Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-10-31

The election is now virtually in the peoples they choose
electors who are previously pledged to for part
cular candidate and never fail TO redeem their pedges
they but the organs through which the expressed
voice OF the people is ed to the Seat of Govern
ment' All the benefits, therefore, proposed by the
alteration, are now substantially enoyed mere differ
ence iu form will certainly authorize informed
uing with the constitution. There is also, difficulty
growing out of the plan proposed, in of choice
on the first trial. Col Benton or rather Cen Jack
son. proposes to refer the election back TO the people,
limiting their choice, however, 10 the highest of
those voted for; but, waving all other objections (and
there many TO which this expedient is obnox ors
1t sandS condemned" as another attempt TO abridpe
the freedom of choice, by requiring TO give their
suftrages not for the in their opinion most worthy
aud best qualified but for of two having the highest
number OF votes--to the language of Col. Benton
against similar proposition, in 1924 "the rance of
selection was narrowed one half by the amendment of
lSO3, and now 1t Is proposed 10 take aw ay the rielt
altogether" .
Col Benton, in his speech OF 1924 already referred
to, says "tIere positive advantages in referring the
election 10 the House of Representatives: il is s,fer
OF the elective privilege than any other body
OF equal numbers, which exists this time or can be
created unde- The CONSTITUTIONS elf il is sail tLa,
'here NAV be some bad material in the House. will
ASK lot 'e body OF equal numbers in which there is sc
hue: And will maintain that the House of Renre.
rs mas ever been, and while tire republic
nVes, IL must continue be, for talent for INF
auu LOT elevation OF character, the first body of men
e tI numbers winch either exists in any
other country IN the world" 'o my mind therefore
there is no place safe for depostne the riplt nj
the states TO decide the Presidential election tan tho
rouse Is Now, mark the change In 1926 after his
RECOMMENDATION with Gen. Jackson, and the Chiefaip
had dictated the to be adopted by his followers
The same distinguished gentleman holds the following
language: cit becomes question which addresses
itself 10 the mind aud heart of every lover of his conn
try, whether Congress (meaning the House of Repre
sentatves can be safely trusted with the choice of
Chief Magistrate of this great and growing republic
The House" says lie, 'stands condemned because it
capable OF being corrupted" and sol being tempered
with"-liabe TO the influence eff candidates-"is sinh.
ect 10 violence and capable coalitions Tbis is the
language OF MIR. Benton's celebrated report, which
recommends mat tue umpiraso of the House of Re-
representatives. be discontinued. Now although com
parson OF the speech with the report both in matters OF
act and argument, would result greatly the adyan-
tae oil the iormer perhaps for the reason that it was
produced by honest convictions vet would moi ab
soutey insist that the House is the safest umpire which
could possibly be created. "The great principle for
winch contend is that after one trial by the people,
The next shall be by states" but submit, that il is
highly objectionable 10 strip the House of Representa-
ves q" the power until less Objectionable substitute
is proposed.
An alteration othe pTiaciple on which the election
of President now reposes. in the manner proposed al.
though not literally unconstitutional, would violate a
principle as high and as sacred, the constitution ITSELF
10y deprivng the sal states of their power and equai-
~ IN the election OF President, you take one of the
principal considerations which induced them TO accede
10 the Uon and by consequence dissolve their oblga-
ton TO adhere to 1t. "Eve!J body 1nowsD saws Col
benton, that without compromises the constitution OF
97 could not have been framed and il is fair Inference
that unless these compromises preserved nviolate
the constitution must perish" Now was one of these
compromises" which gave the election of President in
the FIRST trial. TO the people, upon the federaye and
roScntave principles combined and upon second trj-
al referred The election 10 the states equal sovereigns
The preservation OF this principle, if not necessary 10
The existence OF the Union ITSELF is least ndispensa
BILE o the safety and responsibility of the small states
and imposes salutary restraint the ambition and
violence OF The powerful ones" If the federaYe prin-
cipie already confesscdly the weakest be not firmly
maintained and supported will sink under the tracks
of pretended friends; the staes overpowered and des-
uoyed WI" dwIndie 10 mere corporations or the con-
ederacy be dissolved. There will be no hone of the
durability ofthe Union, if the 'peope's mems are indul
ged IN tfeir work of spoliation.
The dangerous tendency of the proposition which
me pred'canent OF General Jackson TO render
eXpedlen and therefore acceptable to his pariv can
not &c heller illustrated than has been by Col Rem
ton in The speech from :Hhich have quoted He has
demonstrated that 't is necessary to the safety and
respectfully Of the small states that thew should stand
for something in the Presidential eetionr-"tbat il
their rights as now guaranteed not preserved inv
late, the constitution perish and that the contin
gent right OF voting BY states is of the main pillars
which now supports the edifce of the constitution
Yet, lie IS willing to reduce the contingent power of
this state from one twenty fourth one eighty seventh
OF the electoral voice of the Unon TO exchange one
vote out Of twenty four for three out of two hundred
and sixty to barter her equality with NewYorir
for one twelfth Of her relative strengths 10 sacrifice
1.-THE responsibility and safetyn ofthe small states rpcl
ding Missouri and make them stand for notbn in tho
|
on OF the west, blinded by zeal I'M crest has orasna5
the fares Pillar which supports the edifce of The
constitution" and lends his mighty powers 10 the demo
lition of the temple and 1.-the subycrson of the
ment under which live" that his new fayore nav
! rise on lis ruins, C,URTIITG -
Part OF this speeclr was published in the Missouri Re-
publican, of the 18th July last and as sIar re,,I
quote from III this NUMBER refer the TO tina papey
or to the entire speech, in pamphlet FORM published and
distributed by the author in 1924. consider /, triu,
phant vndcation of the tights the states which nete
! e'or any OF tic band, can sufficiently refute.
From the National Journal
CdndoT 9f tie OPpostfion.-AItcr many abortiye
attempts TO convict Mr. Clay ofnconsstency in voting
for MIR. Adams at Tie late Presidential eIeci b G
House of Representatives, the Opposition prints now
resort 10 an assumption dcreditable to their since
rity, as 1t IS susceptible Of refutaiion Broadlv
asserting that MIR. Adams had vindca ied a.! The pro
ceeding5 OF General jackson which Mr. Clay h5l
censurel, lhey infer an obligation Oh the mi of IL