Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-01
10 the Editor Of tic Virginia Argus.

TO the Editor Of the Virginia Argus.
IN nv last address to you I mentioned
the importance of a spirit OF union among
the republican party, IN making the seiec-
tion ot proper character lobe put III no.
mination for the office Of President OF the
United States | win row make atew OBJ
scrvaiious ncerning the means by which
that union. SO truly desirable, may be OBJ
taIned.
Only two methods exist of proposing per-
sons 70 be voted for 10y the electors; first,
by individuals (printers of newspapers, or
,,,hers. y thro' the medium of the press
secondly, by voluntary associations OF in
dividuals Isay eniy f7vo methods be-
cause conceive that caUcuses o. congress
or of the state legislatures are nothing
more than voluntary associations, in which
the members act nor IN their oficiai or ie-
gisldttOe, but in their fr1uate cGfGctfy.
If neither OF these methods were adopt
ed Of bringing forward ~ the notice Of the
public any particular persons, no d'scrsSi-
on could take place concerning the COM
Daratiye merits of the candidates the
minds of ~. people would be uniformed,
and their sentiments totally unascertained
or the suaiect-Of course there couldte
no concert Or .upion, except by accident
and tile electors would vote Ike AN arbi-
trary 'VenetiaH-Sienate Or Turkish Diyan,
without any responsibility TO their copstj-
tuents. To oneor the other, therefore, of
the methods l have mentioned, recourse
m, st b.. had.
The first appears to be the best in some
re.pects.--Ihc recommendations bv indi-
yieuais, unconpected with each other, are
less liable to he obtained by intrigue or
iFproper influence, than those which, are
wade by caucsSes or setf-constituIed as
emblies; and, being supported only by the
strength of their arguments, can do no
farm, bat may be productive of great good,
{ " enlightening and directing the public
pind.--Such recommendations are there
1ore highly justi6ahle and useful, when
made in a candid and temperate manner,
and ough; never TO be neglected or dscou-
ragged. Nevertheless, they are totally in
adequate.to the objecj OF ascertaning the
will OF tht majority Of the people, or of
accomplishing union between the members
OF party, for the purpose of concurring
in promoting the general good, instead of
consulting their own separate interests and
affections, or their personal partiaiities.
Where great variety of rccommo ndati-
o1s are made BY individuals, and MANY ar
giimeEts are urged in favor of contending
candidates, data are indeed furnished, by
which the discriminating mind is the better
enabled to make a ju,lic'ous choice.-Still,
however, there can he no union or cOaCur-
reare of minds, unless such union or con-
currcpce he accidental, or uniess Gas was
tie case WI, the late General Hin hing
ton, some one chafac;er is SO prc-emincnt-
" iiiuA TiouS and ,;apular thar no comreti-
ti1n wi;h him can be expected.-VEherevs
thc latter is not the case (which must rare
Is happen no agreement To support any
one ID igidual can take place, escept hy
the means Of ASSOCIATIONS for the purpose
OF Comforting toeether, and OF adop.'rg -
the result OF tie coBferente, Tesoiutirn
20 that effect.
ftmav be said that agreements or re- o.
lutions Of this nature are improper ana
corrupt, IS sacrificing thar independence
OF sentiment which men Of integrity ard
repuhliean principles ought ever to pre-
serve. ] admit that, il they were carried
TO that length thew would be extremely
censurabIe. II, for example, = caucus
should be formed (if that were possible) Of
Federahsts and Rehu6Hcans, or Of men
radically opposed ~ pDliuc8 opinions, il
would be abs1rt f'r the company 90 agree
that the viii oT tbe u.iorlry snOuld hind
the minorlty.--Thc conscieuces of the lat
yer ought not TO permit them TO acqresce
IN measures which their Judgments would
msapDrovc. SO, even whcrc the meeting
consists altogether % Republican,, yet
u any one nfrthem differed from the rest
IN his opinion concerning any particular
candidate, and conceived him 70 be zvrnt,
zDtcked, or a da1rer0us character It
would be betraying ne interests of his
e0nntrv for such person TO surrender his
Objections TO the influence Of any majority,
however, great. IL is therefore only the
accomplishment oF slight shades Of differ
encc between opinions To which consent
should be given. No important principle
0isat vs. any means ~ be surrendered
NV where the qucsfion is only between in
d'viiua!s whose republican principles are
9hs same, whose integrity is undoubted,
aN' "lose abilities Eve nearly equal, IL -
pcrict tly proper fo~ those who generally
sEree N their political creed, and have 30
n'*stHfy % either Of the candidates, 20