Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-05-02
ArOHMoMD, MAY 2
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT.

EhFCIlON OF PRESIDENT.
Inc following Is an Extract of letter, written
oy Noi. John Taylor, OF Caroline, in the year 1922.
There are few men, whose authority on cons,itu-
uonal questions is more to be respected. In this
Extract he states his objection to carrying the cleo
ton oil the President OF the u. s. TO the H. of II
ii inns result cannot be obviaied by en- amendment
oj the Constitution, then the People themselves
who disapprove of this most objectionable mode of
electing the President, fall upon SONS expe-
dient Tor arresting the evil:
The national form of government rejected in
Inc convention, proposed to give to the legislative
executive and Judicial departments Of general 90
vernment, controlling power over the legislative.
executive and judicial departments of the state 90
vernments. Now, by construction and prece-
GENTS, Tue absolute control of Congress and the
federal judiciary over the state legislatures and
Judlciaries, is conended for perhaps established;
ana II by habit the appointment of the President
shouu deVoive upon Congress, the states would
lose their only remaining security for the oreserva
tion oil their individual rights; and thus the national
form OF government proposed and rejected. would
De completely substituted for the federal form
therefore, to give efficacy to the veto of the Pre-
Sueht, designed as one security for their own pre-
servaiion, by their influence over Iii. election the
states must either exert that influence by reonrus
OF each candidate unequivocal proofs of his LOYALTY
70 their rights, or dwndle from federal copar,ners
nf IAN
srtion OF their influence in his election i, has al
ready happened, that the veto of the presdcn, h.
been rarely used 10 prevent expressions upon
rights; and that this officer, instead of being the
preventative OF states, is becoming the creature of
congress; and an instrument, not for preserving a
ieuefai form OF government, but for INTRODUCING n
national form, which must lead 10 civil comn9o-
ions, and terminate in disunion or monarchy,
we seize this opportunity of requesting some
al IN In, s,,,t--
Circular issued, during the late Presidential con-
test, by Mr. Clay's Committee, of which Mr.. Crit
tenden was member. The following descrin,ion
Is taken itom letter written in Feb 1898.
Ihere was one Circular directed by the Ken
tuclSians to PirginiG. There was also issued =,
the same time by the same persons one direc,ed IN
the onion. There was this remarkable idea in ,be
Circular referred TO, viz. That some of the candi-
dates should give way, because if thew did M,
&c e,ecuoh would have TO go to the House, in
which event every species of management. corrun.
ton and intrigue would be made use of. (perbans
money Itself, to decide the election am inform
ed that Mr.. Clay wrote the Circular referred 10 >,
Inc experience OF the last Election but adds
new force to the Circular OF the Kentuckians ro
avoid an appeal to the II. of r. some of the candi
oates al the ensuing election should give way: and
the people will take care that they do so.
IL ls circumstance worthy OF notice tina. Yoos,
. IN
have set their faces against the pronosed anend
ment OF the Constitution; and that most of ,ba;,
devoted pari'Zans have either been very nurb
opposeito 1t, OF very lukewarn in their support Of
II: II is sun more remarkable, from the circumstance
otihe tone which was taken by Mr. Claws Com
'''ee; ana from the circumstance of the uncalled-
Tor and Sir Simon Pure declaration of Mr. a
cams 10 me committee who announced his Flee
ton. . In tbs state of things could nv rsf,s,I
accent ei nj
immediate opportunity TO the people 10 form.ana
express with nearer approach 10 unanimi;v the
OBJECT oil their preference, should not besiia.. IN
decline the acceptance of this eminent CHARGE
but the Constitution itself has not disposea of Tho
contingency which would arise in The evcnt of NV
refusal One might have been tempted TO exnec,
from this declaration that Mr. a. would have come
forward with proposition TO amend the Consti
lnuon Hsei, IN order TO avoid the cruel alternative
mus 9 buckled on his back Not a word ho,,,
ever, iiom the Chief Magistrate on this subIcct,-
Oh she contrary, 1t is even whispered thai he a.
wen as some OF his cabinet, are rather onnosed -,
any alteration They are rather Disposed perbsns
10 lake their chance with :" pre-ex;sting bodv NJ
men, with whom management, intrigue, address
(caII II what you wiil,) may have some little Ell
caey. II will be the misfortune or the kaulr of d.
people, if this calculation should not be comnIs.eI
bafiled by judicious measures
But we confess, that the course OF the Natior,i
journal ,ihe authorised organ ofIhe Administration j.
as curious as any thing else in this changing world
Mr. McDuflie has put himself to the troubls nj
hunting up the proofs of their nconsis,encI For
example, in the National Journal of the lOIb Auc
1874, we have the following expliei; declarations:
r@cts ana HDerences: LIST. That If Mr. Crayy-
ford should be elected we cannot expeci from lin
or from his friends, any movement in favor .f -,
amendment Of the Constitution. sect.rine IN ,ho
People the right aud Pow er of eectins the p, esi
dent OF the United States. 2dlv. If Mr. AI,,n.
should be elected, we think we may safely Affirm
our belief, that be will conscientousy and fr,nIy
do all that it may be proper for him 10 do tn GO.
cure The election OF The President in the hands og
the PEOPLE" 3dly. If Mr.. Clay should be
elected, he and his friends will be bound by TO-
gard Tor consistency, il by no political consider,
uops, to pursue the same course. If there were
no other objection 10 the election of Mr.. Crawford
that which ffas been stated would be sufficient
we sincerely believe that an election BY the PEG
pie, In the worst possible mode that could he
devised by those whose object was TO devi.s the
best, would be infinitely preferable to the best no.
sible mode OF eecting President, in which Con-
gress or the State Legislatures have bnv ronre ,,
30, too, in the journal of the 18th October.
Inc chlef magistrate, when elected has the
whole patronage of the nation in his hands and
may reward with honor or profit, those who have
been active in his elevation Thus when the os,.,er
OF choosing is exercised by few, they NAV he
tempted from the path of duty, and induced 10
vote in opposition to the popular will what a
prophetic foresight (adds Mr.. McD) OF " coming
eyentsl'' '"s
Yet in the very face Of these most emphatic de.
clafations, the Nat. Journal seems reckless Of
passing events: nor makes solitary struggle 10
save the election from the hands OF Congress. and
secure It to the people. This is a strange World.
my masters!'
TITE SALT V6x