Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-09-30

lregret this difference but asst would be arro-
f! suit an us 90 request from others. 4 surrender
at their opisiois, we trust that W. shall not be
condemned Cor adhering ~ our own. We krosv
that our motives sre pure, and we conscienti-
Dusty believe thatth course which we pursue,
leads more directly 20 the promoti IN ofthe best
Interest OF the United States, than that recon-
mended by the caucuses ut Washington. and
the Bell Tavern in this CITY You can at least
hear our reasons and then Judge for yourselves
We Thought last winter that the recommen-
dation ofthe caucus at Washington, did not af
tord an unequivocal proof of the real sentiments
OF the nation. Time has evinced the accuracy
OF thus Notwithstanding the number
OF Congressional votes from Massachusetts and
tue other Eastern states given in the caucus to
MI. Madison, 1T IS now apparent to the world
that he is not the object of their choice.
i. we also thought that the members of
| congress were constitutonally excluded from
| the right of electoral suffrage, they were the
last persons who ought TO prescribe or recon-
mend to the people the way in which their suf-
fraSes should be bestowed. The cons 'derati-
ons OK policy which induced the trainers of the
constitution to establish this exclusion, ought
to have induced our representatives in Con-
gress to be silent The necessity of the case,
! by which they justified their meeting, is an un-
warrantable and arbitrary supposition. The
\ NCrtFSu from Jne constitution tnSre
! tore stands infui force. Members of Congress
are excluded because their duty places them
within the reach of undue influence and cleo
pioneering intrigues.
1t seems TO be fair Inference therefore that
the same reason which would .nvalidate an e.
iectoral vote given by member of Congress,
should diminish the weight OF his electoral re-
commentator
Notwithstanding the force of this constitu-
L.. = I Al.
Madison has derived a great advantage from
tins congressional recommendation. II has err
| roneousiy been regarded as conclusive evidence
o. the national sentiment, and many have de-
clared their intention to vote for him, because
they supposed that he would be supported b.
majority; although but for that consideration
they would have preferred Mr.. Monroe as the
successor OF Mr.. Jefferson.
| To this mode of reasonnrr we can never as
sent. IL is the duty of the minority to acqui-
esce IN the will ofthe majority but they should
wait until mat is constitutionally and formally
expressed Until this ~ done, who can say in
this extensive country, What the will ofthe ma
tJorIty is. congressional caucus, as facts be-
tore our eyes unquestionably prove, affords but
very tailible criterion. In truth, until the
yelectioh is over, t is extremely difficult to pro-
nornce, especially i'll times ike these, so fruit
tul IN events who will DE selected 10y a MAORI
| ~ OF the nation. For let il be remembered
mat the president Is chosen by majority OF
the nation, and not by the majority of a party
Until this event occurs therefore every man
( ought TO express MS own opinion and TO act
according TO the dictates of his own Judgment
BY this mode of proceeding, the opinion of
real majority prevails. In pursuing this mode,
we snre satisfied that we are acting u1on prin-
| ciple which is not only sound, but IN reality the
\ basis of all republican institutions.
This subject Is entitled To the most sarioue
consideration of the people. Their acques-
cence IN the present nomination, would contri-
butte to the establishment Of a precedent SUB
yersive of the only right except that of voting
Tor their Immediate representatives which the
consultation authorizes them to exercise in per-
son Their own legitimate power will b. trans
tered to others, and what is more TO BIZ. ,.e-
plored, transferred to the identical persons.
whom wise policy has excluded from AZ e.cs;-
toral appointment.
We repeat 10 you therefore, fc!low-citizsns,
! what we said some months ago, that We prefer
Mr.. Monroe as the nest president of the Uni
ted States. We think that he has the highe.t
CLAIMS to your confidence and regard His
eatly devotion oi himself in the army. TO the
cause OF his country, proved by honorable scars,
hiS faithful and long continued services at home
and abroad, his solid aad vigorous understand
g, hrs INTEGRITY, his experience acquired in
the most difficult and important trusts his un-
deviSting hrmness and decision of character,
entit!e him to your gratitude, affection and re-
spect. This proposition seems indeed TO be
generally admitted, and we believe that the
great majority Of MS opponents, if Mr. Madi-
son were out of the way, would be well pleas
ed t. see Mr. Monroe at the mead of our natl
onal affairs.
But Mr.. Monroe has other claims. His long
residence abroad. AMI the very high degree Of
estimation III which he was held both in France
and Great Britain, have opened tn him sources
Of information, with respect to the real vie VS.,
motives and sentiments of the French and Bri.
tish cabinets, which could not have been equal
Inaccessible to his competitor His knowledge,
we think, wound afford the most essential be
neht 70 this country in our present very dbl
cult and critical negoci .tons. His election,
according to our best iudgmenr, would have
most ausplciOus influence on the destiny of this
nation. We believe that if he were elected.
oitr differences with the beIligerent powers of
Europe would be accommodated with less diff
Guilty than we are likely to experience, and i'll
war should be the result, our defence may be
entrusted to his hands with more proprietyI
than to those Of his respectable competitor
lnspeaking the just claims which Mr. Mon
roe has upon the conf lence and affe ton of the |
people, we cannot forbear to notice his conduct
while governor of Virginia. The period at
which he came into Office must be remember
ed by you all. Never was the spirit Of party
more violent, nor was any man ever assaulted
with greater aenorify md cusrorro Such no.