Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-02-28
Won. II>-No. 10.

change Of opinion, in this small number, would produce
an entire revolution III the whole vote ct tie State
hese sudden and sweeping vibrations depending upon
such small and inadequate causes are alone sufficient
To demonstrate the Effectiveness of the system that gives
rise 10 them That the state OF pubic opinion, rela-
ton TO tic general this Government must
from this cause, become caprciousy mutal,le is too
obvious to require explanation. The changes popu-
Lar opinion, which would hardly be felt IT 4 uniform
district system established would produce per-
laps, an entire revolution in the administration and
measures of the General Government, the other
system
On the question of State power would ask. what
Goes any particular State gain Ivy this process of COM
pulsory concentrations TIN ough the general ticket when
oil the other States avail themselves of the very same
process. The question Of power, is necessarily re-
alive question: and, in this view of the subject, it is
OF no advantage 10 Virginia for example TO have the
power TO transfer The opposing minority her favorite
candidate, when equal minority IN the very next
from him.
But, Mr.. Chairman the real question Which we are
called upon to decide, is, whether will establish the
district s. stem, or have system at ALL Ii is CERTAIN
from the known state of public opinion on the subject
that the People viii never the establishment
OF an uniform general ticket system, by an amendment
OF the Constitution. Shall We then rather permit the
existing state OF Constitutional axlty continue than
adopt the district systems?
In estimating the dangers Of the present sta &c tlprg
nave often considered that Providence has been kind
~ regatdiui of us, should have been long since
involved IN the most disastrous civil conflicts. Perhaps
we owe THIS fortunate exemption, IN coHs erabie de-
W ''iS '''ASi''lo anu temperance q! our NaiCn3i
character But unless the Constitution is fixed upon
some certain foundation there a serious ground for
aFprehendng the occurrence OF the delicate and
embarrassing question, at distant period will
state case that may probably occur al the very next
election and request gentlemen, if The, can TO solve
the difficult question involved in it. New York, we
know Is now divided into electoral Districts bv law
which Is admitted all hands to be constitutional
suppose tie Legislature of State uudr the Matt
Soie peteX ot preventing the division of tie elective
power oi the State, the eve the next Pre-
the I,4,
io'ineIly exercised. and appoint the Presidential Flee
Tors Suppose the people of the existing Districts
maintaining this act G resumption on tie fart of the
Legislature, 10 be unconstitutional, to vote for
Electors, different from those chosen by the LEGISLATURES
ana mat under these conflicting titles, two prctrners
should claim the sceptre executive rover THIS would
tie contest which could only be decided by a civil war
anu we should have commentary on our present sys
tenn written in blood. Tls is 10 imaginary difficulty
1 solennig declare that utterly incapable Of dcld
iS "hch OF The two competitors would be the real
iTcs'oent, AMI would thank gentleman ur his as
sstancc who thinks he solve the difficulty IN ORE
candidate would say YOU have the orsi lnt.ou ON
your side; TO the other, you have on ,ous Tue practice
OF most OF the State Legislatures ard tie accue.ccrcc
OF me county And yet tic question ROW picsoBtcdis
different from ANY that has heretofore occurred tese
me Ia" establishing the District ststem tong clearly
constitutional peculiar ground is furnished tor .ccar-
iS inc legislative assumption unconstitutional act.
SHch question sir, would never be decided ~ {isee
sionate reasoning. Passion, strife b!,o3- thtse are
The elements that would enter into the ARGUMENT
! shail proceed now, MIR. Chairman. 10 consider ~,
ooJfcuoh 10 Inc District system Hviic shall ,xarI:ifc
VIII" more attention, from the rect enteftcrtain for
the gentlemen who ufge it, at lis intrinsic apora,c
would Otherwise demand Ii is conceived dat the rro.
osed system tends 10 destroy the sovereign rights cftn
states and 10 produce hat is denoininacd consold,
non Now, sir, II cannot SHOW hat tht tendency of
NY proposition Is TIE Of that which is scrbed
10 in these respects VIII surrender the scheme a.
ihde'ensioe To a correct understandable of TIVE Oh
lection am considering, precise and ,ief,,ire rc,
uon OF the STATE powers affected by de proposed amend
mcnt' Is Indispensable Is long as VIZ deal in ,a,~,io
gencratles, VIC shall certainly be involved in commission
ho' 10 error What, then, are the powers which
propose to take away from tire State cg,laturc7 Tb
power OF voting directly for the Electors of President
which VIII be admitted to be a ,srrna;inr at,d ~ =, -
er 10 charge TIE District into the General Ticket VS.
TEN 80 ian as the proposition tends 10 prevent yr,
acts oi usufpaon by the State legislatures 1rnet ne
adml'ed TO DC sanitary The only pow err then which
We's moments consideration, Tie power of ciao
ing the mode Cf giving the popular vote l. IL,
power That ought Ia belong to any legislative boo,5 =
II not OBVIOUS. as well from e. periencc rs from,
he nature OF things, that Il power which, o,,
be exercised abusiycly, and for thc nccou,rs nor, r.
party purposes: What OTHER conceivable 7,,,e,s ,
tansWef; VIII venture 10 assert HAT in ever, instance
IN winch the District system has been made 10 rive 80.
TO the General Ticket. party objects have c,1.;,,
the vowed motive Of the change
bu'' ST. On tins subject Of State rights le; inc warn oo
ueren to beware Of running the national baiono r,i he
9S o' fea ranger While attempting escape from those
winch are purely imaginary. They regard the STATE mo-
Nc'mnens IS sentneIs standing the watch-to towers
"' merry ana yet place those governments in relation
10 the general government that must destroy bob d.;
n1eiy and vigilance have shown, sir, Thar where t
General IicSet exists the State Legislatures bv nc,pi
non or Other modes of Indication will practice contl
lo aeci'e The vote Of the State for President B hin
ing the State Legislatures into the o,e,,,;o - ~
plcsdent,yon make it the duty Of those 10 sound ,l -
o. approaching tyranny vino have been themselves in,tr,,
e''' ~ "aNIns the tyraut 1t would be last as visr =,
expect TIE disclosure Of felony, by paTiiripsnt in ,
pe'Potraon OF It, The true mode Of eservinp The, g,,a
d'n vigilance OF Tie State Legislatures is To keep hc
eP ul 6" the sphere OF the Presidential canvass. Let
'nc" S'ao by as d,nefcsed spectators, while the Peonie
choose The President I, is thus only that they can be
served in the attitude Of scufinels
f'o" me now sir 10 20 little farther on this sbicc.
ana ask gentlemen if IL has occurred 10 them ,i
ode governments may communicate artificial socrcya
''i cYn 10 de5p'iism j" tine general government
upon what principle isit assumed that tina State Tc-i.
'du'cs VIII be always on the side Of liberty, Does our
experience warrant the suPposton2 bee that qcnerc
WIZ 90 me ne favor to open their eyes. and look arour5
'oem' Mt political events that passing almost st the
moment ID which am speaking. Have not attempts been