The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-12-17

4 uHC6s etIOuRlJ llulShtc, tbah tbu spun I
Independence is the master spirit, and if
corresponding sentiment prevails in III
other States, this devotion TO liberty can
not be without proper effect upon th,
councils Of the mother country. The q
doption, by Spain, of a pacific policy TO
wards her former Colonies--an event con
soling to humanity, and blessing TO th
world, in which she herself cannot fai
largely to participate-may be most rea
sonably expected.
The claims Of our citizen. upon the South
American Governments. generally, are in
train Of settlement; while the principal par
of those upon Brazil have been adjusted
and Decree in Council, ordering bonds
TO be issued by the Minister Of the Treasu
ry for their amount, hns received the sane.
ton Of his Imperial Majesty. Thi. event
together with the exchange ef the ratih
cation. Of the Treaty negotiated and con.
cludSd in 1893, happily terminates all ,cri'
Gus causes of difference with that Power.
Measures havo hcen taken toplhcc our com.
morcial relations with Peru upon better foot.
ing than that upon which they hayo hithsrto
rested and if met by proper disposition on
tho part OF that Government, important ben.
cfts may be secured TO both countries.
Deeply interested as wo arc in the prosperity
Of our sister republics, and moro particularly
in that Of our immediate neighbour 1T would be
most gratifying TO me, were permitted 70 cay
that the treatment which wo havo received q,
her hands has been as universally friendly a,
the early md constant solicitudc msnies,ed
by the United States for her succcss, gave u,
right 10 expect. But il becomes my duty 10
inform you that prejudiccs, long 'ndulged by o
portion of the inhabitants Of Mexico against
The Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni.
poientisry of the United States, have had an
unfortunate influence upon tho sfars of tho
Two countries. and hsvo diminished that use
fulaef- 10 his own which vss Justly 10 be ex.
neeted from his talents nd resl. To this cause
in great degrees, is 10 20 imputed the 70 lure
Of several measures equally interesting TO both
PARTIES; but particularly thsi OF the McIicsn
Government TO ratiiy Treaty negotiated and
conc1drd in its own capital and under its own
oyc. Under these circumstances, il appeared
eIpedicnt 10 give Mr. poinscu the option ci.
ihcr 20 return or not. as in his judgmea,, the
interest of his country might require, end in.
stfuctions TO that end were prepsrcd; but, he
fore they could be despatched, Il communities.
tim was received from the Government Of
NrXco. through It's Charge dAfIaires here,
requesting Tho rec, II of our minister. 1h.s vas
promptly compiled with; 0nd a Representative
fsrsns corresponding with that Of the Mex.
icsn diplomatic Agent near this Government
vas appointed. Our conduct towards that re-.
public has been uniformly of the most friendly
character; and having thus removed tho only
alleged obstacle 90 hsvmor,.evs intercourse, !
can".s but hope ihs, IN sdvan,a gsous change
will occur in our affairs.
ia justice to Mr.. poinsett IL ispropsr to say,
that my immediate compliance with the appli
cation for his recall, ard the appointment Of u
successor, ere not TO DO sscribod TO any evil
dcnce that tho i,aputetiop On impopcr in
reference by him, IN the locel polite, of Nor
ico, was well founded; nor 10 a want Of conf.
dencc in his talents or integrity; ard TO odd,
that the truth of TINT charge has never been
affirmed by She Federal Government Of Mox.
lco, IN It's communications with this.
cnnsidcr il ono Of the most urgent q my
dutles TO bring 10 your attention the proprety
Of amending that part Of our Constitution
~hchfelates TO tho election Of President end
Elco President, Our system Of government
was. by its framcrs, deemed an experiment,
aud they, therefore, consistently provided Il
mode Of rsmcdyiug its defects
To the People belongs the right Of electing
their tLlef Magistrate; ii ~as never designed
that their choice should, in any case, be DC.
icated, either by tho intervention Of electoral
colleges, or by the agency conGded, under Ger.
tain contingencies to lhe House of Represen.
taives. Experience proves, that IN proper.
ton as agents To execute the will Of the Poo.
pie are multiplied, there is danger d their
wishes beng frustrated Some mny be un
faithful: all are liable 10 err 80 far, there.
fore, ss the People can, with convenience
speak, il is saier for them to express their own
will.
Tho number Of aspirsnts 10 tho Presidency
and the diversity Of tho interests which may
influence their claims, leave little reason 10
expect choice in tbe Grst instance; and, in
that event, the election must dovolve on the
House Of Representatives, where, il is obvious
the will Of tho people Iney not DO always as
ceriained, or, ii ascertained, may not be re
garded. From the mode Of voting by States
the choice is to benindc by twenty four votes
and it may often occur, TINT ono Of theso may
be controlled by on individual Representative
Honors and Offices are at the disposal Of the
successful candidate. Repeated balloting,
may make it apparent that a single individual
holds tho cast in bis hand. May he not bc
tempted 10 namo his reward But even with
out corruption tupposing the probi,y Of The
Representative 10 bo proof against the power
ful motives by which no may be sssailod-the
will Of the People is still constantly liable ,c
be misreprssenlod Ono may err from igno
rance Of tho wishes .of kis constituents; ano
ther, from q conviction that il 10 his duty Il
be governed by bis own judgment Of the I'll,
ness of tho candidates finally, although al
we're inhsTiby honest oil accurately inform
cd Of the wishes Of their oonstituents-yet
under the present modo ofcloc,ion,s minority
may often elect the President aud when thu
happens, IT may reasonably bo expected tha
efiO.ts will be made on tho part Of the major
ity, 10 rectiiy this injurious operation to thei
institutions. But although no evil Of thii
character should result from such psrver
sion Of the first principle Of our system-ihd
The majority IS TO gorsrn-it must be very
certain that a President elected BY minority