Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-06-09

complaint is made was properly impaired 10 them b,
the Constitution in order TO The operation Of t
popular princp pie in the election of President To yield
this rightful weight and influence in a nominations 10
surrender the choice 1rond be substantially cire up
popular princpe and submit that minority should pre-
vail 10 where The popular principle should ope-
rate by majority The attempts array States against
States because they differ in size ought be repealed
because they are founded in principles the most mis-
chievous and nmical 10 the Consultations and could
they be successful, repete with great mischefs"
| Nc argument or analogy can be fairly drawn from
that provision OF the Constitution prescribing The mode
Of electng President by the House Of Representatives
There is nothing else like it akin il in or out OF
the Constitution. II has no connection with the popu-
lar principle in the election of President and Vice Pre-
sident, and have in The nomination Of csndl.
dates upon whom that principle is operate 10 fact,
we have right TO refer 10 this feature Of the Consti-
tuition, until have failed make election by
the people through the instrumenality of their cleo
toral colleges. And it the solemn duty Of all good
citizens to endeavor 10 give effect TO the popular prn
cpe before they mediate resort to the Federal prn
cipe. To attempt TO defeat the full and fair operation
oil the popular principle, or 10 compromise it under the
idea OF giving an equivalent, or making compensation
for the contingent advantage TO any of the States from
an election by the House, falls but little short of
attempt to commit fraud upon the Constitution. at is
an accidental, and not artificial disappointment in
the election of President, against which the Constitn
ton intended 10 provide" Under this aspect Of the
tingen right, in Of election by the HouA as a
consideration Of any weight in Convention designed
to give efficacy to the popular principle, as means TO
secure an election BY the people.
regret the apparently unconpromslng position OF
South Carolina. She has superior claim TO set her
self up the true standard of orthodoxy She seems to
have criticised plan Of eecting delegates to the
Convention with vehemence Of opposition Us if it
had been recommended 10 her adoption. Our Conven-
ton expressly declined TO recommend any general
mn he at Stafp m
own mode. Our mode may seem inconsistent 10 South
Carolina, and may appear TO her scrutnlsng vision 10
confound and blend homogeneous modes yet this nn-
calmly appearance her surely ought not to cause
US to be excommunicated from the Republican church,
or dsfra nchised members Of general Convention
South Carolina proposes elect, and has elected two
citizens in behalf of the State after the plan
of the equal representation in the Senate and she pro-
poses to elect delegate from each Congressional
District in imitation Of the House of Representatives.
will not say that this is blending incongruous modes,
makng an invdious distinction in the character and
dignity of her delegates, unknown 10 the Constitution,
in the appointment ofelecors To whatever criticism
her plan may be obnoxious, it is readily conceded that
she had the unques,ioned right to adopt it, that it can
i'm pair her full relative weight, and is reason for
reducing her TO an equality with Delaware, in the
Senate of the U. S. The charge against US, OF con-
founding the district plan with the vote US State, OF
blending incongruous NODES might with the same pro-
prety be urged against our mode OF appointing cleo
have elector for each district residing therein
yet aggregate the vote given for all on general
ticket and the electors give the VOTE not each accord
ing to the of his electoral District but each accord
ing the vote Of the whole State, thus securing unan
nifty in our electoral College, avoiding division, and
consulting the wish CT The majority Of the whole State
We ask TO be allowed do exactly The thing in
general Convention, 10 secure unanmty IN The BODY OF
delegates coming from the different districts, 10 har
NOME the conflicting views and preferences oil the d
feren sections into consistent whole according TO
the prevailing wish Of the majority, 10 conform to our
Democratic creed and TO exert whole energies, con-
centrated give effect to the popular principle Of The
Constitution in the election of President ard Vice
President. Ask to be allowed, do say? We propose,
and intend 10 exercise this right and relative influence
in the nominations to be made and dear chisalrous
sister State of South Carolina deliberately, peril
naciousy and modesly denies il TO
| Hc ,oW not surrender 1t. We appeal TO sister
Stues and call upon each 10 and vindcate it's
right 10 conform TO established usage 10 pursue ,s
mode Of appointing delegates and giving their votes.
If The South Carolina prescription is continued without
in,ermssion or relaxation of vgor, seriously appre.
bend that il must constitute nsuperahe obstacle 10
the complete union of the Democratic Party. II seems
to constitute the basis OF division upon principle
The plan and principle disappointment and voting, urged
by tha, State indispensable, sine qua in The
constitution Of the Convention, will never be adopted
by all the States, and in all probability will be viewed
with favor by very few
Will Georgia undo her work, recall set aside her
delegates, already appointed, md submssvey take the
prescription OF her cotermnous sister; VIII Arkansas
retrace her steps, spurn and condemn her own plan,
and overwhelmingly yield 10 the dctum of any STATE:
Will all those States who have. from long established
usage, appointed delegates through The medium Of a
State Convention, surrender their favorile mode: In
this crisis oil concerns becomes TO deal
ddly with each other, TO state what will coBcede,
| and what we will not. Let our friends in South Ga.
rona, in Maryland in every Stale Of the Union, dis
tinctly understand, that Virginia uncompromisngly
maintains her right 10 appoint her delegates TO the Ma
tionnl Convention IN her mode, and that she will
not surrender H. but that she most chez rfuy accords
TO her sister States the right and The freedom
of action. The question with has been settled in
State Convention, duly authorized 10 act upon the
subject, and after free discussion. Let every State
forth in all rankness, and declare its fixed
solve upon this vital question II readily be per-
ceved, that there is but mode of reconcIlng this
conflict Of plans and principles. That mode The one
adopted by bgo,ed and Infatuated Christians after ages
Of bloody prosecutions after fire and faggo had failed
produce conformity Of doctrine and worship; that
eiectual, glorious mode Of producing reconciliation
and promoting concord, IS ToLERATIoN. We lorebsw
this difficulty, declined to suggest any uniform
mode to be necessarily adopted by all the States a
sine qua non, and asked, what State shall presume
dictate 10 the rest and undertake ndispe nsably re-
qulre compliance with Ills forms and modes of pro
cedure ? We proclaimed, in advance, universal To-.
leration and general communion. .Euch State must
and to adopt its course of intermediate action
The delegates from each State, however appointed,
must be permitted 10 meet in grand council, und parti.
cpae the deliberations and decisions Of the Conyea-
ton The fact Of bona de election appointment,
can be the only test Of right 10 occupy seat among
| the assembled delegation"
have thus very hastily made some remarks upon
the character and principles of the address, put forth
by the South Carolina Convention. have not been
Influenced by any feeling on the mere question of
eecng thi5epr that to the Office of President or
Vice President. am not The partzan of any candi.
date. have my opinion and my preference-but this
is preference for one founded upon conviction of
his and qualifications, and not proceeding from
hostility to the rest entertain respect and friendship
for each of the eminent proposed for this exalted
station am most anxious to defeat the Wing party,
all sections and divisions Of il 10 induce The country 10
discard is and all its perncious and corrupt
practices My desire for the Of The Democratic
pnrty and for the election of President and Vice Pre-
sdent by that party, is vastly paramount TO any wish
entertain for the advancement Of any man. And de-
sire fair attempt to effect election by The
people of all The States, large ond small upon the popu.
lar principle OF the Conslitution-or. it. in the Ian.
guage of John Taylor of Caroline they should, by an
/