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

to the world, MIR Monroe is better fitted
than Mr.. Madison for the very arduous sta
ION III which he will stand, who for the nc
eight gears shall be placed at the head @.
our national affairs. Such was not our mo-
tive. The real object of the remark is. to
expose to every man of integrity and indie
Pendence, the absurdity of acting OH any
principle whatever, in this election, but that
which results from deliberate examination
of the real merits Of the candidates them
selves.
The advocates of Mr.. Madison, are aIrea-
dy inviting the friends of Mr.. Monroe, to IT.
mite with them in opposing the election of
Mr.. Clinton.* The terms of the address. in
winch this invitation is communicated, indie
cent az they are, towards the friends of Mr.
Monroe. are borne by us with PATIENCE
| we wish, that the understanding of the Deo-
pie should alone be consulted, and we have
endeavored to set to all, who NAV take a part
IN the present contest, an example of mode
ration, inspeaking of our opponents, and of
patience IN bearing their unjust, and some
times almost uciatelligible censurc. We
nave been denounced not only as hreten ded
republicans, but as. pretended friends of
MI Monroe, who under the influence of
some strange infatuation, are hurrving into
rum him and ourselves. All this we are
willing to forget, and even to forgive in adj
vance every charge or insinuation of this de-
scription. But we cannot, without indigna-
tioh as well as regret, observe, that such a
man as George Clinton, patriot of '76, a
soldier OF the revolution, a man holding the
second ofhce In the government, again no.
minated to that office by the friends of MIR.
Madison, and supported by one of the most
important states in the union, should now
because he is placed in competition with
that gentleman, De represented as a poor old
man, whom age has deprived of all energy,
ana destined to be the prey of improper in
iuence, and base intrigues. If the venera-
ton due to age, if the respect due to patrio-
tism, if the gratitude due to Revolutionary
service, II that justice, to which all are emit
.ied, have not influence enough to guard us
from language like this, it is to be hoped,
mat our pride at least as citizens of this
great republic, will disdain, by unwarranted
assertions, to degrade, in the eyes of for
eiSn NATIONS, those. who are supported BY
any portion of the people, for the highest Of
nee In the government. This remark is not
made for the protection of Mr.. Monroe
ne is well known abroad, and respected pre-
clsely as much as he is known
The invitation here mentioned. seems to
nave been made under a supposition, that
New York and Pennsylvania being opposed
to Mr.. Madison, would Consequently vote in
iaVor OF Mr.. Clinton. This is not our be-
i!ei. we do not pretend to possess any po-
s'f'"e information on this subject, but if we
are correct III our opinion that the causes
OF TINS opposition, are not merely personal,
out OF high political consideration in relation
TO the present actual and the future proba-
Die situation of the United States, these two
states, and 1t is supposed many others will
vote foi the same person, and that person
VIII be Clinton or Monroe, as circumstances
shall require. The silence of the meeting at
Lancaster, as to the candidate whom their
electors were to support, while their o;,pc-
sition to Mr.. Madison is acknowledged
seems fully tojustify this conclusion.
In this state of things, then, fellow-citi-
zens, Impressed as we are with every SEN
timent, which confidence in the integrity,
respect for the talents and a knowledge of
the services on James Monroe from the age
Fof seventeen to the present day can inspire,
we assure his friends throughout Virginia,
that we shall faithfully and zealously perform
the duties belonging to our station. In re-
turn, we request them in those counties.
where committee is not formed to indicate
serne person with whom a correspondence
may be commenced and to whom the proper
communications will in due time be made.
GEO HAY,
JNO. CLARKE,
EDWARD c. STANARD.
WIN. ROBERTSON.
JOHN BROCKENBOUGH.