New Hampshire Statesman

ANOTHER SCHOOLMASTER.
For the N. H. Statesman.
CONGRESSIONAL EXAMINER...No. I.

Mr. Johnson of Kentucky, has brought forward a bill in the Senate of the U. S. which transfer, the election of President of the United States, from the Electors directly to the people, but does not deprive Congress of the power of electing the Pres. and Vice Pres. in case no choice is made by the people. As no speech in explanation, has yet appeared we are at a loss even to guess what is to be gained by the proposed amendment.

Now it is not a little remarkable that the part of the constitution (which is now the most roughly handled by those statesmen who are accustomed to think an amendment an easy, cheap and infallible remedy for all disorders) was almost the only part of the system which escaped without censure or which received the slightest mark of disapprobation from its opponents.

The mode of appointment of the chief magistrate was affirmed by the friends of the constitution to be most excellent and admitted. (by those who dreaded the power of that office) to be pretty well guarded. "It was desirable that the sense of the people should operate in the choice of the person to whom so important a trust was to be confided; this end will be answered by committing the right of making it, not to any pre-established body, but to men chosen by the people for the special purpose, and at the particular conjuncture. It was equally desirable that the immediate election should be made by men most capable of analyzing the qualities adapted to the station; and acting under circumstances favourable to deliberation, and to judicious combination of all the reasons and inducements that were proper to govern their choice. A small number of persons, selected by their fellow citizens from the general mass, will be most likely to possess the information and discernment requisite to so complicated an investigation.

It was also peculiarly desirable to afford as little opportunity as possible to tumult and disorder. This evil was not least to be dreaded in the election of a magistrate, who was to have so important an agency in the administration of the government, as the President of the United States. But the precautions which have been so happily concerted in the system under consideration, promise an effectual security against this mischief. The choice of several, to form an intermediate body of electors, will be much less apt to convulse the community with any extraordinary or violent movements, than the choice of one who was himself to be the final object of the public wishes, and as the electors, chosen in each state are to assemble and vote in the state, in which they are chosen: this detached and divided situation will expose them much less to heats and ferment, which might be communicated from them to the people, than if they were all to be convened at one time in one place."

Federalist No. LXVIII.

A resolution has been brought forward by Mr. Hayne of S. C.) in the Senate, and by Mr. McDuffie in the House to alter and amend the constitution so that in no event whatsoever shall the election of President or Vice President of the United States devolve upon the House of Representatives.

The constitution of the United States was the result of compromise; and we protest in the name of the small states against these amendments in part. If so important a part of the constitution as that which respects the mode of appointment of the chief executive, is to be amended, let it not be done during the excitement preceding the election.—When it is proposed to amend that part of the constitution which gives to the small states equal power with the large in the election of President: let that part which gives to Virginia &c. more elective power, because they hold slaves, be taken up and considered and "stricken out."

A. B.