Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-11-23

tingly pursued their course, and became CON
tented, at last, with an Unconstitutional attempt
to hamper the mission with instructions from
themselves. But the national sentiment began
to be discovered on this subject, which, togeth,
err with the lucid and powerful views taken OF
lit by the President himself, in his correspoi-
dence with both Houses, queIled the stormy eie
ments that were raging, and taught Opposl-
ton that it must hereafter be more sagaeious
in the selection of topic, II they hoped 20
| make any impression against the Adminlstra-
| ton.
A proposition to alter the federal eonstltu-
t;on en- &c 70 nrocure an uniform mode OF elect
ing the President, in all the States oil TINS On-
on. was discussed and rejected; and this SUBJ
;ect has been worked up by the artihcers OF OPP
nosit;on. into matter Of serious attack against
| The President. A slight examination OF this
subject will be sufficient 10 unmask lis deiorm-
| ity.
The President is accused OF being opposed to
This alteration Of the constitution, after he has
been said openly to have approved oft; and
the proofs to supper, this accusation are, first,
his answer to the committee that waited on
him, officially, to apprise him of his election;
and secondly, thar great body OF those mem
bers of Congress who advocated his measures
did not vote forit. Whether the President is
an advocate for this change in the constitution,
know not, nor is it material; but the proof that
he has declared himself SO, is said by Opposi-
ton to be found in his answer to the committee
in these words, viz. SIN this state of things,
could my refusal 10 accept the trust thus dele
gated to me, give an immediate opportunity 10
the people, TO form and to express, with a near
er approach to unanimi,y, the object Of their
preference, ] should not hesitate to decline the
acceptance Of this eminent charge, and to sub
init the decision of this momentous question
again TO the il determination. But the Const-
tuition itself has not so disposed OF the cOntin-
eency which would arise in The event OF my re-
fusal."
Here let US pause and reflect moment upon
this matter At the time Of this answer there
was great excitement, was very natural, and
as will always be the case at the time OF deslg
mating the Chief Magistrate. When Mr. Ad-
ans was officially informed that he was the man
elected froln.the three before the House, he
with grea, modes,y said as above stated, G.e.)
Could his refusal to accept, give an Immediate
opportunity to the people to express, with
nearer approach to unanimity, the object OF
their preference, he would do it's there any
thing in this that pledges him to support Mr..
McDuffie's project? or that's pledges him to
exert an influence over Congress TO make them
recognises the great principle, fhdt the control
ofthe Presidential election ought to be an the hands
ofthe People / ask, IT MIR. AGrms has ever
done or said any thing in opposition TO that
principle2 Yes, says Opposition, he has Jor-
borne 10 do what he ought TO have done, and has
thus opposed it. ] ask, in what instance! OPP
position replies, by not making use OF all his IN
fiuence with those in Congress, who have sup
ported the Administration, to make them sup
port Mr. McDufhe's project. Here then, we
arrive at the true point, viz. that President
A6ams is arraigned for not interfering in the
lie gislative business Of the House of Represen-
tatives, and exerting an influence, over the Rep
resentatives Of the people to further the scheme
of Mr.. McDufiie. Let US view this question
on all sides-Suppose President Adams had
ntermeddled himself with pending question
before the Representatives of the people,
question too which originated in the House,
emanating from one Of its members, and had
for It's object the mode of electins the Incum-
bent of that office which he himself then filled.
What, ask, might and probably would, have
been said Of such interference, not only by the
decided opponents Of Mr.. MCDuffie's PROPOSE
ton, but by an opposition that is vigilant TO
hunt up accusations? Would they not have &C
cused the President of improperly intruding
his influence to control their legislative pro-
ceedngs9 Would they not have attacked him,
constituting in himselfa coordinate branch OF
the law-making power, for interfering before
his time, and out ofhis turn, in the dehbera-
,ons of the popular, the more favorite branch
of the legislature? Would they not have up
braided him with attempting to WELD unauthor-
ICED powers over the proceedings of the Rep
resen,atives of the people, and to bend them to
his wi2 Would they not have charged him
with palpable want ofdelicacy, or with some
thing worse, N daring to in,rude in a question
before the House of Representatives, relating
to the very office he filed? And l would fur
Their ask, iflhere would not have been some
grounds for such complaints, ii the President
had thus interfered! Where then are the fair
grounds of charge against him for taking the
only course that would be correct or that could
exempt him from these serious imputations?
But here Opposition rises note or TWO higher
and says. he not-only RETAINED from interior
ing in behalf of Mr. McDuffie's proposition,
but he must have used his influence against it,
because so many of those who advocated his
measures went againstit This is indeed an
exaggerated view of Presidential responsibility,
10 make bin answerable both for what is lett
undone, as we'll as for what is done by large