Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-02-07

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consolation in rejecting that If others have
since changed, you now stand where you
then did, in the purer and better days oil
1.-The party. | was in favor of then, as am
now, not because consider the resolutions
as perfect, theoretically, as the existing
provisions Of The Constitution, but because
I believe it would in practice more GER
tainly accomplish what the trainers ofthe
Constitution intended. But while the pro-
vision stands as it does, 1 would regard
myself as little short of traitor to that sa-
cred instrument. should give my assent
directly or indirectly, 10 any practice
which would have the effect of dives'ing
thesmaller States ofihe due weight which
it secures TO them in The Presidential elec-
tion, whether designed or not. And here
let me add, that as objectionable as think
Congressional caucus for nominating a
President, it is in my opinion, far less so,
than a Convention constituted as is pro-
posed. The former had indeed many
things to recommend il. Its members
consisting of Senators and Representatives,
were the immediate organs of the State
Legislatures, or the people; were respon
sible TO Them, respectively, and werc for
the most part, of high character, stand
ing and talents. They voted per capita,
and what is very important, they repre-
sented fairly the relative strength Of the
party in their respective States. In all
these important particulars, it was all that
could be desired for nominating body,
and formed a striking contrast TO the pro-
posed Convention; and yet, it could not
be borne by the people in the then purer
days of,he Republic. acting with Gen.
Jackson and most Of the leaders of the
parry al the time, contributed to put il
down, because we believed it to be liable
to be acted on and influenced by the pat,
ronaee of the Government--an objection
far more applicable to Convention con-
s,iIuted as the one proposed, than a Con-
gressional caucus. Far however was it
then from my intention, in aiding 10 put
that down, TO substitute in its place what
regard as an hundred times more objec-
lionable in every point of view. Indeed,
ifthere must be an Intermediate body be-
tween the people and the election, un-
known 10 The Constitution, il may be we'll
questioned whether better than The OLD
plan Of Congressional caucus can be de-
vised.
ntaking the ground have, in favor of
maintaining the right secured the smaller
States by the compromise OF tho Consti-
tuition, am actuated by no partisan feel
ing or desire to coueliate their good opin-
ion. If The case wss reversed, and the
rights of the larger instead of the smaller,
were invaded, I would vita equal readi-
ness and frmness, stapd up in their de-
fence. ! am the partisan ofnefther one,
nor the other. but simply supporter of
the Constitution, and what / believe to be
us, and fair. Iregard the Constitution, +,
as the only ark Of safety for all, and be-
lieve thai in defending it, defend the in-
lerest and safety Of each and all; the grea-
ter as we'll as The smaller-the States in
vading /! right of the others,as the States
whose right are invaded.
have laid down the principle, on which
I resi- the objection in question, with the
limitation, that the relative weight Of The
States should be maintained, making due
allowance for their relative party strength.
The propriety of The Limitation is so APP
parent, that a few words. in illustration,
will be required. The Convention is a
party Convention, and professedly inIen-
ded 10 take the sense of the party, which
cannot be done fairly, if States having but
little party strength, are put on an equal
i,y with those which have much. If that
were done. The result might be, that a
small portion of the party from States the
least sound, politically, and which could
civ. but lilIle support 10 Congress, might
select the candidate, and make the Presi-
dent, against great majority Of the sound
est, and on which the President and his
administration would have to rely for sup.
port. All this is clearly too uo(air aud
improper 10 be denied. There Eay be a
great difficulty in applying a remedy in a
! Convention, but do not feel myself called
upon 10 say how it can be done, or by
what standard the relative party strength
of The respective States should be deter
mined perhaps The best would be their
relative strength in Congress at the time.
In laying down the principle, added The
limitation for the sake of accuracy, and to
show how imperfectly the party must be
represented when it is overlooked. / see
no provision in the proposed Convention
TO meet il.
| But, in order 10 realize how The Conven.
lion will operate. ii will be necessary 10
view the combined effects of the objec-
lions which l have. Thus viewed, it will
be found, that Convention so consti,u'
ted, tends irresislibly 10 centralizalion-
Capitalization OF The coutrol over The Pres
idenlial election in the hands OF he few o
the central, large States, al first, ond final.
ly. in political managers, Office holders nnd
Office seekers or to express it differently
in that portion of the community, who
live. or expect to live on the Government
in coutradistinclion 10 the great mass, who
expect to live on their own means, or thel'