The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-04-26
2t0.6t5cGt.

DrzI1I1 r,1z1ns.c- CDEEClI
On Mr.. M'DUFFIE's Resolutions TO amcuu
the Constitution of the United States, rela-
tive 10 the choice Of President and Vice
President.
Concluded.
If did not fear to do injustice to an argu-
ment to which listened with as nue.. atlen-
ton, am sure. and, doubt not, with as much
pleasure, as any member ofthis House, should
have said that. in this part of the gentleman's
argument, he did not appear to pursue COLI
sstent train of thought. He denounced the
ancient democracies and the arguments by
which be supported his amendment, go to the
root Of deles gated power. He spoke much and
justly of TIE essential virtue of the people in
This community, and yet said, that the mo-
ment an individual was designated from this
virluous community, and by this virtuous COM
munty, TO act in a constitutional function, he
was open to suspicion. He enlarged on the
intelligence diffused through all parts of the
community by the fundamentally of the
Press; yet do not remember that he depend
cd, in any degree, on the power Of a virtuous
public sentiment, and Of an untrammcled free
press, to preserve the balance between the
people and their rulers; though it is, in my
judgment, an element Of our liberty inferior in
value to none other.
And now | am brought to what must deem
an extraordinary part Of the gentleman's ar
gument, that which concerns the corruptibii-
ty Of this House but, in the first place, |
would offer a few words in reply, on this sub
ject, to the gentleman from Virginia, (Mr.
SievsasSH,) s:hc last o14!4zsed he Commit.
tee. He said, with a liberality which, Wis., !.
commend it in him, ! certainly do not intend
to deny to any other gentleman, that he would
take tie eventual election from this House.
not because he believed in its corruptib;luy'
but because he was DESTROYS Of placing il be-
yond suspicion. Beyond suspicion. Sir, are
we going then to alter--if you please, to =
mend-the Constitution of the United States.
until, after contested election, or before =
contested eleotion. the purity Of leading indi-
vlduais shall be beyond suspicion aud that
too in state of society, where the mild and
merciul maxim is proclaimed and acted up-
on, that " the private character Of candidate
for Office. is fair game to be hunted down y
Sir, beyond suspicion Can any gentleman
tell me how loug it is since an ANONYMOUS
miscreant, in the papers, accused Thomas JEFF.
ferson of having pillaged thirteen hundred dol
lars, think it was, out of the public chest.
Has any gentleman forgot that pathetic COM
plant of George Washington, that he had
been assailed, in language fit only for a
pick-pocket," for a common delaulter. Sir.
beyond suspicion
" &c thou as piiaste as ice, as pure as
Snow. thou shalt not escape calumny."
But, as to the compatibility of this House,
thought, in the first place, the argument.
which the gentleman from South Carolina
built upon il, was at war with his own sys-
tenn. On this system he says, choose your
electors ~ districts, because, coming from the
people, being chosen by the people, they will
not betray the people. How are we now
chosen: The greater part of US are chosen
in districts. We came from the people, and
we must go back 10 the people; we must
meet them face to face. II the President is
chosen by the people, says the gentleman
from South-Carclina, he is entitled 10 conf
dence; he IS beyond uspicion-beyond sus-
picion, because he is thus chosen. | say,
then, by the same reason, this House is be-
yond suspicion. l mean, If the argument Of
the gentleman is good, and the rather, as we
hold our places for two years instead of four.
anu must sooner 20 back to the people frou
whence we came. ! could not but think.
therefore, that the gen.lcman's argument, in
this respect, was inconsistent with ITSELF He
says, choose the President yourselves, be-
cause he whom you choose viii not betray
you; and then, choose him yourselves, for this
House, Ohough of your choice,) will bctray
you. lie deems, al one moment, that kinely
power, in the hands OF the President. is safe.
ii the people have elected him, but, at tho
next n.opent, he maintains that very limit
ed power ia our hands is unsafe, though We
are chosen directly by the people.
But let US look at the matter OF fact. de-
ny the peculiar compatibility of this House.
The gentleman compared us to the British
Parliament, and the patronage OF this govern
ment with the patronage Of that.
Has he duly considered, that, out of six
hundred individuals, Of which tho House Of
Commons consists, it was asserted by Mr..
now Lord Gray, in 1898, that about 3O7,
forming decided majority Of the House, hold
their seats by the gift or influence of l5i in
dividua!s. Do we h ID our places here by
-uch tenure /? Does the American Repre-
sentative buy his seat, and thus get kind OF
equitable right TO sell his vote Can he unite
high, civil and military character, with his
congressional station. Above all, is The coro-
net, that bright and splendid prize, which no
subsequent dement's can abaie, no revolution
in politics take away, and which time and
death, that conquer all things, can but partial
y tear from his hands, which, when wrcs,cd
from The possessor, goes down with his nare
and fortune 20 .postarity; that brihe which
even Chatham, the gcntleman's great exem-
plar OF political purity, was unable 10 resist
is any such bride held out TO assail our uurity
Sir, cast of the character Of 4 politician. 4
speak as a man; say what feel, aud moth
ing thatl do not feel, | was shocked when
heard Inc honorable gentleman, an nlell;-