The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1877-05-15
HnE COssTITUTI0N.
Senator Morteu's View es lts Osi.
GIN md Its Electoral College.

The North American Review for May.
The American Constitution was the
production OF the most intelligent
minds Of our country at the period Of
its formation. 1t was not in any sense
the result OF inventive genius; for its
main features had been suggested by
the experience of the thirteen Colonies
both during and before the confedera-
ton. When We compare it with the
British Constitution, with the Articles
OF Confederation. and with the differ
ent colonial governments, We shall DO
surprised TO ind how little there is in
il that was new. The particulars in
which the government had been sug-
gested by the very brief Experience Of
few years under the latter govern
ment
The trainers Of tho Constitution were
very conservative Democrats, il Demo
Gratis they might be called. While pro.
fessing theoretically 10 believe in the
natural rights of men, and in a govern.
ment by the people, they entertained o
profound distrust OF the capacity Of
the people to govern themselves; and
consented TO bring the new government
directly to the people only in one de-
partment.--the election OF members OF
the House Of Representatives. By
recognizing the necessity OF an elective
executive, and putting away with aver
sion the idea Of a monarchy. they yet
sought to place the executive as far
from the people as possible. They ac-
cordingly devised the scheme Of the
electoral college, the members Of which
were to be chosen in q manner pre-
scIibed by the Legislatures OF the sew
raj College was that il would be COM
posed OF body Of select men chosen
on account OF their wisdom and high
character. who should be entirely un-
committed and untrsmmeled in their
action, and meet, deliberate. and vote
with further independence. And, to
secure their independence, it was pro-
vided that they should vote by ballot,
so that one should not know how the
others voted. Not only were they not
expected TO be pledged in advance 10
vote for particular candidate, but the
precise theory Of their creation was,
that they should be so pledged, but re-
main perfectly free and uncommitted,
To do what their sound judgment die
tated, when they came together to
choose q President. The Con-
stitution further provided that in case
no person recei sed a majority OF all the
electors appointed, the House OF Rep
resentatiyes should proceed TO elect,
voting by States;-each State having
one vote, without regard to popula-
tioD, or To the number of Representa-
tives in the House. New York, having
population forty-six times greater
than Nevada, would have but one vote
Nevada having one.
Another fact which the enemies Of
republican government in Europe have
been slow to recognize, IL the eonserv-
atism OF the masses OF the American
people. The enemies Of republieanism
have through centuries opposed it mp
on the ground that the people are gov.
erned by passion and impulse. variable
in their notions. pulling down to-mor-
row what they built mp to-day. and in
capable Of q steady purpose or policy.
The experience OF hundred years with
the American people has demonstrated
the fact that the great mass are oppos-
ed to change, ARE steady, conserve
tive, and consistent in their views, and
will not consent TO any alteration in
the fundamental plsn Of government.
except upon the clearest convictions,
established by long experience. OF the
necessity for a change.
The late election for President show
ell not only that the great purpose for
which the electoral college was origi-
nally created had utterly failed, bat
that il is artificial, complex, liable TO
arrangement and accident, and gives
rise 70 O number OF questions which
may decide the result OF an election,
and yet have no connection with the
merits OF the controversy.
Experience, as well as rec
son, now suggests that the rubbish Of
the electoral college be brushed away
entirely. and tho people allowed 70
vote directly for the man of their
choice for President and Vice Prssi-
dent. Now the pcople cannot vote for
him. All this requires that there shan
be political conventions or caucuses,
which shall place in nomination the
persons 10 be voted for a. electors, 20
that all the people Of the same way Of
thinking may vote for the same csndt.
dates for electors.
SENATOR OLIVER p. MoKrur.