Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-03-07
CONGRESSIONAL.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, FEB. 10, 1926.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND vlcr PRESIDENT.
Ala. McDUFFIE,s sPEECtI-coyc.rDrn

during the canvass for tue Presidency Sir more dam
gerous doctrine could not be nculcated If there is
any spectacle from the contemplation of which would
shrink with peculiar horror world be that of the great
mass Of the American People, sunk into profound ana
thy on the subject OF their highest political
Such spectacle would be more portentous TO the eve
Oh ntcliSent patriotism than all the monsters of the
earth and fiery signs of the heavens 10 the eve of
ming superstition. Ifthe people could be Indifferent 10
tue tate OF the contest for the Presidency they would be
unworthy OF freedom III were TO perceive them sink
ing into this apathy, would apply the power of
political galvy nistn, IT such power could be found 10
rouse them from their fatal cthergy Keep tho Pcope
quiet Peace! peace! Such tue whispers by wb;cl,
the People 10 he lucd TO sleep in the vetv ,;s;.
OF their highest concerns Sir YOU make solitude
and call peace! Peace? 'Tis deathi Take oysv :,
interest from the People in the election of their tho
ltuler, and liberty is What sir is 10 be the
consequence! If the People do elect the President
Some oody must There is 40 special providence to de-
cue The question Who. them is to make tue election
ana how WIi! II operate? You throw genera,
over the body polite, and excite inorbl action II; ~,
ucuiar members The general patriotic excitement OF
the People, ~ relation 10 the election Of the President
10 as essent. to the health and energy of the uol,ic,l
system, as circulation of the blood 10 the health and
energy OF The natural body. Check that circulation and
you inevitably proiuce local Inflammation. gangrepe
aud ultimately, death. Makc the pcople ind;fcront
destroy their legitimate iniuence-& you communicates
morbid violence to The efforts of those who are
ready 10 assume the control of such aiairse me &C.
nary inI'lguers and interested Office hunters ofthe coun
Try ell me not, sir, Of popular volcucc Sho,y m.
hundred political actionists-rnen who Iool, n ,ho oi
lon oil President the means of gratifying their binh
VI the'r low aiIhitIon-and will show you the cry ma
telas or MOB ready for any desperate adventure con
"ec'eu WIN eir common fortunes The reason oftis
extraordinary excitement obvious II is matter f
sen interest otpersona ambition The people can have
no sucn motives. They look only 10 the interest and
glory oil the country. There law Of Athens which
SUBJECTED every citizen TO punishment who refused 10
take sides IN the political parties which divided the Re-
peoi'c' 1t was founded iii the deepest wisdom In nm
tcai Alters the vicious, the ambitious and the into.
1T . 10
OF virtue confidug in the strength of teYwn c,ns;
L" "e h'cFe hepcc results, that the ambitious few
"iL' ''@ ''"nY acquire tie ascendency the conuc,
OF human affairs, it the patriotic many the peon,n 40
not stimulated and -ouscd to proper act;y;, and f
feet. ''9 aiu CT
Patriotism itsefis cold and nelcien, principle with
me mass OF map kind, unless il an active passoo The
cope must be brought 10 with ardor of affection
itw II! not suffice tiat they feel cold ~,
,"chent 70 Tie abstract forms of frecton--they must
We .Ve ana active. No nation attained to high po-
i'''Ca deS'eS without the oyro alton of causes pro,.
irg great rational excitement & s.pnherng ,,,,;
never acneVed any thing worthy to be remembered or
- u' 80, DIS regards liberty or rowor. Who
"ond not De Roman in spite OF all the a,nb;,;o, I'D
violence and strife, through which that 49, a,u
"archeu 10 greatness, rather than luxurious and do
generate Persiau' Who could not be- an Eno,iJ
to'"',"9tihcS Inc "1cisandcs of blood and CONQUEST
'h cheqner The history of that country rather .n an
efeninac Chinese. with all tranquility and neace If
despctisin? $3.50 f VI
both individuals and nations attain 10 moral eleva
f''tO' ''''at 10 me magnitude OF their MI
the disinterested aylan.nify of the ;,nnujso 49,
"ich hey act IL Is the necessary condition of al b
national qualities, that the people are brought 70 art T.;
re!erece 10 some comrnun object. Lei ne brine r..
10 '"e wholesome instructive and habuaI exercise of
CHOOSING their Chief Magistrate They must he trained
M educated to freedom. They must learn the duties
% reeE'en as they learn every thing else. You can
no more make a freeman than YOU can 4 sboeno,or
without practical instruction There arc some cir VII
thnk hat freedom requires nothing more than the mo
pI paper constitution T.cy seem to sup
pose that all will be safe ftle parchment IA sroo,
tae haseoogy clear Sir, unless you La the fopnd,
non OF freedom IN the structure and education nj oie
~ would not give rush for the cluslye mocscrv NJ
paper constitution, written charter i tla ~
but not tho of liberty >'
In this view oil the subject a stronr roco-,,r. !, A..
o. lne proposed amendment, is the effect it n, rrod
Oh 'he feoPic themselves We have recently seen in
rance, that the people incapable of rvcrc a. -
right OF trial by jury, though they are scarceI, To-
te!Igent than the English, who have exercised that inv
Poftdht rlg with great wisdom, from the refnofot
rod Of their history TIE cause is ohvious-fI,o fI
OF rance hafc not been accustomed TO exercise tlcse
rights ''eSe
Nor Will the effect DO less important which Will he
P'oduced upon the person elected President than il
upon the people 'gho elect him There is no more Of
ec'ua corrective OF disposition despotisn than The
consciousness of being The object of the confidence and
80 anu Ira'of' OF great, intelligent, and virtu
Gus nation The moral elevation, arsnr Fror, ,Io 49,
Ole "ehg oPed and Vencrated, BY those whose dcstues
are committed to his charge. would convert evc, :. a.,
ant mo We idther OF his country. 1t is net IN nature
l sovereign TO tyrauniZe people who love him
Even IN spite Of himself he will be ar,ke1 70 cot;
n'en'5 OF magnanInty and patriotism by the warmt, Of
popular affection, and the Unbough demonstrations of
gratitude But how different is tho situation of =. ~,
elevated TO power. b. factious combination BIZ force
o. fraud, IN opposition TO the national will W. air
was zero fyTaD? Not from the native ,,nulso ~ H.
cart rnt rom MS situation. He knew that the ,eo,Ie
cFrrc'Hd bis rower and desPised his person II vonld
naFc oeen unnatural therefore, if he had not become
yTant' however amiabc his natural disposition We
cannot love those long who do not love u.s. A ruler
VINO KNOWS That lie IS hated by the people reciprocates
me popular hatred and looks bis faction for sunnort
ile remes exclusively upon political management and
intrigue TO sustain his power 1""
SUCH SIR are the natural consequences Of acoirn
power not by high-mndcd and honorable ,crio LS;
- The Phiui petty larceny articles of intrigue and
D,tuP.on; lhere IS something essentially degrading
!" 'niS mode OF obtaining power If know nv oy
"ear'' could not be tempted 10 nee such meal, and
P"y airs even TO obtain the control of ration, dosii
n'gS I'u' u could be so tempted, should feel nv
5CI nn"orlhy 10 bo aoy thing but tyrant Cod for
oIu lncn' That we should yountarly place it in tic
power OF men 10 raise Ihem elves to dominion, bv srcb
means let us not expose them TO the tetnutatioI