Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-03-02
CONGRESSIONAL.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Proposition to amend The Constitution.

Proposition to amend the Constitution.
Dir. McDUFFIE'S OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Upon the question of the capacity of the Peop,e
TO choose the Chief Magistrate, l would remark
that the citizens of all free countries have been
fbund competent to the selection of the biphes,
officers. For the last half century, the talent that
has governed England, notwithstanding her artifi-
cial DISTINCTIONS ha. been brought forward by the
People, and has made its way to power through The
House Of Commons. OF the distinguished States
men who have figured in her Councils during that
period, know scarcely single exception. Pitt
Castlereagh, and Canning, were all indebted to the
People for tieYpoi,ical elevation and it is certain
that no Stauesmen, in modern times, have exerted
more decisive influence over the current of hu
man affairs; whether for good or for evil il is not
now material TO inquire. But, sir, let US come
little nearer home, and consult own experience
upon this point. Out Of the six Presidents who
nhave been called to preside over the Republic, five
ave been the unquestionable choice of the People
Y America. Looking back upon the history of
past, with the impartiay OF posierity and the
eft OF subsequent experience, can have no
tation in admitting, the selection of the Psople
been the very best that could have been made
n fact, such is the course of political service
Through which Statesman must ordinarily 90, be-
fore he can venture to aspire 10 the Presidency
that il would not be going too far to saw that the
People are more capable of selecting that oiiiees,
than almost any other public functionary 1t is
much easier 10 form a just estimate of Statesman
by palpable measures Of wisdom and foresight than
70 discover and bring to light latent capacities that
have never been exhibited 10 the theatre of political
sction.
But, sir, Yet US, FOR a rnonent, compare the Pre-
siden,s chosen by the People with the officers
chosen by those Presidents. II is subject of Gu
rious speculation, and will lead us, think, TO a
Hery decided conclusion, that the People are more
capable OF choosing the President, than the Pres-
dent would himself be choose his successor Sir
what criterion of talent have our Presidents adupt-
ed In the organization of their cabinets? They have
either adopted the popular Standard and promoted
those WHO had been previously distinguished or
rhey have exhibited the most signal infelicity in
their choice. How many instances can be shewn
Of Statesmen OF frs: rate talents, brought into the
Executive Government, who had not frs, distin-
guished themselves here as the immediate Repre-
eentaives Of the Peopleo will particularly refer
20 che administration Of Mr.. Madison, for whose
character, as profound Statesman, entertain
the highest respect. He was, at the same time
monument of the capacity of the People to choose
public agents, aud of the fray of any other reli-
ance. For, if l may speak with the freedom of
history on such subject, his cabinet was most
wretchedy feeble, and from no cause more striking
ly so, than from the attempt to discover the secret
treasure of talents that had escaped the searching
sagac,y Of the People.
officer in whose election the People are so likely
TO be sc,uated exclusively by patriotic and eeyat-
Ell motives, in that OF the President of the II
State. Personally unknown to the great body of
them, and seen only through the medium OF his
deeds and his character, they ran have no personal
prediction or interested motive, to syverve them
from the dictates Of wisdom and patriotism. On the
contrary, in the election OF mere local officers and
particularly those ministerial officers of the law
whose official duties have bearing upon the ne
funiaFy inte7est Of the debtor and creditor classes
Of the community, IL not unfrequentIy occurs that
eVen tie People are actuated by factous motives
And this from the only cause that can produce
such motives the existence OF an individual inter
est in the election different from the public inter,
est. and paramount to it.
BIT, sir, must hasten 10 consider another Oh
lection that has been urged against referring the
election OF the President directly TO the PeopIe
We have been told from high authority--sn execu-
1fve message of one Of the States that IL will
produce popular excitement and turbulence IL
docs really appear 10 ne, sir thatthe grave states
men Of the country are misiaking, on this subject
the images Of their classic fecollections for the
sober aud substantial realities Of life. They seem To
forget that they not walking in the groves of
Athens, nor iningling in the conflicts Of the Ro-
man COnitid They permit themselves TO be car
ried away by false and deusiye anslogies. I be-
lieve IL woald be vain attempt 10 try TO rouse
the People 20 scenes Of tufbulencs and strife ON
the subject Of the Presidential election. The ex.
tent of territory, and the dispersion Of our popu
lation, circumstances once deemed incornpatible
with republican freedom, are our absolute gIiaran-
rees egssbsi those stormy connections that dis,io-