46 MARYLAND.

an admitted fact, that the large states refuse to
change the constitution to the form proposed by
Maryland. The prospect of such a change must
be far removed.

The method of choosing electors by a gene-
ral ticket is perhaps more consistent with re-
publican principles, then by legislative choice
The district system, if uniformly adopted,
would certainly be preferable to either—But
only five states out of the twenty four elect
electors by districts.

The state might evince sufficient regard to
the principle for which she has cotended, by
making a change, and making the continuation
of that change contingent upon the change of
policy in her sister states. It is folly and weak-
ness to suffer on in a cause so disastrous and at
the same time so desperate.

It is the more requisite for the state to be care-
ful of its federate weight and influence, because
of the rapid diminution of that weight, in the
necessary course of circumstances. At the for-
mation of the constitution of the United States,
there having been no census before that period,
the apportionment of Representatives in the
first congress which met under its provisions,
was regulated by computation. The total num-
ber of Congressmen was fixed at sixty two, of
which Virginia had ten; Massachusetts and
Pennsylvania, eight each; New York and Ma-
lyland, six each, Connecticut, North and South
Carolina, five each; New Jersey four; Georgia