Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-14


Rsnresen,a,ives the memorable contest between Thos
Jefferson and Aaron Burr Jefferson and Burr were
unfortunately elected, according to the existing pro
vision of the CONSTITUTION, and without designation Of
office and vet il was Notorious throngh bout the Union
Tim, tho former was desired for President and the lat
Tor FIR Vice President The Constitutions precuding
n formal expression Of such Intentionally mere theo
~, in opposition well known fact, left this prefer
Ience matter of doubt. Political honesty required
of the House Of Representatives conformity oil
The votes to be riven to the well understood in
, tentions of the Electors, and the emphatic wish
of the People. The attempt to folst Aaron Burr
into the Presidency by the Federal'ss, was loudly and
solennly condemned by the American public. Mora
,reachery to the popular will, sought in vain for jus
tiGca,ion under theoretical subterfuge. 1t is true
that The constitutional power existed TO select Mr. Burr
but the Constitution did not erjoin such preference
and the popular voice did not require IT. IL 10 equally
true thai the constitutional privilege existed of dccln
ng to vote for Mr. Burr and OF giving The preference
TO Mr. Jefferson desired by the people, and accord
ant with the views Of the wise trainers OF the Constu
ion who thought lha, sit desirable that the
OF the People should operate IN the choice OF the person
[, whom so important trust was 10 be confCed In
such contingency, what ought love OF The Constr
tuition, respect for the public will, and upright motive
10 have dictated:
No good man, no pure patriot can study the history oil
that cvenful struggle without rising desire to prevent
similar nee and without commenting the wis
dom of the plan Of designation incorporated by Repub
licansm into the Constitution AS part OF The amend
ment in case the election should, Notwithstanding thu
designation by the electors, de volve on the Houee
REPRESENTATIVES, that body restricted in its selection
10 the three highest The list instead OF hve os for
merly. The TWO provisions together tend greatly to
diminish the probability Of the election gong " the
! House by DUNN shing the number who could be
prolted by scue there, and to that extent removing
the motives for effort 10 carry 1t there
The limitation like the designation, was carried by
a party vote One Fetcralis Of eminent talents, Ii.
notify Pickering voted in favor OF inserting three, in
stead Of five declaring that the trainers oil the C0nsii-
tuition intended that the People should eccci the Prcs
5cnt and that the substitution Of the number three in
s,e,d of FIVE was nearer approximation TO their will
The conduct Of Timothy Pickering on that occasion,
becomes more remarkab and more memorable by its
contrast with the of his colleague, John Quincy
Adams The latter opposed the hole amendment We
hemenlly and resisted the substitution Of the number
three upon the ground, that II would diminish the
chances OF the small States TO elect President in the
!ol.,c and cur,ail The privilege Of the House because
il was greater privilege to select IRON hvc than from
three. Substantially, hc was III favor OF defeating all
election BY The people, as intended by the trainers oil
the CONSTITUTIONS for arrayng the small States against
the primary mode of the Constitution and for reserrlng
TO the House The greatest possible latitude for departing
from the Of the people In the progress OF time,
occurred this !cmarr able man Ia be thrown before
the House in contest for the Presidency The cleo
tora votes had not placed him foremost in the conf.
d,nce of his counrymen. lie was. however, du,
elected according 10 the secondary mode Of the Con-
sttution and the announcement oil his selection, made
a notable reply. Did he mean in that response 10
render the former doctrines which he had urged in the
Senate; Did he. al this crcntin moment OF his life,
in his new position Of responsibility, scnsiby feel the
necessity aud therefore, appreciate the advantage Of
popular confidence III assuming the station OF Pfesl.
dent: Was he suddenly struck, win lightning from
Heaven with the conviction that The capacity Of all
Administrations to render beneficial service 10 the
try greatly augmented by The support and confidence
of the people Was he momentarily inspired with an
honest feeling OF dependence upon his constituents and
with an apprehension that without their favorable OPT.
MON and liberal cooperation, all his efforts for wise
and wholesome administration OF the Government
might prove abortiye and he be constrained 10 sit, with
his arms folded pacd by The will Of his constituency
Coud he have sportcd with sincerity, and yed the
hvpocric, when he declared that, il Tie forms Of the
Constitution permitted, he would surrender the Office
the people, taa, they might make nearer approach TO
unanimity !;
We have rccurrcd fellow citizens, perhaps tediolsy
10 the Constitutional provisions the subject Of the
election Of President and Vice Prcsldent-to the his
tory of their amendment, and the incidents connected
therewh-and also 10 The two instances OF an election
BY The House of Representatives, for the purpose of
arousng you solemn consideration OF the great
sponsbility which rests upon you, and Of stimulating
Your minds to just conception OF the oll.imporanl
duty which you have 10 perform in tho approaching
struggle.
Sincere in belief in The doctrines and principles
of he Democratic party-proioundy penetrated with
lie conviction, that tn maintenance OF them essc =
tal 10 the fair Interpretation OF the CONSTITUTIONS is
congcnal 10 the rights of the States; is promove alike
Of the happiness and prosperity oil all is conservative
of the integrity Of This Union-wc feel anxious soli
cudc which will not disguise, and in which we are
confident you participate 10 It's full extent for the cleo
ton 10 the Presidency Of competent individual,
who WILL in good faith, make these principles the basis
of his admnsra on and zeaously endeavor, in prac-
tice 10 conform to these doctrines The trainers OF The
Constitution, elevated above party considerations and
par,izan feelings provided mode for the election oil
President by the People: and il is The demonsirabe duty
of all citizens whatever may be their political assoca-
tions, endeavor 10 accomplish it, We may avail our
selves Of the secondary mode when unfortunately the
first has failed. But surely justified in viii
fully aiding defeat election in the first instance,
with the lcrior view and prcmedilatcd design Of bet
ter success resort 10 The secondary mode iie who
would endeavor 10 defeat election by the People in
the first instance, from the hope OF success founded on
the calculation OF chances in contest before the House
is neither true friend 10 the Constitution 4 trust
worthy ady ocac Of popular election. iIe Who would
Intentionally fonent divisions among his own political
associates court the support Of political adversares or
form selfish alliances and partnerships with Them Che
rhes not that abiding devotion 10 his proessed princi
pies which predominaes over all desire of personal pre-
ferment.
Is i. not then manifesty the duty and the policy Of
the Democratic party unite in consultation for the
purpose of producing such harmonious action, as will
ensure the a,cendancy of their principles and effect
popular choice of President: Fortunately for US, our
party obligations and constitutional duties arc in
unson. The faithful discharge of the latter involves
successful luilment Of the former.
Although the indications are favorable TO Tie progress
of our doctri es and although the brilliant riumps oil
our cause in all directions furnish proof Of the ascend
ancy of principles throughout the Union; yet we
may perhaps be divided in the choice of men, and oil
that account fail in the election Of President. n dlv
son produced BY prediction for men, lies our great
est and only danger. To conceal it from ourselves
would be unworthy, shorsighted and disingenuous.-
To shrink from the contemplation of the imminent dan
ger in all il, magnitude, would righully subject us to
the double mputalion of cowardice and reaohcry.-
lie, u.s. fclow-citizens, like men, look the dagger u
the face, and lis progress will be checked Let IS
resolve n the dsta>c Is not mortai-tha i. can DC
cired--and noble resolution will carry healing
on lis wings. Let every resolve 10 surrender
his preference 10 The choice Of the majority,
and union and success at secured. Who
will parade their attachment 10 men in advance
Of their allegiance 10 the Constitution Who will
set up their devotion TO men, rival 10 their devo-