Western Sun & General Advertiser, Volume 17, Number 3, Vincennes, Knox County, 4 March 1826 — Page 1

WESTEJRN SUN & GENERAL ADVERTISER

BY ELIHU STOUT. VINCENNES, (IND.) SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1826. Vol. 17. No. 3.

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(IJtf AuiJiorifij.) LAW 55 ut tin: U. STATUS, PASSED AT THE FIHST SESSION OF THE NINETEEN I II rOSGRKsS. runi.ic no in 3 AN ACT foi alui nivr the time of holding the District court iu the Northern District of New-York. UK if enact ! b the S':afe and Iif,ue of R-preventatives f the Uii'rd S'nns -,'--jnrica,in Congress aitl'ul. That, fro.n and after the next term of the District court of the United St Ues fer the Northern 1)trict of New-York, the term dir. cte I by law to be held at A 1 iy on the 1 im. Fuesday in January, shall, instead the root", be he'd at Albany on the third Tuesday in January in each year thereafter. JOHN W. TAYLOR, Speaker of the ILuss ;f Representative. JOHN C. CALHOUN, rtcc-PrcsiJt ! f the United S'ate, and Pnsiden. of the Sena?'. PVROVl.D Fvbruarv 1, 18 Jo. JOHN QUISCY ADAMS. Trunr.ic no iv AN ACT to revive an i c lati.ne in fe.ree, :m act, entitled 4i An art lixin ; the conpens iti'vs of the Secretary of the S : ite and Clerk, of the House of Kcpresent itives, of lire Clerks employed iu tlieir oliiccs, and of the Librarian." UK it enacted !) the .'e.vjV am! tl.u of Re fin srntative t cfthe U i rd S'a'ex fJ Africa, in Congress asM n:'!, Tliat an ac,. passed the eighteenth of April, one thouan i eight hundred and eighteen, entitled " A x act T:Ki igt; e compensation r the ecrctar of the Senate and Ck rk of the llou-e of He preventatives, of the Clerk en-.pUucd ;. t!eir offices, and of the Librarian," he, an ! the same is herehy dc:l '.red. to he reived, and to continue in force for three years, ami until the termination of the session of Congress next ensuing. JOHN Y. PAYLOH, S': cater i f the !(: e ' f R f.r ., ntufives. JOHN C. CALHOUN, lice-Preside:? f the U:':- d States, and Pre id- nt the Senate. a r r hoved Fe'oi u irv 1, I J6. JOHN Ql'INCY ADAMS. runLic NO v. AN ACT to ann d " An act concerning wreckers and wrecked property," parsed hv the ( i'tvern r and Lee,i-lati e Council if t"ne l rrito; y ef Fhu-'uhi. HE r r :-t('d hu the Sera'e a::d II, use ef R:rcsemta'ie-s'f!he Uni'ed Xtad . ff.lir.erie'c, (V;v ,;.s. ?"b!cd, That the act ef the (ioverm r and Legilatie Conned ii taeTerr;tor f F! ii .a, entith d "An a;t ennceiniug wreck rs ee w recked prej er ,?' appriweu hy the (ui eraor on the fourth day of July, one th'us n I e:.e,ht h a ulred ec twenty-three, !k a ;d tin same is hereby, dis;ipp roved, and vie chin, d null and v'u. JOHN W. 'FA Y LOU, Speaker ' f the ll.u-e f A'. r:rcc. :a:n'e. JOHN C. C AL1IOCN, l'tcc-Pres:de::t f the U:.d Suites, ar.d Pi .;."'. !ic Senate ArruovKD Fe!ru erv 1, lsjn. JOHN QC1NCV ADAMS. CONCHi:SS in sf.katf., Jan. 19. lJMr. Henton, from the select committee, to which was referred the several resolotions proposing amendments to the v Constitution of the United States. (Continued from last tveek J In this vie xv of the subject, it becomes a question, which addresses iuelf to the mind and heart of every lover of his country, whether congress can be tafrly trusted with the choice of the chief magistrate of this great and growing republic, not as an event, which in a series of years may happen ; but which in the ordinary course of affairs must inevitably and frequently occur. The first objection, and

the one which cannot fail to suggest itself to every mind, is the incompatible nature of the duties which belong to a legislative assembly and to an electoral college. No principle ought, in the opinion of the committee, to be held mot e sacred, as none, certainly, is more plainly recognized in the whole structure of our govern

mcnt, than that which keeps the execu-

tive and legislative departments scpaiatc ; course, and tinging every leg'.slativc act and distinct. There seems, indeed, to be . witn parly viux-.s and feelings, is too ccrinfused into the different branches of our lain to admit of a doubt. We may, ingovernment, (doubtless for the wisest deed, tremble for the fate of the country, purposes) a jealous spirit, which, gene- ' when congress shall hz degraded into a rously cherished and properly diiectcd, mere electoral eolh.gr, and the high dumay be fruitful of the greatest benefits. , tics of the lcgislaut c shall b co: tided to That the legislature should elect the ex- ' the opposing lae tit ivs, know n!y as the ecutive, is an anomaly; it is altogether enemies or pjt tiz: ns el the . chninisi? ati-

inconsistent with the most cherished pi mciplcs of our system, & in practice, may be found equally fatal to the urity of nc branch of the government, and the independence of the other. The reference efthis question, v hich will ca I in o action the s -en-ics', ai d some of she wos pass uiisul out ;.ajfi,i c, to a f.re exist v.g b:dy of ns ndsd at the seat of govei i'U.e: i. and from th.eil character and siuia'ioti. bovio'nt into almot d.d'y contact wi'ii he candidate, on whom tin y can conh i the fust efi.ee in the tepnbiic, Sc who, in totn, con l;estow uoon them biiliiant lionors and ric h rewauls, must, from the veiy ratine of things, expose them to the vaiious influences, by which pouei k putron.ii;e lic, in c. cry age, seduced men Un.n the pa h of dutv, and tempted tiiun to bv-'tay 'he most saci ed trusty. . When wet, .he inio x iew ihcgicat and ino easing patronage of the executive, ami ot the- xaiiou's departments undei his conn ol, and pciceie how completely it is in his poei to cause tire inCuencc of iiis oinc e to he felt, we must shut our ics to the lights of w r--dom exp ii iu e, it we do n.u pe:rOe, tha t'e peri (a is not far distent, v. h: n the -iV'ce. ot piesid-.nt will be (onioned as the rewaitl of open intnue and the dr ep'xst co v!i!' !!. Hut i is no. ... v, a; --i .s . s i -.-p ana palpable ; t . . -H ", th.it ii iiecoines iu crj. ) t g -o i A :r)dv. o i !'..g ' -o.ll.d : Or . ! 'o i li'imn.; t! e ' ace . n i in . d no-, abb. b Ud.i .;e a 1 Hi of !e ! hy the i n. a o. t ? ". : v ,v' 1 . : e s in

i bom tn.i. con: se iv tue ti e -.sures w iiich pit-sen aues, aa an umpue, in the last ouv be '.'! v in ;!v ir .-y. v ill he in- re--n i. tK. tv.i-.. r; t!i;- p: sa'.ej.tiai rai- iii. tired to e vv, t.oni itiwir Ou.y !.u temp chiles. Yv t, a second choice by SMiie bdy

! o.;:;d s ; Ik mat r. jA csi.'.sti y, b h'Cw h , j po'.itici.ms so easily deceive thciiscU'cS, I ; x it: furnish an apology for a con'sel : c n duct, xv hich, in private lile, stieh men i ; wou'd scorn to pursue. Ail exp nience d nmnsti ates that ti c best secuiity ot xir j toe is found in avoiding all temp .'.tioiis , Hut even if the danger ot covrupuan in

the house ot reprcsentaUx es was less a- ' taiiual lor that jnup-e, iu iLtiai.ee of ail farming in its magnitude, and less certain the objeciion-i xvnieii lie against them I in its occmrence, the committee xvonid l)u the coniiaiy, tliey xvill he subject to still appr diend, that the preserva i u ot t the main objections which appi) ayinSt the chirac.tcr both of tire lei;islat.n e and i a pre-existing b u!y ; ihey xxiil be, muietiic executive, and secuh i; to rh nn that over, subject to u.e opeia'.ion ol ail the jd ice in the punlic conf: knee Sc esteem, undue intlucnces x hie li mi. j; tit be bs ouht witlmut xvnicii their strength wil, be but ; to bear upon the house of r pies, i.tauvts, w eakness, :o d their wisdom foliy, would j without possessing the same pie t nsiuns

i require that thev should be tar removed cen tro-n unjust suspicion. In a eountiyJ liU.tr onrs, e;o eined by public opinion, it j is of the lat importance, that those who tie appointed to make ardexvcute the , laws, and xvlio must aF.vays give tone to our national character, should conciliate the confidence of the peop'e, or at least . st nd befne them unimpeached : That a successful candidate, exalted to the chief magistracy bv the members of corgrcss, should feci a deep sense, (f gta'.i'udc tox ai ds th'W to xx horn, he is indebted for his elevation, i neither strange, nor the ! subject of just exception. In the distribution of the numerous ofiices within his gift, it would be impossible for him so to act othcrxvisc than to exclude altogether from the range of his choice, men, in'oi ther respects, well (pialifietl for the highest offices, or to subject himself, hoxrexer iinjus'Iy, to the imputation of being influ I enccd by personal and unworthy motives. ! Hut, if the election in the house of icprescntatives were liable to none of ihcse objections, still, the interruption it xvill give to the calm and regular prorress of ; legislation, would, itself, be an ex il of the most alarming nature. The mixing up , of party feeling, personal animosities, and local interests, xvith ordinary acts of legislation, would, unquestionably, be one of the greatest calamities to w hich the country could be exposed. Unless those who create the laws, like the judg s who expound them, arc free from prejudice and passion, it is impossible that they can )

fulfil their high duties with purity and wisdom. That the acrimonious feelings, and bitter animosities excited, in a contested election, in the house of represcn tatives, would not subside at its close, but would, for a long course of time, exert an F.tlucnce on the deliberations, and peril tps control the decisions, of the legisla

te c, by disturbing the tianquiiity of its on. lint ti.'o, ; mil ad. I ke people them?; ivs, in bin h a sleteof 'hi', g-, xid be tt 'ed to centiibutc to ei!, by suu-.i ; n to ri pi escort t ' n , n the eve e e ,y ji csiden'ial eh:c ion, i ot becaise of the depth of the'r hi ledge, the sooniilv. ss ot their principles, n their peculiar ii;i:is.s for legishi'ion, b it cn account ol their political opim.-ns, vi lelati on to the seeial candidates for t.ie p'esidttcv. i n alu r the electi Mas oxer, the eil spirit ol the lime might (.ontinur loojv rale, and to den. and the election rf CL.:u!ida;ts who xveuld be paiticu arly dexrtetltoti.e new aciniinistration. '1 hat the administration itsilf, should be ir.se nsib'e '.o the 3ueet:-s of tliese eaial'dati is not t( beexpecttit horn human na'ure. W ishes n,u: t be tormeil, and the UrJtVw-" lei'g , or ven susj icion ol ti.es uii.!fVs, uoiiiti bring an ardent and concent; a tern lorce to tiie sup oil of the piesumt d faxf. i ile; 'U ti.e otlier hand, ail the i lemen's ot pposition won d combine ag. :ifi-t hin. ; ineiit w:;U;d he out of ti e fjiics-Uoi! ; i he public go al no object ; a degrading test -mi d 11 )v ret de i.ii the i e t u u 1 1 t i k i 3 1 1 o n s ot wotth and taieiits ; a' a e ii the e'eetions oi the state othce rs might De h.i;t:g;.l vuliin the voite.d a s.'t-ic., ?o ta cs. o. : e intcicst of the c 'uruy, and so tu.i ot degia ulion to the s o t e t r; Hi i ne can - . in a govci nnent n: ofesedly lounded op ui the will ot the pe. pie, loat re.n, nen kuov't ii, should ahvay a oe enlKieu iu u:e .oust le.spectfui eonsuleraiioii. lt . , as tar as puhiic xvill can ue abcerlan.eu, 1 I . I--. I A u ts ciecuiemv oddoscu to me house ol iceena.arg plurulil), ean..ol be e;ui.ed upon, in our subsequent election. i o xvhoni, th::i. s'nali ii be sent back? Who shall make the second election ? W'c have seen that tie l;ouse of representatives is an until place, aril that the people aic against it Will the presetit insinir.iun of electors do better ; and sliail lluy be rei to hit;ti character and public confluence. Then thMe b no betler course, Ibao to ,.. ,t lack to the if" .7r, w i! h the Mi aiC limitation, ot confining their che-iec to the leading candidates. Clear as the propriety of litis course is to the mind ot the committee, it iu not free fioni objections in the minds oi others. . The first Sc mcst plausible ot these objections, grow s out oi a concern for the rights rd the small state s, a matei ial poi -lion of whoc power, it is appiehendcd, will be lost by takii g fiom them their contingent taculty of e'ecing the president, by states, in fhe house of rept escijtatives. l$i lore this objection can be admitted, it c tight to be shexvn that this privilege is actually possessed by the small I states, under the present system. The committee believe that it is not ; for they cannot admit that a privilege, personal to a member of congress, can be tieated as the privilege of the state which he represents. Now, it is notorious, that a large portion, if not a majority, of the repi cscntatives xvho have heretofore been called upon to vote far president in the bouse of representatives, have given that vote according to the dictates of their own feelings Sc judgment. In this course they have held themselves justified on the ground, that, in giving their votes, thev acted in the character of electors under the constitution, and not in their rcpresentatixe capaciy. It is also certain, that, as no means are provided for a distinct expression of the "will of the state

upon the subject, (as between the candidates who may finally be bt ought into competition,) it is manifest ihai ihc representative may not know, or knowing, may feign ignorance of the op'n ion ot the state which lie rt presents, ten if he acknowledges an ob igation to confoim to it, when known. In many cases tic certainly wilt be ignorant of it ; in most, ho must be w ithout instructions ; and, in all, he may dis'cgard them. If, I hen, the privilege of otii g for presidt nt, in the house of repusentatives, is claimed and exctcised by the member, as an elector under the constitution, and not as a uprescntaixe tiom his state; if the mtnbcr, and not the state, cxeicist s xli;ion upon this point ; if he der.it s the right of the state to direct his vote, or admits the tight, anil axoids the obligation ; and, if the state has neither time nor means 10 manifest her xxiil, or power to cnlotce it, or the light of vacaiing ti e ntc ahcr it i given ; then, ttus basi d privih ge may 1 ii y be set down ;s b iengii g, praaii ali) , to the memhei , and not to e siate tiooi which he comes 'I hi question which then pt esints its. If. is tie oi o ntl ic ting claims to power, between r. individual, on one side, and tie sUF. which he lepresents, on the otbe ; bitw cn a member of congitss. in his ca'. a d the foiiy thousand pe'sens whoph ced him thcie. Holding this in l- lico. j question presented by li e ohj r th.n under coiiaich i a i ii, the con o itter ft f t . dif. ficu; y in assigning il v pni ei" to the paily w tiith bou; its fir pvl i ' is farthest n iiidMc! h it in duf ii.flm pc by its nun b is, is most r,;fl'' n't to :,. roriiiptcd; w i-ich, ind". ub:a . h . s ucti, ai d. ig4 eg...( -y, j. fi: oe y n.r : ii iiest : the xv I tai o! thtn e. untiy; if w t oo h.ck ( t ii bun a ion. it any. is n v mpensated by the- disir ti i es:edness o : F c i r najiives; and. in this irat-fer of i f. er itom the ii en 1 i .j ( t gU u rt x ah. lugton, to 'lie I oic bodv of : heit . i vj. tucnts at home, it is the opinion of U q commiitee that hc state would bra gainer, instf ad of a loser. Still, f l is contingent xote lor pic-ident, in the house of t epiesi r. tatives, is the cheiisl ed fin of a iv . i Mi' btance an i ng ti e sn a!' i slates, and a'': ongb now reduced to nothing but ze.i uic a, t hi y n cy be unw illirig io give it up, without reccix ing the bcrt fit of seme concession Ik ih ti e laiger nes Here, then, is room for a comptondve ; ti e dt or opens 1 r one of those irrttta K advantageous : instm.ents, by he p c f ul ich the i (n.s'.itu: :,.ii was m.-de, and witlxu1 which it canmit he afvenotd. T 1, l uge stales o ci xv helm the to. ail ore. xit!i il.c- ronsoiidattd xo c of the gerc-rd t:rVci; the small (.nes balance tl e rn a' cm g wih the single lepresentatixe mi tie house of representa'ix e s Now, it 1 r be en shewn iha1 ti.is appatent ( . r 't the gnat states to loiiH Inhoe t ei xf'c.is in realit) , the u -un t d p.xxi r u rec irdividuals ol the I'.ite gislatui . s ; vrt Uithe small states, ns t ITect is ju-t tl"- stmc as il the r-al soeuien!x of thr ct:t( hecj directed jts loict aeairst rn H has also been sI'O'ui tl :.,t thi support ii power ot ihe-uijl s;ri s 'o ba'nr rc the great ones in the la nv ni ,( p, r.f nta?j v s, 9 in tact, the powt r ,. r r, . n j)C, s n ( rnp g'CSs from sin h s':.n s Yet. tf. t' e latge ones, the tfict i jus tt c san e if it xv ,.s the pox.-ci of the s ' H ie, 'hen, is a giievnce m a h side ; nr.d, to get lid of it, and iceiivr, in return, a great, substantial. ;tmi a;(hntly desired conccs-si.-n '.)to the other, the laige state have r.othing io do hut to l'ixc op aw -abuse, Sc tl e small cnes to sm render an idea. The only direct r bj ctions to the secotd tlcctim by il t People, (-opposing the first to have been adopted,) which have come to the knowledge of the Committee, are few in number and easy of ansxver. The apprehension of violence in such renewed and protracted contest, is expicsscd by some. Hut it the Committee have been successful in showing that nothing of this kind is to be dieaded in the first election, the only proper it quiry now is, whether the second can produce that ctTcct which tic first could not. The Committee afiirm the negative of this ptoposition, and appeal to that well known law in physiology which makes apathy succeed to violence the mcment the ciisis of excitement has pa'Sfdauay; ard to the fact, that the number of candidates being reduced in the s ennd contest, the peculiar causes of exci'en nt, alising from personal arquair.'ar r e Sc local interests, will also be rtcb:t d in exact proportion to this reducticn in the number of candidates. Instead of violence, indifference ard neglect of the elective franchise h iill more to be dread