Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-11-16

mol the vote 10 give, and might avoid all the res.
possibility that is attached 10 the vote, yet as
citizen Of that State, and colleague in public
duties, | hope you will feel willing TO give mo
your own views on the subject. | shall be glad
OF your opinion, for whom you think, under all
the circumstances, the vote OF our State ought to
be given and the reason on which you found that
opinion. wish to crafty my constituents on
this and all other questions, and to discharge my
duties in such a way as shall result to the public
good. Your early compliance will oblige
Your obedent servant,
JOHN SCOTT.
To the above received the following
beautiful and abe reply
WAsHIYGToS CRY Jan'y %, 1925.
Hon. JoHN Scorr: Sri have received aud
considered your letter OF The 2Gth instant, re.
questing my views OF the Presidential election
in the existing circumstance.
| shall give them in the candor in which IN.
derstand the Inquiry to be made; and be ready to
share the responsibility Of our correspondence
upon this subject, should it become necessary
and give them more at length that, in the event
they may not be misunderstood.
An elector under the immediate creation and
authority OF State consider as BOUND TO vote
for The man preferred by the State or district that
made him an elector.
When the election devolves upon the House Of
Representatives, voting BY States, under the an
thory OF the 'people OF the United States. il il
manifest that the members are not bound by the
preference Of their respective States; for il they
were, the result Of the electoral votes could never
he varied, and the constitutional provision for 81
election by the House would be nugatory. In
the one case. the vote is given under power
delegated by State; in the other, under power
delegated by the Union: and the respect paid by
member 10 the preference OF his State, must
necessarily be subordinate to the paramount duty
he owes. in the case in question: 10 the whole
people OF the United States, under their federal
constitution.
In performing the high duty OF Immediately
electing President from the three highest can.
didaes on the POLL and thereby preventing dis.
organization OF the General Government, know
OF no general criterion FOR the vote OF a member,
hut the will OF ''the people Of he United States"
who empowered him to do he act and his own
opinion Of the qualification Of the respective can.
ddstes to perform all the duties Of President OF
the United States, in relation to both our foreign
and domestic concerns.
lfmy views upon the subject be correct, It fol-.
% lows, that the idea Of obligatory instructions
from State concerning an election Of President
by the House, is mistaken one; ard uncor.
nected with The duty imposed on a member by
The supreme law Of the land.
With regard 10 persons, can only say, that
my opinion OF Mr.. Adams superior qualifications
using the word in its most comprehensive sensel
l. for President Of the United States, has been
sincerely expressed, exposed 10 the public, and
adhered to III Missouri, and still remains IN.
changed.
E If called on for my reasons, might assign-
e l. That he is superior as lheotetic and prac.
: r,nlor q.
with our foreign, and equally so with oul domes-
q tic, relations and not inferior in talents acquire.
= ments, patriotism, and integrity, to any Of our
II public characters. ?.
2. That such President, from the northern
% States, at this time. would do more towards re.
lie moving those local preiudces and animosities
l. among the people OF the United States. which
10 sprang out Of sectional or personal contests for
ot political sscendancy, and in Perfectng union
le in fact, well on paper in this nation, than
President from the south or west could probably
j. do, at this stage Of our national progress,
ID 3. That believe he would promote, at least
as far as any other OF the candidates, those great
70 measures so essential to our national ndepend
ence and permanent welfare. and in which our
,v north western States (if our local considerations
n be in any degree adnssible) are and must be,
h from their geographical positions and natural con.
nectons, mainly Interested
u 4. And might no,o add, that am unwiln:
TO separate upon this subject from the States in
! our quarter Of the Union, with which we must
- always have community Of essenlial interests,
r unless paramount considerations Of national wei.
VI fare demand the separation.
al The great object OF the people is to have thoir
government, such as they have made it, faithful,
and ably administered and preserved, and then
y rights and honor with foreign nations, maintained
and promoted. They care less for men. local.
ss ties and party watch. words, than do the enthusi
81. astc politicians, and the ambitious aspirans.
rs Respectfully your obedieni.
8. DAVID BARTON.
n. Benton continued TO call on me anc
Id speak Of the Presidential election. II
o. those conversations. ! spoke of Genera
n Jackson with kindness, and did moi hesitate
of to say, that SO far as my personal feeling
d. were concerned, greatly preferred hin
e. 10 Mr.. Adams, but that my judgment wa
N, against him: that did not consider him q
'e, well qualified for the station OF Presden
he as Mr.. Adams. but that would siill max,
nd further inquiry. and reflections, before
nd finally came to conclusion. After one o
,e- these conversations he left me. but returned
To- to my room on the 9Th of February, 1925
Oh and said he hsd como 10 have final tot