The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-12-18

nations, The latter is an arrangement
wholly independent ofthe treaty Of Adri-
anople; and the former derives much value,
not only from the increased security which,
under any circumstances, It would give to
the right in'question, but from the fact,
ascertained in'the course Of negotiation,
that by the construction put upon that
treaty by Turkey, the article relating to
the passage ofthe Bosphorus is confined
to nations having treaties with the Porte.
The most friendly feelings appear to be
entertained by the Sultan, and an enlight-
ened disposition is eyinced by him to fos-
ter the intercourse between the two coun-i
tries by the most liberal arrangements
Thisrdisposition it wil'be our duty and in
terest to chcrish.ss v7spnsL So vkh ~
Among the objects Of great national
concern,I cannot omit to press again up.
on your attention that part ofthe Consti-
tuition which regulates the election Of
President and Vice PRESIDENT The ne
cessity for. its amendment is made so
clear to my mind, BY the observation .of
its evils, and by the many able discuss
ions which they have elected on the floor
of Congress and elsewhere, that l should
be wanting to my duty were toowith+I
hold another, expression Of my deep So
licitude upon the subject, Our. system
fortunately contemplates recurrence to
first principles, differing, in this respect,
from all that have proceeded it, and se-
curing it, ! trust, equally against the de-
cay and the commotiens which have mark
ed the progress of other Governments,-.
Our fellowc citizens, too, who, I'm pfopor-
tion to their love ofliberty, keep q steady
eye,on the means of sustaining it, do not
require to be reminded of the duty they
owe to themselves to remedy all defects.
in 50 vital a part Of their system. Willie
they are sensible that every evil attend
ant upon its operation ia not necessarily
indicative of bad organization, but may
proceed from temporary causes yet the
habitual presence, or even a single in
stance ofevils which can be clearly trac-I
ed to an organic defect, will not, / trust,
bo overlooked through too ,scrupulous
veneration for the work, of their ances-
tors. The Constitution was an expert
inert committcdto the virtue and intelli-
gence ofthe great mass Of our country
men, in whose ranks the framers of it
themselves were to form the part ofpatriot
ic observation and scrutiny; and if they
have passed from the stage of existence
with an increased confidence IN its gener-
al adaptation to our condition, we should
learn from authority 50 high the duty Of
fortifying the points in it which time proves
to be exposed, rather than be deferred
from approaching them by the suCges-
tons offear, or the dictates Of misplaced
reverence. aga 1 10 OI ytiiy.9N asxel
A provision which does not secure to
the people direct choice Of their Chief
Magistrate, but has tendency to defeat
their will, presented to my mind lsuch an
Inconsistency with the generalispirit of odf
institutions,ithat'l avas induced to- suggest
for your consideration the Substitute
which appeared to me, at the same time,
the most likely to correct the evil and to
meet the views Of our constituents The
most mature reflection since has added
strength to the belief that the best ointer.
ests of our, country require the speedy
adoption Of some plan calculated to effect |
this end, A contingency which some
Zines places il in the power Of a single
member of the House of Representatives
to decide an election ofso high and SOL
emn acharacter, is unjust to the people
md becomes, when il occurs, a source OF
to the, individuals thus
brought into power, and cause of dis
rust of the Repre- sentative body. Liza
lie .as the confederacy is from its great
,xtent, to parties founded on sectional inr
erests, and to a corresponding multiplica- /,
ion OF candidates for the Presidency, the d
endency Of the constitutional reference b
0 the House Of Representatives, is, tc III
evolve the election upon that body in al d
,ost every instapce; and whatever choice IL,
ray then be made among the candidates Il
nus presented 10 them, TO swell the in G
uence Of particular interests tona de- d
rec inconsistent will. the general good. a
he consequences OF this, feature of the n
constitution appear far more. threatening d
/, the peace and integrity Of the Union,
ian any which, can conceive as likely LIZ
: result 'f?h,ithee simple legislative ,actd Il
m ofthe Federal Coyeranent.i.bncan nnj IN
-. l.