Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-12-16

lofouE sister republics, aud more particularly IN
that of our immediate neighbor, It wouio De
most gratifying to ne, were permitted 70 say
that the treatment which we have received al
her hands has been as universally friendly as
the early and constant solicitude manifested py
| tho United States for her success, gave US
right to expect BUTT becomes my duty 10 IN
form you that prendices, long INDUCED oy a
portion of the inhabitants of Mexico against the
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister PlenlPoten-
tiary of the United States, have had an unlertu-
nate influence upon the affairs OF the Two ceun-
tries, and have diminished that usefulness 10 ms
own which was Justly to be expected from MS
talents and zeal. To this cause, 10 great DE-
gree, is to be imputed the failure OF severa meas
ures equally interesting to both parties; but par
ticularly that ofthe Mexican Government to ra-
tify Treaty negotiated and concluded IN us
own capital and under its own eye. Onder
these circumstances. it appeared eXpedlent 70
give to Mr.. Poinsett the option either 10 return
OF not, as, in his Judgment the interest Oh ms
country might require, and instructions 10 mat
end were prepared; but, before they could be
DESPATCHED, communication was received from
the Government of Mexico, through Its Charge
d'Affaires here, requesting the recall OF our MIN
lister. This was promptly compiled with; and
Representative of rank corresponding with
that of the Mexican diplomatic Agent near this
! Government was appointed. Our conduct to-
wards that Republic has been uniformly OF the
most friendly character; and having thus re-
moved the only alleged obstacle to harmonious
intercourse. | cannot out hope that an advan
tageous change will occur in our affairs.
In Justice TO Mr. Ponsett it is proper to say
that my immediate compliance with the aPpllca
Gon for his recall, and the appointment ola sue
cessor, are not to be ascrlbed to any evldsnct
that the imputtion of an improper interference
by him, in thelocal politics Of Mxlco, was vel
founded; nor to a want of confidence in his tai
ents or integrty and TO add, that the truth
that charge hal never been affirmed by the Fed
eral Government of Mexico, in its cOmmunlca
tons with this
Iconsider one Of the most urgent ofmy du
ties to bring your attention the ProPrlety o
amending that part of our Constitution which
relates to the election of President and Vice
President Our system of government was, BY
ITS trainers, deemed an experiment; and they
therefore, consistently provided mode oil RENE
dying its defects.
To the People belongs the right of eIectlnl
their Chief Magistrate; it was never designe'
that their choice should 10 any case, be defeat
ed, either by The Intervention Of electoral col
leges. or by The agency CODhied under certair
contingencies 10 the House o: Representative
Experience proves. that, m proportion IA agents
execute the will Of The People are multiplied
there is danger OF their wishee beng frustrated
i Some nav be unfaltbful: all are liable to erT
So far therefore, as the people can with conve
lnence speak. 1t is safer for them 10 exPrt
! theI own viii
The number of sspirants TO the Presidency
and the diversity Of interests which Gay lnflu
ence their claims, leave little reason to expec
choice 10 the first Instance; and; 10 that event
the election must devolye 90 the House Of Re
representatives., where it is obvious the will Of lh
People may not always De ascertained, or, If as
Iceriained, may not be regarded From III
mode of voting by States the choice 10 TO b
made by twenty four votes; aud it may often &C
cur, that one Of these may be controlled by al
individual Representative. HOnors aud office
are at the disposal Of the successful candidate
! Repeated ballotings may make II apparent that
! single individual holds the cast IN bis hands
May Oe not Oe teu pleU 10 hdue ais Ie"BIO4 Du
even without rrUption-supposlDg the PROFIT.
1fthe Representative 10 lie pIoofagaInst the pow
erlul motives by which he may be assailed-th'
will OF the People is still constantly liable to 81
mGrepresented One may err from ignorance
Of the wishes of bis constituents; another, from
conviction that it is his duty to be governed b,
his own Judgment of the fitness OF the candl
dates finally, although all were naeKibIy homes
all accurately informed of the wishes of thei
constiluents-yet under the present mode of c
lection, minority may often elect the President
aud when this happens, II may reasonably be eX
pected that efforts will be made on the part 0
the majority, to reCtIly this injurious operation
oftheir institutions But although no evil Oftti
character should result from such a perversie
Ofthe first principle Ofour systen--that The ma
jOriy is 10 goUern--it must be very certain tina
a President elected BY minority, cannot EMO
the confidence necessary TO The successful dis
charge of his duties.
| Ia this, as in all other matters Of public con
Germ, policy requires that as few impedImenls a
possible should exist TO the free operation of tn
public will Let Us, then, endeavOr so to amen
lour system that the Office Of Chief Magislrat