The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-09-30
FRoA THE sPIRI7 OF" 70"
TO. THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

address yoH:
1t is manifest to all, that the situation of
this country is at this time in the highest
degree critical and embarrassed. The Ques-
items which It presents to cur view, Ought to
he considered with ca lm,ess. ,iscu.sed will,
cundcr and moderation. and decided on
principles justified by truth and patriotism
onlv. Among shcse qGe,tic;is there is none
whioh has excited or tieAeiN eel more altenti
on, than ,hat which relates to the next pre-
sislcntiai election.
We are we'll aware that on this subject we
differ fioin many CT cur fellow. citizens We
regret tE;s t,iiie, C,ce; but as it wou.d be an
rogant in rs CO request from others, u sur
renaer of their ci inions, we trust that we
shall no. he condemned for adhciing to cur
own. We k'0Fy that cur motives are pure
and VIC conscientious;y believe chat the
course which we pursue, leads more direct
ly to the promotion ot The best Interests of the
United states, than that recommended by
the cauouses at n ashington, and the Bell
Tavern in This Clty.-You can at least hear
our reasons and then jut;ge for yourselves
We thonSht last winter that the recon-
merdaHGHs % the caucus at Washington,
did lot afford an u.equivccal proof of the
real sentiments of the nation ] ine has e.
vinceu fihe accuracy O. the op .oa.--Not-
withstending the number Of the COngress:-
Eastern states given in the caucns To Mr.
Madison, it is l.ow apparent to the world
that he is mt tho object of their choice
We a.sothought that as the members of cor-
Bress were constitut:onaily excluded from the
right OF electoral suffrage, they were the last
persons, VINO ought to prescribe or recon-
mend to the people the WAY in which their
su.irages should be bestowed. The consi-
derauons Of policy which induced the franz
ers OF the constitution to establish this eECl,i-
sion, ought to have induced our representa-
hves III Congress to be silent. The necessi-
ty OF the case, by which they justified their
meeting, is an unwarranted and arbitrary
supposition. The argument derived from
the constitution therefore stands in full force
Members OF Congress are excluded, because
their duty places them within the reach of
undue influence and electioneering intrigues.
1t seems to be a fair inference therefore
that the same reason which would invali-
date an electoral vute given by member of
Congress, should diminish the weight ofhis
electoral Recommendation.
Notwithstanding the force of this consti-
tutional objection, it cannot be denied that
Mr.. Madison has derived great advantage
from this congressional INSTRUMENTATION. 1t
has erroneou-iy been regarded as conclusive
evidence Of the national sentiment, and ma
ny haye'declared their intention to vote for
him, because they supposed that he would De
supported by a majority although but for
that consideration they wcuid have prefer
red Mr.. Monroe as the successor of Mir JET
ferson.
% this mode Of reasoning we can never
assent. 1t is the duty. III the Tninolitv to ac-
quiesce i'll The viii of the majority but they
should wait un,ii that will is constltutionaily
and formally expressed. Until this is done,
Who can say III this extensive country, what
the will OF the majority is? Il congressional
CaucuS, as facts be lore our eyes tinQueStiona-
bly, prove, affords but a very fal ible crIteri-
OH. In truth, until the election is over, il is
extremely difficult to pronounce. especially
III times ike these, SO fruitful lii events, who
viii be sc!cCted by majority cf the nation
FOR let II be remembered that the President
IS chosenby a majority of The nation, and not
by the majority Of Il party. Until his e.
vent occurs therefore, every man ought to
expTess'his own opinion and TO act according
to- the dictates OF MS own judgment. by this
moae of proceeding the opinion of real
majority prevails. In pursuing this mode,
we are satisfied that we are acting upon a
prfECiP { which IS not 0n!y sound, 0ut III re-
aljty the basis Of all republican institut ans.
This subject is entitled to The moss seri-
ous confederation OF the people. Their &C
quieScenCe N the prese nj nomination, would
Contribute 10 inc Establishment Of a DrcCe-
dent subversive o the only right except that
OF voting for their immediate reDrescntatives,
which the constitution authoriscS them to- eX-
ercise IN person. Their own legitimate power
VIII be transferred to- others, 6; what is more 10
be depiored, transferred 20 the identical per
sens, whom "a wise policy has excluded from
an electoral appointment.
we repeal TO you therefore, fellow citi-
zcns, what we said months ago, that VIC pre-
fer Mr. Monroe as the President of the 4.
States. We thirk that he has the highest
claiUs to your confidence and regard. Ills
carry devotion OF himse, i'll the army, to The
cause OF his couEtry, proved b. honorable
scars, MS faithful and long continued ser
vices at home ard abroad, his solid and vi
goroSs understanding, his integrity, MS OK
rcriehoe acquired i'll the rGost Difficult. and
important trusts, his undeYiatin irmness &
decision OF character entitie him to your gra-
tituoe, affection, and respect This propo.
sition seems indeed, to be generally admit
ted, and we believe that the great MAORI
" OF his opponents, If Mr.. Madison were out
OF the way, wonld be well pleased to see
Fir. Monroe at the head Of our national af
fairs.
Hut MIR. Monroe has other claims. His
long residence abroad, and the very high de-
gree Of estimation in which he was he'd both
IN France and Great Britain, have opened TO
hirn sources Of information, with resuect to
the real vic wS, motives. and sentiments ,f rho