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

as inthosc OF theirimmediat., REPRESENTATIVES,
in Congress, to whom is, ALREADY Com mitted
the guardianship of some of the d Earest con-
Gems ofthe people! Call it c4acus CT by
any name more barbarous it is still All es-
sential instrument of a Presidential electi-
on. -. q, .s. ,
1t would seem, Fat first view, that the necessi-
ty ola caucus in any particular state, would no
be SO urgent as at the seat of general govern
mcnt; inasmuch as the territory is less ex-
tensive, and the population lesy numerous
This would be true, if the election were
conducted by districts. But the law passed
some years ago, called the gene, al ticket law,
has rendered a caucus not or.ly expedient,
but absolutely necessary. BY that law every
voter is compelled, not only to chuse an cleo
tor in his own district, but one for every dis
trict in the state, and each elector must re-
side in the district which he represents
Now it is scarcely to be presumed that every
voter can have so extensive an acquaintance
throughout the state, as to be able to select
proper character in each district prescri-
bed by law. He must then be governed by
the information of others. But where can he
look for information with so much propriety,
as to the Representatives of the people in the
General Assembly, collected from all parts of
the state, and having an ample opportunity
to discuss the merits of every man who NAV
be selected as an elector. If this be the neces-
sary result of the general ticket law, it is our
duty to carry it into effect in the best possible
manner. Whether this law be expedient or
not, isnot now the enquiry but / beg leave to
refer Hortensius to the letters of Franklin.
where he will find that law very ably de-
Tended.
For more than eight years, we have been
IN the habit of holding caucsses on the eve of
a Presidential election. If Hortensius re-
garded them as destructive of the CONSTITUTE
onal mode of election, why has he remained
silent until this time ? Where was the pen
of the indignant Hortcnsius, when, year af-
ter year, he saw a repetition of these uncon-
sttutional meetings, gradually acquiring the
force and stability of precedents WHY did
we not hear his solemn protest against eau
cuses, before the late meetings were held in
this city? But Hortensus was willing to have
caucus, and his only complaint is, that it
was not sufficiently general. 1t is well known
that some of our eminent men of the present
day, are indebted for large portion Of their
| fame, to their patriotic declamations at
| caucus ..s.
The present number has been already pro-
| tracted to so great q length, that must re-
serve my answer to the charges Of Hortensi-
us against the caucuses at Washington aud
Richmond, to some future opportunity. But
| before | conclude, ! cannot forbear to make
| another appeal to the patriotism ofthc friends
| OF Col. Monroe. What is the real nature OF
| the present contests 1t is a question, not "a
bout frinci1tkeS, but men. The liberal men
on both sides acknowledge the high merits
OF each of the candidates. They admit that
the interests of our country cannot be sacri-
| fced. if they are committed to either. Is it
wise, is it patriotic, is it liberal, under these
circumstances, to hazard the prospect of dis
union, when all our feelings and all our neces-
| sites call upon us to stand a firm and united
prople! Compute the greatest advantage
| that may be gained, and the inevitable evils
that must result, and we shall Immediately
perceive destructive consequences which will
! How from perseverance i'll the course which
Col. Monroe's friends have marked out for
themselves. -, TULLIUS.