Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-06-20

incident 10 public life: for, Il was now where
was then there " ould be no object 10 be attained
by denouncing me traitor TO ihe true interest,
happiness, and glory, OF my country.
But pray the gentleman from South Sarohna
not TO misunderstood me. Those complaints ard
those illusions are not intended for his Nc:
they are intended for other bosoms; would think
myself unworthy of the confidence OF those whom
represent on this floor if could so far degrade
self as to ask any sympathy at his hands. He has
put it on, Of my power to feel towards him as
ought TO do on this subject; and, to sum up those
feelings in n more forcibie manner than any Ian
guage of mine can do, will repeal few lines from
Burns, when that bard was threatened with the
resentment of naughty Scottish lord:
"Spare IN thy vengeance, Galloway,
In quiet let me live;
81 ask no kndnes, at thy hand,
For thou has none to give"
Sr,I know those are feelings one ought to in
dulge towards his fellow man, and trust in God that
il may never fall TO my lot to have them again; but
felt myself assailed, and 10 wipe away the re-
proach from my children, wi ose future character
and standing are much dearer than life ITSELF
have thought owl ed it TO then-to my sell TO
my constituents TO my State, and my country, to
say, in the face of the world what have on this
Subject This House can, il the nation cannot, APP
preciate those feelings that have dragged me INTO
this debate. Sir, have much more TO say, but
| am exhausted, and fear shall be unable to pro-
cee, At the request of my friends, l will try to
20 on but had thought it would be better TO adopt
a precedent of no ordinary character, alluding to
| a case in which Mr.. MoDUPpIE printed speech
which he did no, deliver in the House, and print
| the balance that intended 10 say, without troub-
ling the committee with any remarks OF mine, al this
late hour of the debate. The gentleman FROM South
Carolina has imputed the opposition to his amend
nents coming from the menals OF The adnlinis-
| traton. Sir, know not TO whom his epithet will
| apply; but as applicable to me, enter my protest
| know not nor 10 I care, what the administration
thinks on this subject; for without arrogance,
| claim 10 be consistent III this business as the
| t,choneeabie gentleman from South Carolina.
| The district system was, think, twice before the
Legislature of Ohio during my service in that body.
l was then opposed TO it am now opposed TO II (;
and had intended, in the early stages OF the debate,
to have given my reasons, AT length, why was
thus opposed; but, Sir this has been done IN such
mastery manner by those who have preceded me,
that any observations Of mine, al this time and on
this subject, weuld to say the least OF them, be
| ill-timel and entirely out of season. One word
relative to taking the election out Of this House.
| On this part of the subject have no feelings but
those growing out of repugnance to tinkerins the
| CONSTITUTIONS but, try il when you may, you vii
| find much difficulty in finding proper substitute
Sir know II requires more moral courage to resist
this plausible project than to run with the current
But, if had strength TO proceed, think could
give some strong reasons why sHCU!C tcuIdu
where il now is. 1t Is here that you will be sure
of an election; it is here that all local prejudces
wiped away; is here that we learn TO venerate
and respect talent and worth, let come from wla:
quarter of the Union it may; and Notwithstanding
you May here excite passion, and foster discord,
| still, it 10 here that our better judgment must, IN
time aay all those feelings, and all those Earrings,
! that may mark for time, the harmony and good
feeling that ough, to exist in this body body
which have no hesitation in saying, is composed
OF as virtuous and honorable men, as has lived IN
any age nation. Sir, passion may do much To-
wards distrac,ing and weakening the pillars OF this
| Union, but corruption cannot hnd resting place
within the circle Of these walls do not believe
that the members Of the American Congress are
| corrupt; the nation does not believe 1t; and
! feel confident that those who have suffered their
passions get the better Of their judgments, when
they sit down, end in the honesty OF Their hearts,
| sobery ask themselves, these things be! will,
themselves, be astonished that they should for a
moment have hal bored such opinion OF those
who were their fellow laborers, in trying 10 build
| up the interest and glory OF our common country.
| Sir, the members of the Convention that framed
this Constitution put the election, in the last resort,
where it now rests, and have no doubt that they,
| viewed the whole ground, and weighed, in a pro-
per manner, the difficulties that were 10 be
tered, either in throwing II back second lime to
| the people, or any pre- existing body under the
MI Stevenson) TO whom listened with so much
pleasure in the very able view he took of the Fed
eral features ofthis Government, has proposed, in
the last resort, TO give the election to the State
Legislatures. Sir, volumes might Re spoken and
written, in my opinion, to shew the improperly of
such step; if there was other objection, the
simple fact that those bodies, under the constitution
| have The appointment of Senators confded TO their
charge, would be sufficient OF itself
The Executive Department consists of tyy o
branches, the President and the Senate. The SEN
ate is intended to operate chec; upon the Pres
ident. The Senate, also in Its judicial character,
is 10 sit a court of impeachment, to try the Pres
ident II is. therefore, manifest, that they ought
10 be as independent Of each other in sentiment and
feeling, as practicable. Is it not then improper
lla, the President and Senate should their cleo
ton to the same bodies of men l ask that gen.
tleman, seriously, to reflect before he takes this
step. ask this House, and this nation, TO pause
before they unhinge the Constitution OF their coun-
try; remember the difficulties that their ancestors
had in bringing into successful operation this sPlen-
did monument Of intellectual wsdom-th result of
of the noblest efforts.of mutual concession and
compromise, that effected by any political
body in any age nation.
Mr.. Chairman, must hasten to close. NV
strength has failed ne, and my voice is broken
down. Bot, sir before l take my seat will say
one word relative to the importance of this body,
as the chain that binds this Union together. Yes,
sir, this House is the arch on which this nation
rests, and whenever you shall, through passion or
disappointment, assal its structure, with the pick
axe of jealousy and corruption, so to defoce its
beauty and strength, in the eyes Of the people Of
this nation, it will be of little consequence what
sort Of Constitution you have, or who shall be
selected to administer its provisions.
MIR. MCDUFFIE then rose, for the purpose az