Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-06-05


Hence, although MIR. Adams himself imme-
dately after his election, while the obligation OF
former declarations and the assertions OF his advo>
cafes and friends, fresh upon his mind, in his
answer to the committee of the House OF Repre-
sentatives, that waited upon him 20 inform him of
his election, avowed his apr obatioh of the pro-
posed change in the following words:
" Could my refusal TO accept of the Pre-iJer.
cy. give an Immediate opportunity to the people
70 form and express, with nearer spproach IN
unanimity, the object of their preference, should
not hesitate TO decline the acceptance of that EN-
inent charge and submit the secisian of this mn
mrnious question again TO their determination -
and BY assigning as his only reason rot not doinp
sot that " The constitution itself hal not IN dis
posed Oh the contingency, which would arise in
the event OF his REFUSAL, offered a pledge OF his
support TO proposition 20 10 change the lons,i.
iuton IN respect to The forms of the Presidential
election ss 20 take it from the House & give i, Ji
iccty 10 The people; yet, this p edge
aud the general obligation of duty, imposed hy the
Constitution itself, to recommend TO Cousres.
tuch measures ~ he may deem the public w,lIar.
10 require, he his hitherto declined sending a
message to Congress TO recommend that change
Un the contrary, when a measure for that puTpuse
was intI oduced into Congress without the aid oF
ms expected recommendation, nearly all his friends
~ that body arrayed themselves az an.t il, and ALI
his .NeU England friends without a .in.l. ex
ceptIon, voted az ilnst taking the election rom the
House Of Representatives. e.
The foregoing statement demonstrates that Mr.
Adams having obtained power by violating the.
spirit of ule Constitution, is e1npIovips ali III.
means which his situation gives him to maintain n
anu 10 secure Te~eIecioo, and gives US the So
Tenn sdinonion, that the period has arrival !, tho
operation OF our government when il bebooyes
inc people to recur TO first principles and to en-
quhe Vt the foundation on which their nolt;.J ,;
he nj
The fundamental principle on which our
whole system rests, Is the political eouqliiv of
the citizens. -
From this political equality NECESSARILY re.uI,.
the doctrine, that the toU IF the majoyitv shall
pTeran. 'O'J '''''
The object of all the forms of our nations, and
state governments s 10 secure the fair and ,,,,,,s
ed expression of that will
The only efectu-l security against the ,br.o.
o' the SUPP eme executive power, is the ,y,,eef
'eSpohsUutfy al him who cruises it, TO the ,,eouJ
over whom II 10 exercised; and the only .iI;c,a,,
mode, by Which that responsibility can he a,foIc
cd Is by making The chief asi-trate dep.n,l.n,
'Po" '"e Peothe '% TIE possession and the conti-
nuance OF his power
We hold it to be undcniabIe, thar acco,,inn .,
the theory oil our constitutions the election of tho
PRESIDENT OF the U. States was intended IN h.. ~
act ~ ne 'dMeFtcan people, and that the cleo
Tors are bound 10 vote according 10 the will of their
constituents. "
we also hold that when the election of the Pre-.
SIC ent devoives upon Congress- the Representative.
oil the several States. Ia the discharge of tbri,
lect0y0t duty, are, by the spiri of the copsi,n,i
Wmch toey are sworn TO support, bound Ike The
electors, 10 curry INTO effect 30 lar as u,artiralI
the UiH " Their coast1fnenfs.
ana we are OF opinion, alter the most disDas
siona'e anu deliberate consders ion Of all the cir
cuinstances attending the late prcsien,j Al .Iec Inn
violated IN The election of John Quincy Adams 10
ms chei nsgisrTacy, by the House OF Repr.s,n,
EiiVes, IN which the votes of several S,a. wa.
gwen ny representatives, contrary to the knovp
VIII oil the people OF those States Such feBoyy.
Citizens, are the essential and fundsmen,aI n,inc;
pies oi l'uer'y IN our government according 10 our
construction Of the Constitution Such sr ,b
great principles which have been violated
The supporters OF Mr.. Adams endeavon, ,o ..
void lh. odlum OF that violation by giving total
~ uiHefent Interpretation of The constitution vhev
justify the conduct OF those who voted ag.jns, ,ie
VIII OF their constituents, by maintaining the a
farming DOCTRINE that the members OF the Hue
u A'eP'esen atIVes, IN the election of President |
may throw off all reference and REGARD IN rho - |
pinions of the people and the States and nndo, ,ho
plea OF 'nterTOgdfi1g then c0nscienreq ,, go, |
w their own Judgment anu wishes, generally tb. |
onsprms of thslr interest, IN opposition TO ii dis
interested wishes and will OF their constituent.
MS doctrine Is maintained in the face of The |
very words OF the constitution, which direc,s ,h,
when the election OF President deVolves nm tho
House oil Hepresen res, the votes shall he taL
by States, and ea6h State shall be entitled n one
vote, and majority of all the States shall he mo-
essSry 10 a choice. The natural and uI.iu con
5tructon OF the terms UOte Of a STATE. mean.
vote pressing the will of the people of tb. Sac
ana NOT the personal vote of the renrese,tst,,,.
from the State his feature oil ihe Const,t,,ion !
was inserted ID imitation OF the provisions of t
ola Confederation, according to which the v,,a |
was always taken by States, and it is well known
that the delegates in Congress from the States nm
Ier The Confederation were completely under the
eontTo, and subject to the Instructions OF the lie
glsiaiurcs by which they were sent, and BIZ whom
also they were recalled al pleasure
The reasoning from analogy then is st1opeIv in |
favor OF the construction fui winch We coo,snJ
And we brig every citizen who is attached T.,
liberty and his country, to pause and reflect .eri
ousiy upon the fatal consequences of giving The
iatiiudInarIan construction of the constun,io,
coniended Tor by the supporters of Mr.. Adams
Adopt this construction, aad you throw wide o.sn
The door to corruption, aud the election in the |
House will inevitably, to adopt the language of the
circular address of Mr. Ciay's friends in X entucles
be determined, " by influence and inlripue L,y
gain and management
tempted from the path of duty, aud induced -
vote IN opposition TO the popular will, WI,
a prophetic foresight OF " coming evestsp,
On another occasion August 10Y we have III |
strong denunciation Of conduct since vio,Iioa,at
by the same authority -" when the ,,oics - |
'be PEOPLE 10 proclaimed, the representstive |