Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-02-28
congressional
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, FEB Is, 1926.


ELECTION PRESIDENT AND VIoE PnEsIpENr.
The House having, on motion ofMr. MCDUFFIE, re-
solved itself into Committee of the whole on the state
Of the Union, Mr. MCLANE of Delaware, lin the Chair
proceeded 10 the consideration of the following esolu-
tons, moved by MIR. McDulie on the 10th of Deem
Der last, viz:
"Reolvcd That for purpose cectiug the President
and Vice President of the United States Constitution
ought 10 be amended that uniform system voting
districts shall established the States; and that the
Constitution ought be further amended in such manner
will the election of the aforesaid officers
devolvng upon the respective Houses of Congress
Resoiged, That select committee appointed with
Instructions 10 prepare and report joinresoluon enbra
cling the aforesaid objects
These resolutions having been read
AIR. McDUFFIE addressed the Committee as follows:
MIR. CHAIRMAN: The resolution which has been re-
ferred TO the consideration of the Committee is rcso
Vable no two distinct practical propositions plain
and Obvious in their import they unquestionabIy
important in their tendency. The first contemplates
the establishment Of uniform mode of voting, by Dis
trcts for the President and Vice President the Unit
cd States instead ofleaving the Legislatures of the
respective States, either 10 prescribe vary the mode
o voting 10 and exercise that important func
ton themselves. The second proposes that, in the
event OF no person receiving majority of all the cleo
tora votes at the first ballong, provision shall
be made for the final disposition of the contest that will
supesede the eventual interference either branch of
Congress in the election of the chief Executive
Magistrates of the Republic. AS the resolution does
not declare whether ii is expedicnt that the Electors
should be dispensed with retained nor Indicate the
substitute BY which the final election shall be prevented
from devoving upon Congress-, will very briefly
the details of the present amendment, reference to
these particular objects
AS lhe electors, if retained at all, would hold their
iIrst balotng Immediately after they chosen, and
under circumstances that would almost preclude the
possibility of tamperng corruption, ann willing TO
acquesce in any decision that majority of the Com.
tnttec may make upon the question of retaining them
in the first instance. For, although do not believe
The Electors be of any possible utility in the system
and can perceive considerable objections retaining
them thus partially yet, if najory the ON
mec should think differently will cheerfullv sacri
lice this minor considerations the accomplish
ment of the great object of the contemplated amend
nent.
But, in the primary of the Electoral Col
leges shall fail to decide the election propose that the
two highest candidates. respectively, shall be referred
back the people, voting directly for the President
and Vice President by Districts. For, when 1t is
sdered that at least three four months unavod
ably eapse between the first and the second ballotinc
the argument against retaining body of Electors
long period exposed 10 temptation becomes in my
Judgment, irresistible. And, in addition to this view
of the subject when the is reduced TO simple
issue between two competitors there is end of all
the conceivable for discretionary agency and
the interPosition of Electors only be regarded
at best useless ucumbrance.
Such, MIR. Chairman, is the brief outline ofan'anend.
ment> which ernphatically speaks its Importance
that need scarcely invoke the patient and undivided
attention of those, who, under the solemn respon-
sibiy to the present and future generations pro-
nounce and record their judgments upon it.
In bringing forward this plan of Constitutional re-
form, am of the obstacles, common to
every similar undertaking, that be unavoidaby
encountered Some there are, who, in their undiscri
mnating for the eXcelleDcos and imperfec
iions OF the Constitution, disposed to regard every
proposition to amend it, dangerous innov alton. Al
though it undoubtedly true that every change is not
improvement and that the Constitution ought never
10 be altered, under the clearest convictions of
theoretical propriey, for slight TRANSIENT causes vet
is equally true that TO stand ndscminately opposed
all changes say the least Of it, the dictate of
very superficial wisdom. 1T is offering an idolarous no.
mage at the shrine of the Constitutions which the Con
stitUtion itself explicitly disclans. That the clause
which provides for its amendment stands amongst
the least equyocal indications of the wisdom of its fra
ners will be apparent to the vast comprebensveness
of their labours, a1d the every who will reflect but
for single moment, upon peculiar circumstances
der which they performed
Called together by extraordinary and alarming
emergency, and acting under The influence of the ex
cited passions, uDavodaby incident TO crisis porcnd
ing anarchy and civil strife, the Convention were IN
icr the necessity OF forming, III few months the
tire structure of government, perfectly new in its
principles aud Destined iu less than single century
rom the period of its formation, to extend either its
blessings its curses, t0a larger number Of civilized
human beings than were ever before associated un-
der the auspices of one common Government When,
10 this view of the impressive magnitude and growing
character OF the objects and interests commit led 10 the
charge of the Federal Convention, We add the conde-
ration the they consisted of delegates from thirteen
dependent soyercignes hayiug rival interests and con-
ictinc views 10 harnonze the wonder IS not that The
Called 10 make perfect Constitutions bat that thew
made any Constitution az all And here, SIR will take
occasion to remark, having more immediate bear
ing upon the proposition before us that in the organi-
z9tion Of the Executive Department Of the Government
that department in which il has always been found
most difficult unite The elements the essential ee-
mcnts Of liberty and powcrtbc Convention sIerivne
but few, and glimmerng, and deusve lights from his
to:J have most signay failed in accomplishing their
patriotic intentions, though this IS undoubtedly The part
OF the system which they regarded as least obnoxious
20 objections An impressive adnODion 10 all, how
seldom in tbe conduct Of human affairs the wisdom Of
man trausconds the narrow horizon OF his experience
In connection with this view Of the subject will ven
ture to express the option with confidence, that TIC
common mass o tocrsbly informed politicians in tho