Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)United States. Congress
History
Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856, Vol. 3 (of 16)
United States. Congress
Law -- United States; United States -- Politics and government
He hoped this amendment would not be hastily adopted. The subsisting mode
was the result of much deliberation and solemn compromise, after having
long agitated the convention. It is now attacked by party, whatever
gentlemen may say to the contrary; the gentleman from South Carolina has
confessed it. If gentlemen will suffer themselves to look forward without
passion, great good may come from the present mode; men of each of the
parties may hold the two principal offices of the Government; they will
be checks upon each other; our Government is composed of checks; and let
us preserve it from party spirit, which has been tyrannical in all ages.
These checks take off the fiery edge of persecution. Would not one of a
different party placed in that chair tend to check and preserve in temper
the overheated zeal of party? he would conduct himself with firmness
because of the minor party; he would take care that the majority should
have justice, but he would also guard the minority from oppression. If
we cannot destroy party we ought to place every check upon it. If the
present amendment pass, nine out of ten times the election will go to
the other House, and then the only difference will be that you had a
comedy the last time, and you’ll have a tragedy the next. Though it
was impossible to prevent party altogether, much more when population
and luxury increase, and corruption and vice with them, it was prudent
to preserve as many checks against it as was practicable. He had been
long in Congress and saw the conflicting interests of large and small
States operate; the time may not be remote when party will adopt new
designations; federal and republican parties have had their day, their
designations will not last long, and the ground of difference between
parties will not be the same that it has been; new names and new views
will be taken; it has been the course in all nations. There has not yet
been a rotation of offices in which the small States could look for their
share, but the time may, it will come when the small will wrestle with
the large States for their rights. Each State has felt that though its
limits were not so extensive as others, its rights were not disregarded.
Suffer this confidence to be done away, and you may bid adieu to it;
three or four large States will take upon them in rotation to nominate
the Executive, and the second officer also. This will be felt. A fanciful
difference in politics is the bugbear of party now, because no other, no
real cause of difference has subsisted. But remedy will create a real
disease. States like individuals may say we will be of no party, and
whenever this shall happen blood will follow.
Mr. BRADLEY moved an adjournment. The motion was agreed to.
THURSDAY, November 24.
_Amendment to the Constitution._
The consideration of the report on the amendment to the constitution
being taken up, the amendment as directed to be printed on the preceding
day, was taken up, and read, as follows:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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