The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-03-22

Monroe, the latter ought u be preferred. The
considerations which led to that preference,
have lost no portion of their influence. II is not
our bushes to lay them before the public but
we have no doubt that this task will be in due
time performed. & that other arguments in ia
vor OF Mr.. MonrOc'S election, equally cogent
and conclusive, will be deduccd from a view
or the critical situation OF the United
States at this moment, the causes which
produced it, and Tie distress and calamity
TO which we shah DC exposed, by a contest,
now almost inevitable, with the only power
IN Europe which has not bowed, or been
made to bow its neck to the woke of a con-
queror, whose ambition is without bounds,
AS his succcssesare without example Nor
dad the Indifference which we seemed to
manifest, result from an apprehension that
the number and confidence of Mr. Madison's
friends. would render unavaiiing the efforts
OF those who support Mr.. Monroe. Our real
motive was tLis--we saw that by means of the
memorable Caucus at the Bell, by means of
the equally memorable caucus at Washing
ton, and by means of inccsSant communion
lions made from that place to members of
the Legislature here, a sentiment was excl
ted Ill the public mind highly favorable to
the pretensions of Nh. Madison, and in an
equal degree injurious to these of Mr. Mon
roe. II was confidently affirmed and very
generally believed, that the election of Mr..
Madison was rendered indiSputably certain
by the almost unanimous vote of the repubi-
cans throughout the United States The re-
pnDhcan interest, 1t was said, ought not at
this time be divided, and upon this ground,
and on this only, numbers who really pre-
TERED Mr. Monroe, joined the friends of MIR.
Hiadlson Ihishrincihie, has been unequi-
Vocaliv avowed by many, and if we are not
mistaken, by the editors of the two most
conspicuous papers in Pennsylvania and Vir-
ginla. In the notes to the editor of this Ca
zette, sent by those who declined serving
as committeeman for Mr.. Monroe, it is ma
n'test, that the great majority, if not all of
them, were influenced principally by that
consideration.
We knew that it would be impossible for
us to counteract this sentiment, by any con-
Jectural statements, which we might be dis
posed 10 submit toy you. There are moments
OF popular excitement and delusion, when
the voice OF reason is as little heard, and
the precepts of sound discretion as little re-
garded by community as bv an agitated or
angry individual. The correctness of this
remark, anhappily for this country, may be
proved, without resorting to the occurrences
resulting from the present contest. But be-
ilevinS, that excitement. from it's nature,
cannot last long, and that the deiusion which
prevailed, must yield to evidence, whenever.
1t appeared, we determined to wait, with pa
tlence, until they both had passed away. We
trust, that they both have passed away. We
determined, also, to wait. until some facts
could be laid before you, which would evince
the tailacy of that doctrine, SO recently advan-
ced, but already SO widely dffused, which
teaches us IN Question of such real moment
to JON party merely because that party is
supposed to be a majority. Time has, at
length, disclosed facts of this description.
1t now appears that Mr.. Madison is not
" supported by the almost unanimous vote of
the republicans" throughout the United
otates: We learn from the papers devoted
TO MS interest, on this question: that, the two
great republican states of Pennsylvania and
New York, are decidedly hostile to his pre-
tensions Ea) Upon this point there seems
TO be no difference ct opinion But the cal
culatlon WHICH has been made, that their ex-
ample will be followed by all the states north
and east of Delaware, may be incorrect.
We speak of it, only, as matterof calcuIa-
ton, but II 1t be. true, Mr. Madison cannot
be elected, even, if all the other states in the
union should unite their whole Strength in his
support AN event, which certainly is not
to be expected.
1t ought not tobe forgotten, that the maio-
rlty OF the Pennsylvania delepation. in Con-
gress, voted at the caucus, in WASHINGTON,
III iaVor OF Mr. Madison co ) This is an i'm
portant fact, ard ought to be regarded as a
valuable lesson to the followers Of cancus-
maJorities. The Pennsylvania delegation
uid not, IN the caucus, speak the sentiments
OF their state, If we may credit the proceed
lngs OF the late assembly at Lancaster. COM
posed OF individuals selected for the special
purpose OF forming an electoral ticket This
TACT not only ShewS that cauCuses are not
much to be regarded as affordng evidence
OF the real sentiments of the people, but e.
vlnces the wisdom of the constitutional pro
VISION, which excludes senators and represen-
tativcs in Congress, from an electoral ap-
Polntment. In this very case, the majority
OF the Pennsylvania delegation will be in q
minority at home.
In truth this doctrine of following a eau
cus-majority, in all cases, appears odim,s in
every point OF view, in which 1t can be pre-
sehted. The conduct, which it prescribes, is
unmaHly, because it is surrender of a most
important right, and the dcsertion of sacred
DUTY. 1t is absurd, because. as we have al
ready Shewn, the opinion of a caucus and
the sentiment of state, may be in direct
hoSti!!y, and thus, while we arr following
supposed, we are withdrawing from real
laloilty. 1t is anti-republican because til.
pIaineSt principles of republicanism and Of
the constitution, require, that in such a case
as inns, the sense of n majority of tile nation
should prevail. How can this be ascertained
unless every man will have frmness enoupI,
to express his own honest and unbiasseI D.
pinion