Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-03-11

ity $ a 6eicrate from orc q the territories
was invited and attended, a man who in
elections has no suffrage, ard in legislation
no vote. The persons, who met in pursu-
ancc Ga this unprecedented summons, pro-
ceedsd without discussion or debate, TO de-
termirie by ballot the candidates for the
highest Offices in the union. The charac-
ters oil different men, and their preteusi-
ons TO the public favor, were not suffered
| 10 be canvassed, aud all the responsibility
was avoided by the mode of selection. The
| determination of this conclape has been
published as the act of the republican par
| ty; and with as much e&ultation@, Is the
result OF solemn election by the nation.
Attempts are making TO impress upon the
puDuc mind, that these proceedings ought
TO he binding upon all the republicans, and
| those who refused to attend, or disapproye(i
or the meeting, are denounced as enemies
or liberty, and as apostates from the cause
of the people. In this state of things, we
think II our duty to address YOU, and we
deem ourselves called upon to enter our
most solemn protest against these proceed
| ings.
Ii is true that ut former periods, when
the election of a President and Vice Presi-
| dent approached, it was customary To hold
meetings OF the members of Congress, for
the purpose of Recommending candidates
to the public. But these meetings, if not
justified, were palliated by the necessity of
union. The federalists presented formi-
daole phaisnx and either to succeed mt
all, or to prevent them from placing the
candidate for the Vice Presidency in The
Presidential chair, it was necessary TO ex
crit the combined efforts OF the whole re-
publican party. But ii is equally true that
4 IN those the a..
presidency were mere matters of course.
In the hrst and second elections Under the
constitution, tue eyes of all were turned
/ upon General Washington, ond since the
expiration OF the two periods, du,ing which
ne i1ilsd the supreme executive Office, there
/ has not until now been any difference of o.
Pinion among the republicans AS to the
candidate for the first magistracy. The
real object of all former meetings was to
produc. such a corporation as would Sc
cure the election of a republican Vice.Pre-
sioeut
The circumstances, which might be urg-
ed III eAteniati"n OF such a measure here
! tofoTe, Go not now exist. The federalists
are comparatively few IN number, and form
but a feeble party they cannot give to anv
one candidate, more than sixteen or seven
teen votes out OF one hundred and seventy
SIX no federalist can therefore be elected
by the electors; 6 should no person have a
majority ofailthe electoral votes, the choice
or the President will Clevolve on the members
OF the present house of representatives, in
which the federalists have the votes of on
ly two states, Connecticut and Delaware.
| The alteration of the constitution prevents
the danger of any intrigue, by which the
intended Nlce-Presdent might be elected
PRESIDENT. No good reason can therefore
now be assigned, why an union of the re-
publicans in Favor of any particular person,
should be attempted by a measure in itself
SO exceptionabie, as a nomination bv the
! senators and representatives in congress-
We do not say that n consultation among
the members of congress, Respecting thS
persons to be recommended as candidates
Tor the two highest Offices OF the nation.
| may not IN some extraordinary crisis. be
proper. but the propriety must arise from
absolute necessity Even then, we doubt
whether 1t can be completely justified
| The people ought to exercise their
right of election without any undue bias
and is it not the evident intention of such
consultations, to produce bias? Besides.
| IN the event of there being no election bv
the electors, the choice of the President de-
wolves on the house of Representatives. and
that of the Vice-Fresident On the senate
/ Oliohlu VIC hbuSC ot representatives not sue
coed IN electing the President, the Vice
| President will Become the chiefmaeistrate
hence the improperly of nominal tons by
the members Of congress, is more glsring.
as it may become the political interest of
! TIE representatives IN prevent an election
| by the electors, and the senator's to fms
trate any choice by either. Norris this all
! a danger of more than ordinary magnitude
arises from the influence which NAV be used
! by tie President, over meetings OF any in
diviGGas at the seat of the general govern
ment. The hope, or the promise Of office
may be employed to induce nomination
either of himself, orofa favorite successor.
and it requires but little sagacity to forsce
the consequences of such corruption.
! So conscious were the members who at
tended the late meeting, of the weight of
/ objections which might be urged against
their proceedings, that they have thought
I it proper to publish an excuipatorv resoIu-
ton, proposed by Mr.. Giles, of Virginia.
and unanimously adopted. They have de-
clared, that in ''making their nominations,
they have acted only IN their individual
characters as citizens )" this is very true,
because they could act in no other, without
q breach OF their oaths, and a direct vio-
lation Of the letter OF the constitution But
was it not intended that those nominations
should be enforced by the sanction of con-