asked, at
tempt 10 alter the mode prescribed for the primary
election of President. Had il failed in any de
gree in the attainment OF the object for which it
was designed? Ihe design waste elicit true ex-
preston OF public sentiment. Who would say that
this had not been attained at the period OF the cleo
ton OF every President OF the United States? In
the utmest violence and heat Of alteration on this
| subject, had the contrary ever been aveued? No
such thing had ever been pretended. Then what
was il we were called upon TO do! 10 a5gogsle
| a provision which has answered ayowedly and
I perfectly it, purpose, and that tie very purpose
/ which it vas proper 1t Should answer. IL was
/ wise not to push q remedy beyond the evil against
which it was provided. Here ws were got only
! asked TO do this, but 10 truth TO conoin with The
proper remedy, something, the ecc' OF which mist
! be TO rritaie the source Of the conf plant. Why
doesa strong feeling exist in relation e. the cleo
ton OF President by Ibis House? Ii results from
the primary election lawn answered so complete
ly rs object as TO have brought the election, in
/ recent instance, 10 this House. TIE votes Of the
n may electors at Tie last election, fairly reflected
the pu0lic MUD The declstauon they bad made