The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-08-07

ohcisu iloih anotneT source, on accoun
OF its iaboriousness, or its small pecu
mary compensation. Neither shall W,
stop to account for this principle in hu
I man nature, for in political philosophy
we must take mar as he really is, no
as we suppose he might be, or ough
to be. But we shall proceed to con
siderations not more real or more oper
alive, but more obvious, perhaps, tc
general apprehension.
1t has passed into a maxim in politi
cal philosophy that small bodies are
more assailable than larger ones. This
is exemplilied in the election Of Judge
of the Supreme Court. Unaedged,
immature youth, or halflearning, or su.
perficial attainments, or shallow pre-
tensions, or tinsel accomplishments,
may be offered to a small body of par.
tizans, with tolerable hopes of success,
but with what face could such qualif-
cations be offered to the great body of
electors of Ohioi Would not the par
tics, whether wing or democratic, be
compelled, under pain Of modification
and defeat, 10 offer their very best
qualifications TO the acceptance of the
People? Would not mature and vigor-
Gus Judgment, and sound learning, and
commanding talents, all be offered for
the sufrages of a great People' Few
men will be bold enough to answer
these questions in the negative. In
these views the subscriber is borne out
by some OF the best men that ever lived
on this continent. In the Federal Con.
vention which framed our present glo-
rious National Constitution, different
opinions were entertained as to the
mode Of electiag a President. Some
proposed to provide for the election of
that high functionary by the two Houses
of Congress, some by one or the other
branch Of that body, some by the Gov
errors and some by the Legislatures of
the States, and finally some by the Sow
People. This last named mode
was assailed by the utmost asperity of
vituperation. 1t was alleged hat the
would elect low, ignorant pre-
tenders, eminent for nothing but their
at demagogueism. But such
men as James Madison, Governor
and others the best and the
in tina: venerable body, took
other views Of the matter. They con-
ended that he ought to be elected by
he People at large. 'lf the People 4,
hould elect, they will never fail to pre- .
some man of distinguished charac- 9
err; some man of continental reputa-
ion. II the Legislature elect, it will be
he work Of intrigue, of cabal, and Of =!
action; it will be like the election Of a i,
Pope by a conclave Of Cardinals; real :
merit will rarely be the title to the ap- i
oointment Madison's Debates of the I
Convention, page 1922. Gap
continents made by numerous bodies {
ire al always worse than those made bv |
Jingle responsible individuals or by the S
PEOPLE at large."--Same work, p. 1924. t
These men prevailed, and the latest :,
'osterity will rejoice in their victory. $
Had they been defeated, unborn gene \
atoms would have had cause to mourn. a
friends Of reform and the advo. Il
ates Of existing abuses in Ohio, are i
.ow divided on a similar question: h
citizens come TO the rescue and I
US your mighty, your efficient aid. u
our latest posterIty viii! bless you Tor n :
Use institutions. But on the contra. II
y, if you suffer yourselves TO be de- r.
sived by the enemies of human plo- pr
your posterity may groan under S
n accumulation of miseries without U
sactly knowing the authors of their :,
llamities. Too much zeal cannot be n
1t on this subject, for if advancement, ca
I'd improvement arc laws of human sh
ature, instituted by HEAVEN, we must
I'VE a Convention to amend u Con-.
Respectfully, &C., an
EDWARD ARCHBOLD.