The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-12-15
FUTURE PRESIDENTIAL ELEC-

We have heretofore in these columns
spoken of the need there is for better
system Of regulating the election of the
President and Vice President of the
United States. Recent events connected
with our present Presidential election
have lent emphasis to the suggestions
heretofore expressed, That there is in
trinity in the Constitutional provisions
on this subject all men now admit. The
demonstration Of this fact has been too
vivid and startling before the mind OF
the nation to permit any lingering OF
doubt that the safety Of the common
wealth demands a prompt revision OF
the Constitution in the matter of our
future Presidential elections.
To say that the Constitution is not
perfect is to say nothing in derogation
Of the wisdom Of its trainers. They
themselves admitted this. Though not
q member OF the Convention that framed
this instrument, Mr.. Jefferson was new
ertheless an ardent adrnlrer of the Con
stitution, pronouncing it the best form
OfGovernment ever given to mankind /;
and yet even he, writing to the Count
Del Vermi, says this OF it, A'9ou must
have observed when in America that
time and trial had discovered defects in
our federal constitution. A new essay,
made in the midst Of the flames of war +,
could not be perfect"
III no other particular, perhaps, could
an infirmity in the Constitution be more
productive of mischiefs and prolific OF
evils than in regard to this matter OF
Presidential elections. 1t is in this very
matter that public feeling, popular pas
sion, and party excitement would be
most aroused, and a serious disturb
ance of the public peace most likely 10
occur. On all other topics appertaining
to Constitutional law and mandates,
the country could always take eoWnS Ell
together without undue excitement or
popular feeling. Hence the necessity
OF providing clearly and definitely for
ell conceivable contingencies touching
lhe form and manner OF conducting this
grave and responsible duty. Although
the distinguished statesman from whose
writings we have just above quoted eX-
pressed himself rather favorable to oc-
casional Instructions, yet we presume
that Mr.. Jefferson himself, II now living
.amongst US, would not covet the repeti-
tion7 OF the experience in that regard
possessed by the present generation.
That we may not be charged with any
misrepresentation OF Mr.. Jefferson's
views in this regard, we will quote his
own words in a letter written by him to
Colonel Smith, from Paris, under date
OF New. 13, 1881, wherein, speaking of the
then Eecent instruction in Massachu.
setts, he said: "God forbid that we
should ever be twenty years without
such rebellion" and adds, "We have
had thirteen States Independent for
eleven years. There has been one rebel
lion. That amounts TO one rebellion in a
century and a half for each State.
What country can preserve its
liberties, if it's rulers are not warned
from time to time that this people pre-
serve the spirit of reSistance? Let them
take up arms. What signify few
lives lost in a century or two? The tree
of liberty must be refreshed, from time to
time, with the blood of patriots and ty-
ysnts. 1t 10 ite natural manure"
Now, with all conceivable respect for