The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-16


will ask nothing more of them. These viii
lead them III the contempt ticn of all public
measures to- enquire. are they correct; arc
they republican not are they recommend
ed by the administration are they suppoi ted
OF opposed by MIR. Randolph,
ANTI-PHOCION.
70 THE PEOPLE OF VIRGL.NI.f.
write to pou my felow-citizcns Of Vir-
ginia, for the lasttme. My rcxt letter will
be addressed TO the people of the u. States.
am doubtful however whether I shall be
heard. The great avenue to the national
iprcsenCc. seems TO be closed against those
who advocate the cause in which have en-
gagged. l allude to the Aurora. The etli-
tor of that paper, laying aside not only his
lpredilection for Mr.. Munrce, so often ae-
knowledgcd during the last summer, but his
hostility to MIR. Madisous election, repeat-
e6'y and energeticaily avowcd, appears to
b disposed to acquiesce in the nomi ~ ton
!made BY the caucus at Washington, ard CO :
tents himself with saving that 'sthis is not
time for pickering about a President" Bick-
lering at any time IS folly. But tho election
LOT Presiltn- III the n escnt '' Crisis IF our
ertcrnat affair."" is matter of the highest
Importance, and the discussions which it NAV
ration, deserve not this degrading appella-
Ftion. The subjugation of the Enropeen CON.
tincnt, the probable downfall of Great B~i-
tain and the awful consequences. which a ca
itastrophe so terrible must inevitably pro
duce, cannot fail to excite in the mird of G.
vciy thinking man, the most serious appre-
tensions, net merely for our welfare, but Tor
our national existence. Il is at this moment
therefore, peculiarly and emphaticaily at
his moment, the duty of the people of these
y. States, to examine atteDtiveiy the pretcn-
sions Of the several candidates presented to
their view, and actuated by just and indie
pendent spirit, TO pronounce that decision
which may be most conducive to the public
good. In the exercise of a power, which the
nation has deemed too important to be con-
tded tolts ordinary agents, and has therefore
reserved to itself, the people are bound a.
this most interesting pcricd, By motives as
cogent as they are obvious, to Law aside all
prejudice, to Danish all selfish views, and
y disregard all considerations except these
which the love Of our country shall inspire.
They are bound to exert their best Judgment
In selecting for the high and arduous Office
OF PRESIDENT, him whose qualities and talents
are best fitted to conduct us with honor and
SAFETY, thro' the dangers and perils which
are now approaching; and in thus acting
they will set an example justice, intiepenci-
ence and patriotism which will reflect Gre
dit on themselves and confer blessing on
the present generation and posterity
On this subject more will be said hereaf-
ter return to the caucus at WASHINGTON.
In rejecting on this point, one considerable
on we'll deserving notice immediately occurs.
II guard against corruption and intrigue
the constitution declares that "no Senator
or Representative" shall be appointed an e.
lGrtnr II 4. 4 4 II
were compelled for a large portion of each
year, to remain at the seat of the general
government mightact under the influence of
some bias or motive, incompatible with that
purity and independence which an elector
ought to possess. Remember, my fellow CT
items, that this is a lesson which is inculcat-
eddy the constitution itself. If then Sena-
tors and Representatives, who are excluded
from the electoral assemblies, will vet I'M
dertakc to prescribe to these assemblies the
duty which they are to perform, to point out
to them, the person on whom their votes are
to be bestowed, what is the inference, which
those who respect this part of our constitu-
tion, are authorised to make will not &c
Sofar as To say, that their assumption of the
power OF recommending candidate to the
nation, IS interdictet by the constitution, and
Ought to be stigmaused as an understandable
encroachment on the rights of the people,
But, it there be any wisdom in the constitu-
tonal regulation here noticed; it NAV, with
out any departure from candor on decency
be said, that nomination by senator's O,
representatives is less entitled TO the res
, pectful consideration of the people than .
nomination made by any other assembiage
OF intelligent men collected from the same
quarters OF the Union. In fact their situati.
on is peculiarly delicate. 1t is net only Sc
in itself, because they are assembled toge-
Their within the view of those who aspire
to the Office, and whose influence therefore
tho not cXerted may be felt, but it is declar.
ed to be SO by solemn constitutional pro,
vision.
In this view of the subject the reason.
which produce a caucus at Washington
ought to be so obvious and so strong as, t
leave no room to QUESTION its propriety. Ii
fact caucus there ought not to be held ex.
ccpt in a case ofncccssity. In the year 1900
the great question, whether we should have
a republican administration or not, depend
ed on the preservation of harmony and con.
cert among its advocates throughout the Uni.
on. The least division would have been ia.
tai to their cause. a caucus therefore a
that period was a measure not only justiia
bic but necessary, or to speak more correctly
it was justihabe, because it was necessary
Not murmur against it was heard.
The members of the caucus at Washing
:, ton cannot without abandoning all preten
sioNs to consistency, controyert the doctrine
/ Which is here advanced. In the rpsoIu.;ct