The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1842-08-18
Speech Of Mr.. Graham,
OF NORTH CAROLINA

SpEGGM VI 4NTe WEdnG&ts
or NORTH CAROLINA.
On The Distfieling Clause 81 the Apperiionmens
Bill delivered 10 The Senate d me U. states,
June 3. Ie42
The Apponionment Bill being under
consideration. Mr.. GRAHAM said:
Dir. PRESIDENT: ] am swafs Of The
impotence oil The Senate 10 sois On lhs
bill, and Of The urgency With which HE
State Legislalures, either now In session
or shortly to convene. demsnd speedy ac-
lion spon il. Bun. - The provision con
tanned in The second section Of tbs bill.
requiring members Of The House Of Rep.
rsssniauses 10 be chosen in every S,ass
by single districts, 10 about 10 DO estab-
lshed by lsw Of Congress Cor The 6,s,
line. and a. has been inseighed sgainsl
in this debate 40 an innovation, not solIcii-
ed Or desired in any quarter, contrary 90
he faith and spifi, OF the Constitution,
and forbidden By iis Terms. I. who give 10
|, ny cordial spprobanon. must clam
yosr indulgence 70 offer ny views in ~
defence.
have listened a,tsniively 10 the new.
bold, and ingenious theory Of The honor
able Senator from Alabama Mr.. Baghy)
who has just taken his seat. affirming that
The election Of members Of The House BY
general ticket, a. II 10 called, where sach
and every elec,or votes Tor - msny mem
bers a. are 10 be chosen tom the State, is
the only constitutional mode Of election;
and. by cnnsrqaenrc. that The practice
iif.hs o. The States Of ,hs Union !, u,isilly
Al variance with The true meaning Of the
Il Constitution. Those who adopt This the
orr. winch implies that the con,empnra
RES and many Of the trainers Of the Con-
sii,uunn did MOI comprehend IL. true i'm
port on hi. important subject ri repre-
ssntaiion, and that the action Of the Fed
,rsl Government, as well as that Of almost
/. every State, for more than half century.
has been erroneous in regard 10 il. will
look with some charity upon whateser ol
novelty thers may be in the uniform sys
TEN III election by districts as now pro-
posed. Their own idea, tina, The general
ticket sysem 10 the only constitutional
mode OF choosing Representatives, is mol
only nosel, but fraught, ss | conceive,
with danger to the Union itself; inasmucf
|, ~, practically, il would enable four, or a
. most ave, OF the twentv.six States Of III,
Coniederacy SHOULD they be so disposed
Ito control the most important branch o
tie National Legislature. This cons'ruc
, lion oil the Constitution. as | undersian.
+ The argument oil the Senator. is derive,
. soleIy from the direetlon.lhat members .
the House Of Representatives shall b
chosen "by The People If the sesera
|, S,ales;" and he insists tina, III is an abrldg
mcn, Of The right Of suffrage not 10 ALLOW
; every slector 10 vote for IS many member
} as are 10 be elected from the Stale o
, shlch he il q citizen. The error oil thl
, construction apprehend TO consist n
allowing too much force to mere gsne'a
r words, without reference to circumstance
r hich restrain and control their general
uy. The very same sentence Of tn
, Constitution proceeds to negative III
surpositiun that The whole 1" People" Or
10 vn,e hy requiring the electors 10 "has
the qualifications tsquisi,e for electors
\ The most numerous branch of the Ssa,
. Legislature, thus excluding large POI
\ ZION fpethaps a msinrl,yl Of those wh
i arc oronerly dpnominated 81 Peapie" q
!, the Safe from The right Of suffrage ats
A ee,her. The bills of rights in many
j. The State constitutions declare that a
! political power is vested IN and derive
n from the People oniy;" and that /" III
4 legislative authority shall be vested
E two distinct branches. bath dependent
Q the People." Blu, no one has ever IL
d lerred lrum these general expressions ID
members OF The State Legislatures ar
!, each, to be slslced by The en,ire body
II The People oi The State.
= Having reference 10 public consen
ence, az yell ss 10 The True theory ot re
il tcsenta,ire government. every Stale h
Ii directed its Legislature 10 be constitute
|. by divisions OF the People choosing re-
! sesen,a,ives, each for itself, and thes
: together, forming us Grnessl Assembt
/, Tie improperly As well As the danger
!. at aching too much importance 10 nae
. general terms, without reference 10 an
!. thing else, il most srlkinsly manifest