The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-13

that they arc both able and willing to cxcr
all these advantages TO pronaote the Cause i.
which they have engaged. Let Us supls.s,
that 1t is seriously contemplated TO introduc,
into tic caucus, men who are not member
OF theLegislature. under The fair f,rc,enc,
y aiding tn its deliberations but in rcaii
~, to bear dozvn all ohfosition. Let US sup
pose further, that not content with these adj
vantaSes, summons is sent todistant parts o
the state for men ofhigh stations and pre-em
ifient talents, to aid Gkeqcise in the deLi5erdt
ons Of the caucus. To this picture will mo-
add, a. Hortensius would, that the caucus i.
held "under the eyes of the person thus no
minated" Would you, People of Virginia
acqniesce in the decisions of such a caucus
VIII you suffer your representatives to re-
ceive their impressions, not from yourselves
but from the Metropolis to which they are
sent! And what course should those pursue
who reprobate caucus, conducted OH such
principles Your answer is plain: A sEPA-
RATE CAUCUS.
Hortensius strongly insinuates, that the
friends OF Mr.. Madison dreaded to encoun-
ter the formidable array of talents, which
would have appeared in support Of Col
Monroe at general caucus. l will not de.
.prive Hortensius of belief which affords
him such high qualification, and is SO hatter-
H'6 W ehS vanity vi Aio party. WIFI not
enter on the insidious Office of drawing pa
rallel between the conspicuous men on both
sides. Nor will l, at this time, pay to Mr..
Madison the just tribute which-is due to his
character. by displaying those distinguished
qualities, which elevate him far above the
reach OF intrigue, faction, and rancorous pre-
JUDGE. But admitting these pretensions of
Hortensions and his party, conceding the su
periority of their talents and eloauence. /
beg leave toenquire, whether the represen-
tatives, of the people of Virginia are TO be
swayed in their choice Of President, by
such instruments as these : If Hortensius
derived his opinions of Caucuses from The
plan which was drawn by the friends of Col.
Monroe, 1T IS not wonderful that he should
regard them with so much horror.
When Hortensius makes such strong and
serious accusations against the caucus at the
Bell, We naturally turn our eyes towards the
meeting at the Capitol: and the enquiry
immediately suggests itself, whether the
friends OF Col Monroe acted upon more Ii
beral principles We expect to find In their
conduct perfect contrast to every thing
done by their opponents. We expect to see
minds open toconviction, a disposition to dis
cuss with temper ard hear with candor-
and willingness to acquiesce in the will of
The majority. As the friends of Mr.. Madison
had been censurcd because '.they would
near ne argument and suffer 10 opposition, %
we mad "A right to'expect an opposite spirit
In the friends of Col. Monroe.
Alter these fair Professions, should hard
ly be believed if we're to assert that the
minority were governed BY that same deter
mnation to persevere in their schemes,
winch is regarded as 50 great a crime in the
trends OF MIR. Madison. Hortehsius the rsforc
shall speak for himself" Whether the adj
''vocates of this nomination would have ac-
" guessed in Its rejection, cannot now be de-
cided. For what purpose then should
a general caucus be called? If the minority.
men OF the same political principles, would
not yield their Candidate to the sense of the
majority; whence arises ali this Glamour a..
Sainst the friends of Mr.. Madison, because
they g would hear no argument and suffer
no opposition."' Is there any head metaphyl
steal enough, to distinguish between men
who Will not hear, and men who will not be
convinced? Were the friends Of Mr.. Madi-
son more beyond the reach of argument at
the beil-tavern, than the friends of Col.
Monroe would have been at general eau
Gus, when they came with minds stee,ed
with prejudice and stubborn with cieep-roct-
ed opinions But let us hear the notifications
which Hortensins annexes to this declarati-
on: 4" Their conduct no doubt would have
been, as 1t ought to have been, governed
" by circumstances. If they acted from hlsre
" motives and believed that by fair and no.
6 norabIe exertions, his election could be
" secured, they would have been guilty. 81
" treachery 10 their country, to Themselves,
6 and to him, if they had deserted the cause
" in which. they were engaged" The
friends of Col Monroe then were to persevere
IN defiance otthe decision of that Caucus, for
which they have so loudly called, if these
things concurre LIST. They must be con.
vinced that they act from "hnre n,otiues. ~
l his, one would suppose, would be no very
dithcuit matter. For my part, can only
say with Yorlck " trust they have good
conscience" After this self examination
they are, secondly, 70 believe, that, "by fair
and honorable eXertions, his election could
be secured" Now, if there is any subject on
which men ought to distrust their own judg-
ments, it is that of an election, where the
passions are reused, and where it is so pain
ful to anticipate defeat. Orr daily observa-
ton must convince us, that there is no pre-
text too frivolous for an ardent imagination
to grasp with eagerRess, when it fatters our
favurite propensities We may here truly
say with the poet, sra cuigue DegS iii dire
cufido. If any confirmation were wanting
OF this remark, it might be found in the CON
Duct ot'Col. MoDroe's friends We have seen
them pe1'ss ere in their des gn, notwithstand-
ins, the great ard irresistible evidence which
the have received, that the public mind j.
decidedly against them. We have seen them
IN opposition to all rational calculation, and
relying only on their own vague conjectures
pursue scheme which can Ouly terminate