Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-14
From The National Journal.

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by Mr.. McDuflie, and others of the opposition,
that, although formerly in favor of the proposed
amendments to the Constitution brou CHIT for
ward by Mr.. M'Duffie, he has now brought his
influence TO bear against them. We should be
glad to see little proofto sustain this accuse
ton Of inconsistency The party which has
made the assertion, is aware that it is unsus-
tainable by any evidence whatever. Our read
ers may recollect that when Mr. M'Dufie ORR
| ginallv proposed his amendment to the ConSti-
tuition, it was confined to that resolution which
takes the election from the House Of Represen-
tatives. The resolution to introduce a general
district system was an afler-though; and the
proposition itself was resisted by some Of his
own immediate and influential friends. as un-
likely to produce those beneficial effects which
he anticipated. The TWO propositions were
offered to the House of Representatives during
the last session, IN distinct resolutions. On the
vote being taken for the first resolution, con-
tanning the original proposition of Mr.. M'Duf-
fie to take the election from the House Of Rep
resentatives, many known and conspicuous
friends OF Mr. Adams, and his administration,
voted in favor of the resolution; while among
those who voted against the prop position, were
number of the known supporters Of General
Jackson and opponents Of the Administrations
This proposition was carried by large maio-
ritv---lS8 to 50. Where is the evidence then
that the influence Of the President was directed
against the proposed amendment? AS to the Sc
coDd proposition, which relates to the general
district system, and which was eiected by the
House, by vote Of lol to 81, it was opposed
by many of Mr.. MDuffie's own party, even by
majority Of his own colleagues from South
Carolina, by every member from Georgia who
was in his place, by ii out Of the ii members
from Ohio, by The whole of the Indiana repre-
sentatlon; by the representatives from Della
ware, Missouri and illinois; and majority of
the members from Louisiana, Virginia, and a.
bove lwo-thlrds OF the members from Pennsy-
Vania; and also by ma orities from New-Jersev,
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island,
Vermont, New-Hampshire, and Maine. Ken
lucky was equally divided; Mississippi was
not represented. The only States which
sustained the district system, were Newly York,
Maryland, North Carolina Tennessee, and
Alabama. 1t will be scarcely intmated,
even by those who are readest and least fair in
their lnsinuations as TO tile interference of Mr.
Adams, that his influence could have induced
Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, TO vote
against the district System The general re-
suit was as follows; Against the district system
II STATES divided l---unrepresened lin ia
vor OF the system S. 1t appears, therefore, that
the members from the different states correct
ly represented the wishes and interests of their
constituents--and we have no right to enter
tain any other opinion, --above two thirds of the
States were opposed to the District System.
1t is one OF the sOundest maxms OF political
philosophy not to surrender an institution which
has been tried and approved, because it NAV be
abused, unless something more infallible is of. |
iered in its place Where is this infaibIe some |
thing in the present case? 1t is admitted by
large majority, that the election should be taken
from the House of Representatives; but in the
event OF this change, what shall be adopted as a
substitute Tor the present system? The diff !
Guilty is to devise and agree upon this. We |
cannot forget the almost infinite variety of o. |
plnlons which exhibited themselves at the last
Session, when, between twenty and thirty pro-
positions, all differing in their views, were sub
mltted: yet out of all these, the Select Commit
tee could not unite majority of opinions on
any one.
With these facts staring them in the face,
the opposition prints had the singular modesty
to charge the Executive with defeating the pro-
positions offered to effect change in the mode
of electing the President and Vice-President---
a charge no less ridiculous than untrue, and
with the extent OF which, those who make it
appear unacquainted, because it embraces not
only many OF their own partizans, but some of