The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-06

ting noble example of nlagnanInity, and at
tractcd only BY the exalted merits of one of our
ewn citizens, shall again propose to commit
tic destinics of our country to a Yirsiaidn,
shall we be the first to declare, that we will
not submit to the selections Or shall we say
10 them, &c we not only require that you
- should elect one of our own state, but YOU
. must take just snch q Virginian as we
As like3" It'll an unfortunate truth, that the
Eastern States lave already conceived jea-
lousy of the influence of Virginia in the af-
fairs of the union; and it has been the inces-
SAINT effort of the federal party, tofoment this
jealousy, that they might avail themselves
of the schism Our state has been accused
Of a disposition to monopolze all Offices of
trust and emolument, and to treat with indig-
nifty every other member of the confederate
on. However highly we may estimate the
power of Virginia. it Is evident, that she is
not in condition to dcspse this prejudice.
3She cannot stand alone against combination
of the other states audit is equally the die
tate of prudence and equity, to refute this ca
dummy, by manifesting spirit of Cancellation
towards her neighbors of the North and the
South. But this is not the sentiment Of the
high-minded Hortensius. He utterly re-
probates" the idea, of yielding, not his prin-
ciples, but his attachments, to save his par
~ from destruction. When all the circum-
stances of this election are considered, it is
a matter of establishment, that Mr.. Madison
should have obtained so large Vote in Con-
gress; C it will probably be a very long time
Aafore any other Virginia will meet with E.
quail support. >.
"But few years ago" says Hortensius,
.tit seems agreed, that there would have
been majority for Mr.. Monroe Horton.
sius and his party have already proved them
selves so totally ignorant of the state of the
public mind, even in the legislature, that
very little respect is due to any calculation
they may make, as to the sentiments of the
people at large, at period which is long
past, and before the question was fully sub
United to their consideration. Hortensius
seems to bnild much OF his expectation of
success, upon the congratulations, addresses,
&c. which were presented to Col. Monroe
on his return to his native state, and which
were the pure enanations of that warm at
tachment which the people of Virginia feel
Tor his character. But these illusions of
feeling were totally uncon1ccted with the
Presidential election; and if it had been I'M
Gerstood that the authors of them had any
Interior objects in view, there were multi
tudes whe would have aostained from these
Testimonies Of respect and affection, rather
than Lead Col. Monroe and his supporters,
into an error, which might prove injurious
70 him md fatal to the republican party.
1t is 10 where expressly said by Hortensi-
us, but it is strongly implied, that he disap-
proves Of conducting an election of this sort,
by means of those meetings which have &C
CURED the name of caucuseS. But lest
should be charged with nlisrepresenting him,
viii here quote the passages, which, in my
judgment, establish this conclusion. LET
"eUerY man among the f,eofie honestly and
firmly declare his real opinion, and we
-'shall then and then only obtain fair ex-
"Pression OF the will Of the ration. Per-
''haps l may be in minority. When the
.'ftofRt IS settled, acquiescence will be my
'tduty." These are stated as general pro-
positions, unConnected with any particular
objections which are made to the caucuses
lately held. Again eBy that constitution
(meaning the constitution of the u. States)
(which we are all bound by the most solemn
obligations, as well as BY our best interests,
'to support, the ChiT Magistrate Of tic
'' Union rs 10 be eiecfed by The feotle.--
"The President of the United States is to be
'tplaced in his high and honorable station,
''by the 8afrageS # an indeheudent nation
whIChtrom numbers, rs well as situation,
sis without the reach Of faction or intrigue.'
Every word of this quotation goes to the < re-
probation OF q caucus; because it must be
admitted by all, that caucus is not the ma
non; and 1t is strongly insinuated that nei-
tier from its numbers nor its situation can
ltbe beyond the reach II. faction Oh, intrigue"
I1CftenSiuS, 1t Is true, proceeds TO point out
certain defects in these particular caucuses,
but these are objections Only superadded to
the general evils. After these Strong hints,
what Arc we to conclude but that Hortensi-
as is an enemy ia caucuses and that, in his
subsequent threat "to say few words about
caucuses generally" he intends to denounce
them, and shcw that they are Incompatible
with that constitutional mode of election,
which we are all bound, by the most solemn
obEgatfoaS, to support.
My motive for dwelling thus long on the
opinion OF Hortensiuis, is, to shew that his
practice is inconsistent with his principles :;
that caucuscs are essentially necessary I'M
der the present system of elections and
that the Caucus held in this city was not on
ly free from the objections Of Hortensius, but
the Ocry best mefhod Of obtaining the fair
and untlhHeaced sense of the Legislature
and the community, that could be devised
10 say that a caucus is either good OF evil
IN the abstract, is to say nothing. In politi-
cal affairs, we have only to chuse among e.
Wis; and the only object of our enquiry, I'm
less we are Utopian politicians, is to obtain
the least OF evils. Fit can be shewn, that
Presidential election can be conducted with
out the intervention of something in the ma
ture of caucus, theH and then onLv can we
pronounce, that caucuses should be explo-
Sicd.
In our country it will very often happen, as
n g-h han nod, Il.