Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-01-29
Dirgnla Argu5.
RIG H NJ o N D y
FRIDAY, JANUARY %, 1908.

THE result of the grand Caucus held at
the City o. Washington by the republican
members of congress appears in this days
Argus. The meeting which consisted of
SO members who rofed, was nearly una
nimnus in favour of Mr.. Madison. Whe-
ther any other caucus was to be held by
the absentees we are net informed: but,
from various circumstances, we are dispo-
sed to think that, if such an one should
take place, it would be for the purpose of
proposing Clinton, and not Monroe. as the
person proper to be elected President OF
the u. States.
We draw this conclusion from the iealou-
sy OF the influence and power of Virginia
which has already been displayed on the
part of some of the northern states, and
which we presume will induce them to en-
deavor TO prevent two of her citizens from
being at the same time held up as caudi-
dates, and the only candidates brought for
ward by Congress, for the important Office
at presidents; also, from the report, late
Fly IN circulation in this city, that the party
opposed TO the present administration in
congress had coalesced with the friends OF
Canton, and that he was to be nominated
TO the Presidency, and Monroe, to the
Vce-P residescu. THESE considerations &C
quire additional force FROM the cIrcum-
stance that all the representatives from
the state of .Nie7v- York Gin which he re-
sides) were absent from the Caucus; aris-
ing NEST probably from their determine
tion to support him as President and not s
pice President. We NAV, indeed, be mis-
taken in this superstition but the reports
generally circulating, that a very small
part Gt any of Congress is disposed TO sup
port 4Aonroe in opposition to Madison, a
gree with and Corroborate our impressions
ON the subject.
lie contest for the presidency will there
tore pr0bah!y be between Madison pnd Gin
ran /; for although it ought to he strongly
contenied that the members of congress
nave no right to dictate to the people the
names of those whom they shall choose as
President and Vice President, vet the rielt
caanat he denied them, as ipGiOidudis, in
cqmmonwiih all other citizens, of express
ing to the public their opinions and wishes
relative to the characters proposed TO be
elected; and 1t must be admitted, that in.
all probability, they generally speak the
sentiments Of their constituents.
IN this state of affairs we will beg leave
to suggest 10 the worthy republicans in the
legislature OF this stlte who have differed
with the majority of their political brethren,
the proprieiy of pausing ard rejecting, be-
tore they resolve 20 persevere in supporting
the election of Mr.. Monroe. This uniortu-
nate division among the members of she re :
publican party cannot produce the success of
that 81 eat and good man, and may possibly
nave the effect of diminishing his popularity
ana chance of promotion at some future dav.
mo the effect ofthc general ticket law NAV,
IN this state, prevent any loss of electoral
votes to Mr.. Madison, the effects of the
'ch'sm existing here may be felt in other
states. and, by occasiouiug votes to be vain
~ thrown away on Monroe, which would
otherwise he given to Madison, may unin
teat'onaily promote the success Of Clinton.
Having all the public good in view, agree
ing all in principle, it surely is the duty of
the republicans TO consent 70 relinquish
their personal pariialities, where the differ
cnce IN. the comparative merits Of the can
didAtes IS so unimportant, and endeavor 10
harmonise in supporting of that individual
IN favor OF whom the wishes OF the maiori-
y have been expressed. Otherwise The
d'scord prevailing among the friends of
both may defeat the election of either, and
ecure chat of Clinton, whose integrity and
republican principles are indeed not questi-
ned, but whose advanced age and increas-
ing infirmities render him incapable of
conducting the helm of stare, on the tenn
pesIuous ocean which, it seems, we are soon
TO navigate.