The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-07-17
The Presidency-Slave Question.

THESE were among the most Impor-
tant subjects which Col. Benton touch
ed upon in his late speech at Jefferson
City. We give below that portion OF
his remarks which relates to them. It
appeares to US that the truly democrat
&c plan of electing a President, would
be by a vote Of the whole people, With
out the Intervention ofeither delegates
or districts. But If this cannot yet he
obtained entirely, Mr.. Benton's plan
would be a great step towards it.
Ohio Press.
"Other questions, and Of vital int.
rest, demand our attention. The mode
of electing a President or selecting a
Presidential candidate, is beginning to
attract the attention Of thinking men.
He could speak freely on the SUBJECT,
for he had so disconnected his name
from it, as 20 enable him to take his
place in the disiaterested ranks OF the
voters. He had long since made known
his opinion-a direct vote OF the peo-
Pile, and no Intervention Of intermedi-
ate bodies TO nominate beforehand, or
to decide aIternatively afterwards
was his plan. A vote by districts, and
a second election between the two
highest, would dispense both with a
nominating convention, and a contn-
gent resort to the House Of Represen-
t~atives. No matter how many were
candidates in the first e%lection-ii any
one obtained a majority Of the whole,
then the elective principle was satisf-
ed-the majority to govern-and the
election was finished. If no one OBJ
tanned such a minority, then the first
election to be held q nomination of the
two highest by the people, and the e.
lection to be Immediately held over a.
gain between those two. This would
bring the election 10 a speedy conclu-
sion, and without a resort to interme-
date bodies--a national convention, or
a House of Representatives--each dali
ly becoming less acceptable to the peo-
pie. He wished the necessary reforms.
to be made in time--the constitution TO.
be constitutionly amended, upon fore-
sight and reason, before some violent
shock should do some mischief to the
instrument itself, to the House OF Rep
resentatives, or 10 the nominating con-
vention. But he was no architect OF
ruin: he did not pull down until he was
ready to build up: he did not quit one
shelter, though defective, until ready TO
enter another. The two intermediate
bodies which stand between the people
and the object other choice-the nom
mating convention, and the House OF
Representatives --must stand rs they
are, though at the great risk Of frustra-
ting the popular choice, and bringing
on a CRISIS until the hard lesson ofex-
p~erience shall induce the people to SUI
perscde them by safer and better instr
tuticns.
GA new slavery question has sprung
up; gone which discarding the fairgrounds
OF defence & compromise goes Tor pro-
paeandism, in its most unqualified form
and 10 the most remote and northern
Territories Of the Union. il is a test
which our northern friends oil the cit,
izens Of the north who are willing to
let these things remain as they are-r
cannot stand. Those citizens have
done well. They have greatly quoted
and so tened down the abolition sgita-
tion. They have helped US through
the Texas annexation, although thai
question was pushed at them BY the
Tyler cabinet In a way 10 revolt them
purely and simply as q slavery extern
sion question, 10 give the slave states