Page:Essays on the Constitution of the United States, published during its discussion by the people 1787-1788.djvu/239

 (Number 44)

You do not hate to read Newspaper Essays on the new constitution, more than I hate to write them. Then tue will be short - - - which I have often found the best expression in a dull sermon, except the last.

Whether the mode of election pointed out in the proposed constitution is well calculated to support the principles which were designed to be established in the different branches of the legislature, may perhaps be justly doubted: — and may perhaps in some future day be discussed.

The design undoubtedly was, that the house of representatives should be popular assembly, — that the senate should, in its nature, be somewhat more permanent, and that the two houses should be completely independent of each other. These principles are right.—for the present we will suppose they will be supported — there then remains to be considered no considerable difference between the constitutional government which is proposed, and your present government, except that the time for which you choose our present rulers is only for six and twelve months, and the time for which you are to choose your continental rulers is for two, four and six years.

The convention were mistaken if they supposed they should lessen the evils of tumultuous elections by making elections less frequent. But are your liberties endangered by this measure? (227)