Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-10-05

From Niles Weekly Register.
The SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEoPLE.
M Ty

presidency in 1908, niuety-four members OF both
houses attended the meeting, oil whom only one
gentleman was from the state of New York, and
a smaller number than might have been expect
ed attended from Virginia. The no.
mination was made and accepted by the sc repub-
lican party" with much satisfaction as the coun-
try was involved in most delicate and difficult
relations with both Great Britain and France,
and unanirnity was indispensable TO the success
of those measures which we had adopted peace
fully to correct the unfriendly and hostile dispo-
sition of those nations towards us. II was per
fectly understood that Mr.. Madison would adj
here to the "Jelersouau policy" and with that
the people were more than content. 1t was not
a time VIXEN divisions among ourselves, and es-
pecially in our own party, could be permitted, if
it were possible to avaid them. The
great and growing state of New York was not
in ddhcsion-it was probable that the neighbour
ing states would feel common interest with
her, and so present formidable opposition to
"Me party" which, it also apprehended,
might be weakened, at home, by the friends of
Mr.. Monroe,-and bold stroke was necessary
to preserve the SUGGESTIONS And if in The pro
scription of the gentlemen named, [Messrs.
Monroe and Clinton1 it could be made to appear
that a matter ofprincipie was involved, the flu
ture support of Pennsylvania would be secured.
With that support, ''the party" always thought
itself safe.
They first began with Mr.. Monroe and the
following letter which was rcpublished in the RE-
GIsTER, of the Goth December last, was issued as
the will of the junto, and to prepare the people
for his prostraton. 1t copied into almost
every republican" paper of the day, by special
request, ifoyerloolSed or thought unimportant by
the editors, and really had the 'sgrand rounds"
L repubshed 1t myself in the '' Baltimore Even
ing Post" and understood that it was written as
sswith authority" | think also that the writer
was named to me "a distinguished gentleman
moi long since deceased) and was told il was
needful to give il all possible circulation, &C.
This happened more than sixteen years ago. 1
was then as thoroughly attached TO Richmond
politics any man, and did not discern the
distinctions between professions and practice
quite well as believe that do now and
was clear for sticking 20 the party.n
The following is the letter alluded to-sent
forth from Richmond:
'sI am sorry TO inform YOU that thc-presiden-
tal contest is still persisted in. Every thing has
been said by the real friends of Col. Monroe to
induce him to decline il; but, unfortunately,
their admonitions have been regarded as the
ebulitions of his enemies. The question has as
sumed an entirely new shape il is no longer a
mere matter of preference between individuals.
The administration has been most seriously at
tackled in order to carry their favorite candidate.
Few, indeed, of the sound republicans will go
with them; and the result will be, that the sup
porters of Monroe will be confined to the minor
Ity men and federalists. He ,CU then be identi-
fed eciH, them and must share their fate.n
Many other articles of like nature and ten
dency were published at about the same time; vet
the preceding NAV suffice But how strongly
does the ground taken n that letter apply to the
present period Sc 1t is no longer Il mere mat
ter OF preference between Individuals" says the
letter. The administration has been SeJ-i0usiy
Gttdc6ed ;a-OrdsJ 10 carry their (tUorite cdi,di-
date :" Few inGoed of the sound republicans
will go with them and the result will he, that
t..
to the minority rnen and the federalists." Look
at it was there ever any thing more apt? The
federalsts, as patty, have ceased to exist. The
word is obsolete at Washington. Even the edi-
tors of the s.National Intelgencer," who affect
to support the caucus nomination pa1ty
grounds, though frequently called upon, have
not dared to designate who are the federal mem
bars of congress, though they have thought it
expedent to declare that some such are in the
national legislature and To i,isinnate lUk0t then
are aJiaid TO say, that they are dangerous, and
must be opposed. as a party. The reason for it
Is obyious-sundry persons that could not pre-
tend TO enter the caucus as republicans, are no
toriousy among the greatest friends of the eau
Gus proceeding. II was this that made the edi-
tors unusually delicate. 'S Give us the names,
sir,'' SAL MIR. Randolph, when the innocency of
the Yaz9o claimants was plead in the house of
representatiyes-and say, give us the names of
the present members of congress, 10 Guard a.
gainst whose political movements i i. recon-
uendend that should yield up our personal
discretion to the viii of little bandn collected
in caucus The old party questions have died a.
way; and those who called fedcrasts as
well agree witbrepublicans ON matters of poll
cY, as to national affairs, those that were re-
pnbcaus do among themselves. Still the old
spirit of opposition, kept up'by preferences for
men more than by respect for measures re-
mains with few of the sup TO- Ue-tubn persons
of the days political intolerance. Aud where
are these now? Where is the fragment of that
party which president Adams shook off in the
latter part Of his administration, because of its
ultra aristocratical principles These are with
the eputticnn-cnucus-party almost TO a man (,
The extremes have met, us persons UW do ,uho
hnue u common object. The common object of
every aristocracy, let it be called by what name
it may, and without regard to its location, is
POWER.
So great was the excitement produced by this
prescription of Mr.. Monroe, that Mr.. Jefferson,
himself personally interfered to prevent its fulfil
ment. 1t had caused him much pain, and he
made great efforts TO heal the differences. He
was the only man, perhaps, that could have
healed them, and he did it. Mr.. Madison was
elected president and Mr.. Monroe became Sc
cretary of state Some few were dissatisfied
With, and deprecated the arrangement, but it
was approved ofby Che vast majorty-and thus
Mr.. Monroe was restored 10 his political stand
ing, and saved TO his party and the nation.