Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1827-08-03

h0W Tar 1t becomes President of the United
States, at all times, TO recommend alterations in the
Constitution OF the Federal Government is grave
and great question that have neither time nor
space here to look into. We would barely remark,
that in confederated government, the alteration of
the constitution is very serious matter at any tme
and one very dangerous to be meddled With in
times of high political excitemen-and the question
here alluded to- as it touches the balance of power
among the states, and is one Of the very fey nslan-
ces where the states act upon a perfect equality,
and relates to the election of incumbent Tor that
Office which the President now holds, and to which
he is constutionally reelgbe,it appears to that
such proposition had as we'll come from any other
quarter as from the President himself, and as this
was q question BY no means new unknown, it ap-
pertained as much to the duties of member of
Congress to introduce it, to those of the President
to recommend it. But the proposition was brought
before Congress and failed--and as many of the
friends Of President Adams, with others, did not a.
gree to the provisions that were to accompany this
change. he is censured for not attempting to control
these members of Congress in an independent leg
slative act and he is accused Of derecton of du-
ty and of being false to his pledge, in not informed,
ding with the proceedings Of the House and enfor-
cling the measure whilst it was before them. Here
again we see another entrapping dilemma stuuusly
prepared for the President. II he had presented
this matter to Congress in message, which he new
er cave the slightest promise or pledge to do, he
would have been exposed to the imputaton by those
Of his adversares opposed to the measure, of using
Official influence to regulate the election Of President
to suit his own views. As he did not present the
matter to Congress- he is accused of deserving his
duty, and Of violating promise. set up for him by
the widest construction of his opponents, which he
never made.
| Again. because he did not intermeddle with the
matter when it was before the Representatives, which
he certainly had no right to do and influence his
friends to support the measure and its provisions,
whether he or they thought them proper or not, he
is condemned, to bear all the blame of its miscar
riage-On the other hand, if the President had inter
meddled with proposition pending before the House
RI he would deservedly have rendered himself obnox
ious TO the hue and cry of using official influence
over the councils OF an independent branch OF the
Legislature. With such opponents, if he acts, he
does wrought he forbears to act, he ahandens du
ty-if he controls the votes of his friends suppos
ing that he could possibly do so, he is guilty, with
so,e o! an unconstitutional interference with other
branches of the goyernment-if he does not attempt
to controu them, he is saddled, by Others with the
2 blame of the miscarriage Of the measure.
> The true ground Of difficulty in relation to chang
ing this part of the constitutions is now to dispos
OF and regulate the election of President, when j
, fails to be consummated by the electoral colleges
and upon this ground It's destined to fail perpeua!y
The views and the suggestions are so various, ant
the feelings Of state sovereignty 50 strong, tina
/ there is little hope of coincidence Of opinion il
r any chauye--and this is the why the PROPOSE
: ton failed when it was before Congress, and no
n from any want Of interference aid the part
e the President
: There can be no doubt that there are many met
~ in this country, who would desire this change IN I'LL
= constitution If they could substitute satisfaction
=, PROFESSIONALISM it is equally well known, that par
ticuar set of politicians have fixed their hearts ant
H. ~ h,noc
= agement as the great aad efficient means to regu
late the Presidential question for some time to come
J, To them s. This is the road to BGzanfauna,1 OF
~ which they are moving in gallant array. ;,
RI Tedious as these details are, which have swelle
80 this address to extent much beyond our wishes
e we are compelled to ections that are gravel
and indusriously put forth, however unsound Il
70 their view or uniounded in fact-and must TAX
notice of last objection, relating to the Coon,a
: Trade, which charges the administration with IN
loss of this trade-Grst from neglect to give nstruc
IS tons to our muister,-and secondly, by omittln
-, to recommend the repeal Of the discriminating gu
or tes--and lastly are blamed for abandoning term
81 that were asked by former MISUNDERSTANDING
" terms, it was ascerained, could never De granted
ns We will meet these objections by plain state
es ment Of the facts belonging to the case-and aith'
=, none would more sincerely deplore the loss OF IN
ad direct trade with the British West Indies, and non
So would be prompt to resent Its ioss' "heIe
70 could be ascrbed to bad conduct, than ourselves
P vet we are far from duplicating the conduct Of other
by ndefensibe suspicious or attacks TO answer POI
% cal ends.
20 Iii presumed that the Administration IS not mel
responsible for any measure that took place nsloi
u Il came into powerit will be unnecessary there
,' fore to look back beyond the termination OF tn
negotiation IN the hands Of Mr.. Rush, IN the yes
1924. This unadjused negotiation left US at th
ID time in possession Of very trade VIII
inc the British West Indies, and at the time was su
~, nended il was with an understanding that the n