The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-11-06
4 E 3IRAfs
From the Richn,ond I.nquberr.

Dout ~ hi1Hft ID me Character ei a Dthtsslhhn.-
The following Sketch Of a Constitution, for which
We are indebted TO The Philadelphia Gazette, is
said TO have been prepared BY the Iiberator HIM
sell; and Ilaces him in rather different point Of
sicw from The great man. nom he has hitherto
protested 10 make his model. This Constitution
Is scarcely worthy ofthe ashingion of the South.
" ashingtOn was friend to the Federal system,
to the Elective rights of the People, and he was
particularly opposed to the powers ola Chief Ma
gistrate beng extended Ia too many subjects aud
for "A long period of time. We confess that we
are not a little curious TO pcrIse Bolivur's Prc-
mnary Discourse on Government, that We may
see what are his reasons Tor proposing so suspi
cious form of government for new Republic.
That Gen. Il. should have departed from the
ftdernf Model of the United States, has always
been an unfortunate error III his views OF govern
ment 1t has already brought evils upon bis own
country. II has contributed more than any other
TO provoke the Jealousy of Venezuela, and the
Rebellion of Paez. 1t is still more surprising,
when he looks TO the good effects, which the fed
eial system has produced in the United Stafes.-
II Is PROFESSIONALLY one of the greatest political
discoveries the age. II transfers those great
internal powers to states, which are best able to
exercise theni-whlle il gives no more TO the ed
eral Head than is necessary 10 the good OF the
whole thought to secure the union and defence
OF the whole, while respects the Jurisdiction of
the States and the Liberties of the people The
large powers which are necessarily conferred on
a consolidated Government, ON the contrary, car
ny with them so much patronage and influence
INTO the hands Of the Chief Magistrate, that tho
II may begin with the name of Republic, it will
end in a Monarchy
The itlftcring away OF the power of the Leo
pie, by transferring it every four years into "a
body of Elcctors-tic nomination OF this electo.
raj corps OF all the officers of State, except the
Chlei Nagistrate-the distribution of the Iegis-
fdf1tf body into three branches the Iribuncs Sc
majors aud CcnSors--the strange divisions which
the members OF the National Legislature, thus
appointed, are TO make Of themselves k,to these
three branches, the iniiialiye power of the Fri
bnnes-the power olthe Censols chosen for life
10 watch over the press--thesc are anomalies
which appear to us to be as monstrous as they
are absurd.
But what shall we say of the Constitution of
inc Executive Department. The President. al, o
IS pffsp0nsbie like the British King, for the lets
othis 0dminist,aiion--,cho hotds MS office loo for
Ye-~and, 10 crown the whole, appoints his sue
c'SUr! Whether he be a Marcus Aurrlius OF a
'allslla, II Is for him 10 have the authority of the
Roman Emperor, and TO designate the nan, who
shaii wear The purple. And ON example is quo
Ted by Bolivar as the model for his Institution -
he Government OF the L. Statcs," he says,
" has lately observed the practice of appointing
the Ghci Minister (Secretarg Of .Stafe) 10 succeed
the Fre@dent Nothing is so convenient in re-
public The idea has nowerG,llv possose-
ed my mind, and have established it as q law. y
MI Clay may admire this reasoning of the Lib
orator, but We admire neither the lac" of Boil
var, nor The "SGte precedent" of Mr.. Clay
Choose the man who is most fit to serve us--be
ar nj no MI =
OF the great beauties ola free government But
10 snher Incl Magistrate to dictate his success
OF, Is one OF those legitimate ideas against which
me ue"ry OF Republic revolts Ii begins to be
'ime mat the Pract'ce should correspond with the
theory. II the thing has grown into a prccedeat
at all-and Nh. Clay says it is "safe prece-
dent it will be "more honorcd in the breach
than the observance. II the Secretary of State
De- the btd man let as choose him. mol because il is
aPecedem WE should have no IeirS dppdreat |
III this country. ltsuch an idea has groun into |
my mthg gd precedent, we do not hesitate to saw |
mat II IS high time 10 break the succession. and
leave TO Botirar all the deneht oCihe y,ie, We
WIN nave none OF I'VE have as little relish for |
IT as Tor BolivafS other idea Of making Pres-
dent for tyc.
BOLIVIA.
friend has put INTO our hands, the project of
n constitution for Bolivia, prepared by the Libc-
ia'oi az inc request of the primary Congress of
mat republic, together with a preliminary dis
course ON government by the same distinguished
man.
Inc discourse Is altogether so curious in itself
'i''' We intend 10 translate it at length, so soon MS
we gc' through the accounts of the New York
stockholders. To day we cnn give nothing moro
thah sketch OF the new form of government prc-
pared by bolivar for the republic hch bears his
name, and which form, singular rs II is in many
respects We may expect will bc adopted. since
ms word IS law TO the 5. Americans.
Heretofore the South Americans. in orrani7;nc
their governments have been content to conv the
United States, so well as they knew how and ms
lar as circumstances would permit: but whether
'hey nave found that the state of society in the
TWO hehlSphcres is so widely different as To re-
qnte uliiefcnt political organization or " neither
men leisure is simply leading them 10 new poti-
cal Specnlallons, certain il is, that this new con-
'utution indicates disposition to make much less
use IN future OF the model " hich they we're till
now content TO copy
The Government of Bolivia is declared to be a
popular representative government. Slavery is
aDoisnea ana oqudhfy declared to be established
Il IS consolidated government. not Gcdcr1I -
The eNpediency of allowing to every district tine
cover TO manage its own affairs is, however adj
nlltcd, and this principle is thought to he pre-.
crNed, IN allowing to electors chosen by the pco.
PIE IN each province, the privilege of nominating I
or municipal offices, the nominations being after
' alds confirmed by the Executive and Legisla-
hie Ill the manner mentioned below ,
The great body of citizens have nothing more ,
o DO WIN the government than to choose electors.
insanity, fraudulent bankruptcy. conviction in a ,
'ourt OF justice, habtua drunkenness, ga,abtiDg.
i',u i''c''1ieny oepii'e man of the right ofvo-
my for electors.
Every ten citizens choose an clcctor who :
loldS ms Once four years. In january in every ,
iear, the Electoral corps of each province meets
n The capital OF that province, and there chooses
ne members of the three Legislative Chambers. ,
hey also present, to the National Executive. :
for the Prcfectorshp of the depart,
nenls Tor the Governorship ofthe provinces, and
ne aorregidorship of cantonS and towns. To +
ne ifeicet OF the department, they present can
iidateS Tor the offices of alcade, Justice of the
lleace. 10 the Senate, candidates for seats in !
ne primary and district courts. And to the Ma +,