It
shows the rudeness of the mechanism by which the Chief Executive
of this country is selected, and what apparently slight and
trivial matters frequently determine the choice. As is well
known, the framers of the Constitution, after considering
very seriously the question of entrusting the power of choosing
the President to the Senate, determined to commit that function
to electoral colleges, chosen in the several States in such
manner as their legislatures should determine, all the electors
to give their votes on the same day. It is generally stated
that the President and Vice-President cannot be from the same
State. That is not true. The Constitutional provision is
that electors in their respective States shall vote by ballot
for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall
not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves.
It was intended that the choice of the President should not
be a direct act of the people. It was to be committed to
the discretion of men selected for patriotism, wisdom and
sobriety, and removed as far as might be from all the excitements
of popular passion.
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