Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-24
he would then receive APO
votes in each
64,l90
l94,lo0
Total number Of AS votes,

Total number Of AS votes, l94,lo0
Now let BIS Electors succeed
in l3l districts by majority OF
90 in each, and he would receive
$40 votes in each, 66,Sl0.
The consequence would be, that Il would be
President Of the u. ). with 66 $40 votes, against
n who had received 1914, 1870.
In proportion as you increase the number OF
candidates, the evil OF this system is augmented,
since the plurality of the votes only is requisite
choose the Elecor. How strikingly exemplihed
was the defective nature of this system of district
Ing In the late election for President in Maryland.
In that State MIR. Adams got majority OF the
whole numbers OF voters. he had majority III
fifteen out OF nineteen counties, and in six out of
nine congressional distrcts-yet he only obtained
three electoral votes-General jackson seven
and Mr. Crawford one. The general ticket sys-
TEN would have given Mr.. Adams the entire vote
OF the State.
Here, then, Mr. Chairman, is practical proof,
that this system of disricting is not calculated TO
secure the expression OF the popular will. But
we are told that disricting will prevent union
and combination between the States in the Presi-
dental election. If such result could be produc-
cd, that would be sufficient with me, for rejecting
1t. What! take from the States their defensive
armour. deprive them not only of the power of uni
ting tor their own safety and protection, but of
resisting, 1t necessary, nvasons of the public lib
erty by the National Authorities, Sir would
much rather strengthen, than weaken, the power
OF those vigIlan sentines our National rulers
these guardians OF the rights and liberties of the
feopie,fo such they are, and were intended to be-
| oy our fathers. The gentleman from South Caro-
INA, however, looks upon them in very differ
ent light. lie thinks they are no, TO be relied on
as checks against ambition, or guardians of liberty
that the time may come when they will COM
municate morbid action TO despotism in this Go
vernment. Pardon me, Mr.. Chairman, whilst
contrast the opinion of that gentleman with those
OF MIR. Madison and Mr.. Hamilton upon this sub
ject.
| Here Mr.. Stevenson read the following ex-
tracts from The Federalist1
| Isl vol. l69. 1.-The State Legislatures will al
ways be not only'vigilant but suspicious and lea
lous guardians of the rights of the People against
entertainments of the Federal Government and
VIII constantly have their attention awake to the
conduct OF the National rulers. They will be ready
enough II any thing improper appears, 10 sound the
alarm 10 the People, and not only become the
ooice, but II necessary, the ar,s ofthcir discon-
! TENT
Page $50. "The General Government will at
all times stand ready 10 check the usurpations of
me State Governments, and the State Governments
VIII have the same disposition towards the General
government. The People, by throwing themselves
into either scale, will nsallibly make il preponde-
rate If their rights are violated by either, thew
| can make use OF the other, as the instrument gf
i. redress. It may safely be received as an axiom
IN OUT political system, that the State Govern
ments will, in all possible contingencies, afford
complete security ssainst invasions of the public
hoer'y by the National authorities. Projects of
usur pation cannot he masked under rretences so
likely to escape the penetration of select bodies of
men, as OF the People at large. The Legislatures
VIA have better means of information; they can
discover the danger at distance, and possessing
all the organs OF civil power, and the confidence
% 'he People, they once adopt regular
plan OF opposition in which they can combine ALI
the resources ofthe Community
From the speech of Mr.. Hamilton in the Com
Vention OF New York. ''The People have an
OBVIOUS and powerful protection in their own State
Governments. Shonld any thing dangerous be at
tempted, these bodies ofperpelual observation will
| DC capable OF forming and conducting plans of re-
! gular opposition
Now, sir, are these the bodies of men who are
10 lead the People into false security, and whilst
protesting TO defend, be,ray their libe,tes. Have
we not right, on the contrary, and ougs we not
| 10 regard them as the safest and most efficient
! cheeHs against power and ambition? Will YOU
ieave them the power to resist ordinary acts of
legislation and usurpation, by our National ,u-
leTs' and yet take from them the power of uniting
10 say who those rulers shall be- Are thew to
resist Cesar upon the Throne but to be allowed no
power to prevent his being placed there, No. sir.
the People of this country will never consent IN
see Their legislatures stripped of the importan sbt
OF union and combination
Iheir attachments 10 them are too strong, and
they repose on them with too much confidence.
10 !. NOT natural (and we may fairly resor. TO the
sociai principles OF our nature, for the purpose of
drawing conclusions as to the conduct both OF in
diyiduals and communi;ies) that this shouId ho
me case! We love our families better than our
heiShoors; and our neighbors, than strangers-and
why! Because human affections are like solar heat:
they lose their intensity, they depart from the
| centre, and become languid in proportion TO the
expansion Of the circle on which they act l, is
on this principle that the People will forever feel
more attachment; towards their State Governmepts
than this, so far removed from them. Tbev one
rae Immediately upon all those objects most dear
10 ireemen, affecting life liberty and property: and
II Is upon them they will repose with most security
and pleasure
1t IS not to the State Governments that the Peo
pie VIII look for schemes of dark and wild ami;
,ion' IS In this Government only the danger
lies, and it is upon their State I,eeisla,ures ,bc
must rest for protection and SAFETY. Tbav ,,,;il
not consent, therefore, 10 touch one iota of (be,r
power. - 'i'''
| but, we are told there is another evil which This
amendment Tor districiing is 10 cure Congr essonal
ana state caueuses are TO die! Those Monsters
mat nave deyoured the rights OF the People. and
are TO irample down their liberties!
ana pray Mr. Chairman, what are these things
caHed cd"cuSes, or conventions, as some gentle
meH, more fastidious than am, are pleased 20 call
them. DO they really produce any evil in the
country! Did any man ever hear of a State cancns
controlling public opinion, or forcing upon the
People President who was obnoxious TO them
Sir, State caucuses resorted TO as the means of
aiding, not defeating popular opinion. They fol.
rows not precede! They enable the views and
N m t,f.s- l.