Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-06-18
THE ENQUIRER.
RICH MOND, VA.
Thursday Morning, June II, ls47.
Mr.. BENTONS SPEECH.

| ~ ~ LoSAA.
We hope in few days. lo,Gud room for The
most important portions Of Mr.. Benons late
speech in The capl,allof Missouri. His views
upon the great measures which have become a
par, OF the history OF the country, will be read
with interest While we approve of some of his
positions and elaborate deductions, we dissent
from many Of his views. And here we frankly
respond 10 the Wings inierrosalory, that we by
no means favor The views Of Mr.. Benton on the
subject OF national internal improvements, nor
do we believe that they accord with The senli-
ments Of MIR. Polk. A, the same time, We con-
cede The correctness Of The Whiss deduction, that
the doctrines we have heretofore and still warm
y advocate (and which ii is unnecessary here 10
repea,,) do not at all tally with the views Of Mr.
Calhoun and the Memphis Convention. Indeed,
there are peculiar notions entertained by both these
distinguished and able statesmen, which do not
at all suit our long-cherished opinions. Neither
of Them, in our judgment, comes up TO what we
have been accustomed 10 regard as The standard
OF the Virginia school of strict construction
With these remarks and with the promise TO
re.publish The most striking passages OF Col BIS
lale speech, We content ourselves for The present
with the following extract, suggesting a plan,
which we agree with the Wing, "strikes us as
being not unworthy of consideration, in regard 10
change in the mode Of clecling the President
and Vice President, so as 10 avoid what even he
confesses is an evil, nominating Conventions on
the one hand, and an election By the House Of Re-
~ 0tt,ar 81. ~
present, however, We infinitely prefer a nominate
ing Convention, made up Of delegates from The
people, 10 the almost certain necessity, Otherwise,
Of an election BY The House oil Representatives,
with its accompanying combinations and in
trigues Such a Diet we would avoid by all
means, il possible:
"E1e had long since made known his opinion
direct vote OF the people, and no Intervention Of
intermediate bodies to nominate before hand, or
10 decide aliernaiiveiy afterwards, was his plan.
A vote by districts, and second election between
the TWO highest j! the frs, failed, was the
plain and obvious remedy. A second election be-
tween the two highest would dispense beth wlha
nominating convention, and a contingent resort TO
The House OF Representatives. No matter how
many were candidates in the first election: il any
one obtained majority OF the whole, then The
ELECTIVE pIiHclple WdS SdllSIeu-ine majority 10
goyern-and The election was finished: il no one
obtained such majority then the first election 10
be held as nomination Of the Two highest by the
people, and the election to be Immediately held
over again between those two. This would bring
the election 10 speedy conclusion, and without
resort TO Intermediate bodies-a national conven-
ton, or House OF Representa,ives-eachd daily
becoming less acceptable 10 The people. He wish
ell the necessary reforms 10 be made in time the
constitution 10 be constilntionallyfamende upon
toresigh, and reason, before some violent shock
should do mischief TO The instrument ITSELF to the
House of Representatives, or 10 the nominating
Convention. 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 detective until
ready TO enter another. The TWO Intermediate
bodies which stand between the people and The
objec, Of their choice-thc nominating Ccnven-
ton, and the House of Represen!ativcs-mus,
stand as they are, though a, the great risk OF rus
trailing the popular choice. and bringing on
crisis-unlil the hard lesson OF experience sha,
induce the people TO supercede them by safer and
better Institutions"