Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-02-27

on that moor which would never be deserted by hin
while he occupied place there. He hoped never to
become so dereicteo regardless of his duty to his
constituents and to his State-as to forbear any eff
forts in his power to support their rights and he would
sustain their rights and INTERESTS notwithstanding all
the attempts made there elsewhere to interrupt his
course; and he proud ofthe support of the House,
Mr.. Speaker, (said Mr. W. without further pre-
AIDE Twill proceed in the discussion as had intend
ed.
Heretofore, Sir, more than once have been called
to vote on propositions to amend the Constitutions
IN the part providing for the election of Chief Mag-
Strate, aud have been unfortunate in my votes us
to draw down upon myself the vituperation of MANY
violent political partisans viii advert now to enc
of these votes, for which have been more abused
than for any other vote ever gave. The gentle
man from South Carolina [Alr. McDufie intr odu-
ced propositions TO amend the Constitution with the
avowed object of preventing the election of presi-
deEt from devolvng on this House, to secure to the
People the Choice OF that high officer. and decarn =
that those people qualified to vote for the nume-
reus branch of the Legislature in the different States
ought to vote directly for President and Vice presi-
dent without the intervention of Colleges Of Elec-
tors. To attract the public attention. and teudiu0
20 nfiame the public mind even if nct intended
1t was alleged that, in the choice Of President four
years ago, resort had to bargain. intrigue and
management, by and amongst the members OF this
House, to deprive the People of their voice and will
in the choice; and was aid the choice made uas
III opposition to the expressed will ofthe people,
was not surprised that the People, under the inl-
en- of the very extraordinary eXertions used were
excited and that the motives of their Representa-
tlves should be lmpugned The remedy then propo-
sed for the evil uniform dstrctinp system That
has been adopted in the State of New York; but
before any election has succeeded it's a,ioDton the
People, even in that State have become dissatisfied
with the change, and measures are taknr to r;v.
the election to the People, voting by general
method / think the best hitherto adopted in prac-
tIce This change in public opinion should adnon
1sh us to forbear amendments to the Constitution,
unless in cases ofPapabe necessity and then to pro-
coed with dclberation.
1t is worthy ofremark that, even under the CRY
then raised, that the will Of the People had been VI
olated, the remedy then proposed sought not 10 en-
large the powers of the People, but to c,,ta them
Ito restrain them, in their choice to Electors in
small districts. Yet many honest people were made
to believe the district proposition took power from
this House, and gave TO the People some new n-;vi
lege and, under that belief censued the adverse vote
of their Representatives..
Fit was right then to adopt means to prevent the
election from devolving on the House OF Represen-
tatives, what has transpired since TO change public
opinion? Why not take some step to prevent
the election from devolving this House, Iftbe
House obnoxious to the charge OF corrnpfioD il,
1895, is it more safe now? Ttso should like n
know why. 1.-THE evil exists or is still apprehen
ded, why is remedy proposed? Why has tho
gentleman from Virginia General Smith abandon
ed, after his former argument all his propositions
but the one taking from the People portion of tho
power they have?
Sir has been said, by the gentleman from Virpin,
IN his former speech, that the members on this floor
we're in the election Of the present President ,nu-
enced by bargain, intrigue and uenent TINT thn
would continue TO be subject to such corrupt influence
IT eligible, TO Office under the President If regard
Tor the public WILL occasioned the proposition to make
members ineligible, why now abandon that subject
and rely solely limiting the Deope in ,I,o
exercising their elective franchise lcavin ne,nhers
here subject as before, to corrupt influence Sir fh,
j Individual who has been elected President has him
selfrccommended the amendment to make members
Ineligible, In solemn act of resignation to the Lers
lature of Tennessee and enforced his views in series
ofvery forcibe reasons, well calculated to carry com
viction to the minds OF the most sceptcaI DECLARING
haf the avenue to the corruption ofembers the ave-
nue. through which corruption would sap the Govern
rent to its foundation. shall hereafter advert rnrs
particularly to this Why change the proposi
ton! Do gcrtleen here look 70 office under the NON,
order of things' lis there nosuspcion abroad ofntr
que or management, or the desire or lust ofoffce in
the late election? Does this solemn declaration oftho
President elect, who whatever else NAV he said ne
of him. has universally credit for pertinacous adhc
renee to opinions deliberately formed CIT OF contain
gentlemen in Congress- his late supporters from their
golden antlcipaons their hopes Of prefarment2 And
does that induce the effort Il hope not q ,evennef,l
oae) to render him ineligible to reelection by the
people; to take away from them the pryiIcne ofvong
for him again, should he continue their favorite
l confess 1t looks something like it. Is this linita-
ton TO be hung an tes'yoyens the head of Gen
eral Jackson.
Sir, if l were to look for efforts TO secure 70 in
triguers and barganers, the fruits Of their corrunt
exertions, the means of eff"ctinr their own ends
to frlstrate the voice Of the Poodle and TO curfoI
their power, think should have no occasion TO
60 back TO the election in 1925. could find more
recent evidences in transactions in this House at
time approXlnatlng to the present MISUNDERSTANDING
much stronger proof of disposition intrigue even
TO change the fundamental law of the land the Con
stitution of the United States. To effect a change
IN that Constitution, the work of Washington Ham
iton and Madison, and under which this People have
enjoyed unexampled happiness and prosperity A
ongst other used to dssaisfy the People with
the Constitution, and to produce change in it. anon
yrnous confidential letters have boon written, and
secretly circulated among the members ofthis House
addressed to the ambitious homes the lust of poyer
ofindividuas 10 influence their votes on the gentle
mans proposition.
] have, on former occasion. alluded to this subject
and called your att cDton to what supposed was
copy. have nov the original draft of that letter
Il; ol, T