The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-09-08
address


ensuing election.
TO TIE PEOPLE OF TIE UNITED
STATES.
(ConCiuded.
The state Of N. V has now, for the first time, put
forward its claim; aud examine, request you,
whether some considerations do not strongly mark
the proprety Of its giving the next President TO the
union. g.
The state of Virginia has, for twenty ont of the
twenty -four years OF our present government en-
JOyed that honor she seems DESTROYS of possessing
1t for another term, and perhaps for many
the patience Of her sister states viii permit. We
cheerfuiy acknowledge the worth and services of
che magistrates she has produced nor do we doubt
her competency to Furnish brilliant succession for
many years to come but we may be permitted to
suggest, that the patriotism and wisdom Of the union
are not entirely confined within her precincts II
her pretensions be founded on exclusive, even
superior talents they offensive to her compeers,
and think unjust. II other states then can fur
ni.h able and intelligent chief magistrates, there
reasons of no light moment, why she should for
time retire from tie competition. t-"
Perhaps it the original trainers OF our constitution
had inserted provision for the practical rotation of
the presidential Office in the different states and in
ssme proportion to their population and Importance,
they would have given an additional proof Of their
wisdom and foresight. If they had done sowe should
not now have occasion to aude to jealousies, the
sstence OF which it is in vain to deny, however deep
iy they may be iamented as gradually undermining
the habituaf attachment OF many for contcdera-
ton. We will abstain from inguirng Into their JUS
ice II is unnecessary since, to render them dan
Serons to our prosperity, is not essential that they
should be well founded it is sufficient f they exist.
They will in that equally rankle in the heart
bias the understanding, and ALLEVIATE the affection OF
whatsoever feels them To what they chiefly
owing Why is Virginia influence a bye-word in
the eastern states; while talks OF South Car
DINA or Peunsy lvania influence We are not dis
posed to facilitate our success by encouraging those
jealousies against Virginia influence The best in
tcrests OF the union require that they should be al
iayed; but we arc convinced they never will cease,
while the cause ar pretext for them remains Vir-
gnia herself she values the confederation, should
abdicate situation which she cannot retain without
wounding the feelings of her associates, and weak
ening their attachment for union.
Another evil has resulted from the proracted con.
tinuance OF power in the same quarter. The agri-
cultural and commercial states beginning to be
arrayed against each other and to feel as if they
were not connected by common bond of interest
Ihe errors OF this sentiment we disclaim but the
practical merchants and farmers prone in every
country, to regard each other rivals; will
either party ever patiently submit to be long &
siusivey governed by the other or regulated by its
peculiar views or tenets. The population and re-
sources Of this state place il in the first rank while
ats local situation makes of the fit repositories
OF power, until the dstrsst and suspicious alluded
90 shall have subsidized, the evils they complain Of
shail be reinedied Tits middle state, not deeply
tnged with either northern southern prejudices |;
as emjnentiy commercial, and most extensively ag-
ricuiturai; il would be likely to hold the balance
even and to eonciiate the interests and good wishes
of all.
These considerations would be weighty even in
times Of profound peace but the existence of war
furnishes anotser aud more powerful argument
New York IS indeed q middle but she is also cmpha-
ticaiiy frontier state. Whatever disasters may be
produced by the war, she win share them as "a
aommoe calamity, and probably she win also
feel them with peculiar severity, inflicted on her
SELF We do not utter this in the spirit of querulous
repinng; nature has placed as in the post of dam
ger, and hearts and principles determine us to
defendit as the post of honor. But IL our borders
no hoy affuax,
~ invsded; If our opu!ent and defenceless capt. al
seems to invite the Zoe, does not the welfare Of the
union at large require that its resources should be
directed 90 the protection Of those exposed places,
by ascatesn1sn to Ehora their wants perfectly
kaowu, and who would guard them with affectionatc
Yea, If TO this argument of general concern, we
added somewhat Of personal qualification, should we
do wrong IL We said-noy that our fortitude is
20 be peculiarly tried that population is to be
pofared our that cur property may lie laid waste
that our individual happiness is put at risk Of
fer yen chief magistrate, whose republican prnci-
pies you esRnSt doubt; of whose competency and
talents discharge the duties of that station, you
are we'll convinced crafty in his election. He
enjoys oor utmost cenfdeaee lie Rherits the blood,
tc principles, and the &rmness of that hero, whom
ourselves snd our fathers long delighted 90 honor
who @ss the guide and guardian Of this his native
ntz1es vhn the same enemy formerly desoated our
taads, sRd hucnt oar towna who was never appa-
Ted ca sts utmost difficulties, and whose vaor and
sFisSon eG.Rentiy contributed to the ultimate tri-
0rsph Of America. II we even urged persuasive
like this, IS there an American heart suscepti,Ie
Of feeling, gratitude tlat would repel cur claim
There reRSins TO us another subject, which we
must reluctantly enter upon, and which shall
endeaT0r 60 discuss with caa6or and forbearance
We are not enemies to Mr.. MadisoU, and should
regret exceedingly if we considered as dspar-
aging his reputation. Much as esteem Mr..
Elafou, and DESTROYS we are OF his success, we
shos'd regret it, IL it could ONLY be accomplished by
TthyiRg bis competitor but the merits of the one
do not require 10 be set of by ceRsurng the other
efr. Madison has passed through life of honor &
pabe services, snd has been already exalted to the
brst Office in the union His friends DESTROYS of
his enjoying il for another term and alIege some
thing ske usage in the reelection Of his phedeces-
aors Ii is true Washington, the idol of all parties
vsx so exaited IL is true, Jefferson the idol of the
republicans, obtained the distinction ; but
magistrate may be very meritoTious, without de-
serving the honors conferred upon Washington, s.
Jefferson.
We moi aware of any advantage that can re-
suit by establishing the rule, that every President,
who is MT extremely disapprovcd of, shall be re-
eieeted.-The next step viii be, that some fayorite
p0biie servant, rs proof OF our peculiar esteem,
viii be continued in Office for three successive
terms and sson three terms will &c the ordinary
period for & president whom it is not intended to
disgrace--ius shall i,npcFceptiby slide into an
election Tor Rte, and perhaps towards an heredita-
~ SUCCESSION. Eight years not improper
length of tine a reward for uueomtn ou services
but there is no reason why they should become the
ordinary tenure Of ofice--Neverthcles had there
been no sufficiently coGntervaiing motives, aud had
the times been more tranquil, we should not per-
haps, object TO the election of Mr. Madison, is
that honour were deemed necessary to ill the mea-
sure OF his fame. But, much respect the
feelings oil that gentleman, we cannot consent TO
hat NADIA