Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1828-08-26

pllment to ourselves or 10 hepuOican government
fthere was Constitution we'll considered and
deliberately adopted, it was ours.
| What is the Constitution now ? limo person have
majority of electoral votes g. then from the per-
sons having the highest numbers, not exceeding
three on the list of those voted for President the
House Of Representatives shall chosse, Immediate
w, by ballot, the President but in choosing the
President the votes shall be taken by states, the
representation from each state having one vote.
| The People then have ordained that the House of
Representatives shall choose from the three highest
they are perfectly free to choose Perfectly
free I? Are they not bound to vote for him who has
most electoral voices No. Had that been the
will of the people, they would have safd, at once.
he who has plurality shall be the President; that
would have been conclusive-there the matter
would have ended. The House of Representatives
would have had nothing to do with it. No respon-
sbility would have rested on them. Such was not
the will of the people and doubtless for wise rea-
sons.
The House of Representatives then is perfectly
free to choose among the three highest. Then
there is obligation to vote for him that is highest
more than for him that ia lowest. So the people
| have willed it.
/ Delaware, with one member, is to have much
weight as New York, with thirty-four members I
What one to have as much weight as thirty four?
Is this right? Ought not that one to give up his
opinion Ought not Delaware and Rhode-Island to
York Shall three Representatives balance sixty
d say take the Constitution the People, in their
sovereign pleasure have formed it, for they weigh.
ed all the considerations which could have any bear
ing On the matter live leave the constitution, and
undertake to set up principle OF construction for
!, eign to that instrument, under some Squares rule
of right, however fair it may seem, by itself, and
in the abstract, you push to without compass or
lchart-you introduce rule, which the people have
not introduced, unknown 10 the constitution, to
. govern the constitution. You take away power
which the people have con6ded to their Rcpresen-
atives freely to exercise, according, to their judg-
ments, and you set up an authority superior to the
will of the people and the Constitution, and that 10
"a principle of Despotism.
! 1t is in vain to say, Representatives are not to be
n trusted. If not, in whom we con6de? If per.
sons chosen by the people are not honest and vr.
tuous enough to be entrusted with power. put the
question solemnly, is there any hope Of The Repub-
Tic If the people virtuous and intelligent, will
they not choose, in the main virtuous and intelligent
.. agents 1t is libel on Republican government to
say that you may not repose confidence in the Re-
o. representatives. of the People Such is the dictuna
nj fdespots and those who urge that not capa-
% BILE of sef-government. We ought to be CAUTIOUS
not to impair the respect and force ofRepublcan in
at stitutons by admitting position reproachful to
tv the people.
:, might, think, safely leave the argument here
n All those who revere the Constitution, am persua~
ded, would be satisfied with this view on the subject
q But choose to pursue it step further.
,dl Let us suppose case.
:. Suppose the South, holding States, having
he had the President. for thirywo, out of thirty six
nd years, should still insist having Shareholder.
and no body but Shareholder, for President, and
of should, as usual, unite upon one.
Al Suppose the NORTH thinking it fair sometimes to
have man who was from the free states should sup
port two men for President, unfortunately divided,
or AS they generally are, respecting men. One man
20 from the free states has, will suppose 10 votes.
Another 80 votes. The Southern Shareholder IO1
votes.
When it is manifested The Slave-holding states
combine and firmly unite on the ground of their PEI
culiar interests and insist on continuing the Presi.
dency in -holder--will it be said that the
ion members from the Free states, shall not unite to cleo,
os- a man from the free states!
As we are very much divided in respect to men
The and the Slave States always united that principle
ing in favor OF Slave holder, the contrary doctrine
would always place US at their feet, and make then
hat our rulers and masters indeed--I would give Their
OF their full share, but not ALL would allow then
&C. to be our brOthers-Our equals-not our superior
ich NOT our masters.
,ey So that it would be dangerous to adopt the doc
hat trne that he who happens to have the highest volt
av- has a righf-or claim to be chosen.
en- Again-Some reason from the popular opinio,
nd that as he who is highest the return for Sheriff
ought to have the commission SO he who is highes
of on the return for President, ought to have the Of
and fee.
ov- At first view it would SO. The reasoning i
nci- very plausible A strong and clear minded NAL
,ne might very well be led into the opinion, if he did
and look little deeper than the first view would enabl
the him to pene rate.
But why is the opinion general that the highes
/ is on the return, should be Sheriff. Because tn
aks greatest number of freemen wish it. This SCUM
ons republican doctrine. 1t is the will of the people
emn And if applied to the Of President would hav
n lgreat weight. But 1t does not. In eieCting tn
ion President fire ne groes of Georgia have as muc