Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-11-23
RICHMOND WING.
TUESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER %, 1924.
THE VICE PRESIDENCY-YIRG
MIR. CALHOUN

MIR. CALHOUN.
The withdrawal of Mr.. Galatn, has left the
Electors chosen in those states which support
the caucus nomination, at liberty to exercise
their own discretion in selecting an individual 10
be voted for as Vice President. 1t is a discre-
ton unprecedented in any former election, and
one we imagine, which tue electors themsely es,
would gladly decline. They have no nominal :.
ton of any body of citizens, public or private,
to influence their choice and scarcely the slight
est development of public opinion, to guide
their decision. Under these circumstances
having no indications of public sentiment to
serve as a rule of conduct, they must sensibly
feel their responsibility-and they may assure
themselves before hand, THAT as the voice of the
people rs unpronounced and uncommitted they
will not be sustained by the influence of Any
party. Too much indtferenceis manifested as
to the choice of Vice Presilent--an appoint
ment not unmportant in itself, and under par
ticular contingencies, of the very last impor-
lance. Who ought the Electors of Virginia TO
support for that high Office.
We have already observed, that public opin-
ion on this question had not been expressed, and
we believe we might have added, formed In
two or three of the Caucus Journals, Mr.. Clay's
mans has been introduced-but presume the
sntention es. rather to conciliate his friends for
the purpose of sc-suring their contingent assis-
lance in electing Mr.. Crawford, than to recon-
mend him seriously as Vice President, to Mr..
priety of this selection, are ably exposed by
%'Fabius," in another column, to which we en-.
treat the serious attention of the public. In
addition to the reasons he gives for rejecting
MIR. Clay, reasons perfectly unanswerabie,
others, of great force may be added. Mr.. Clay
has declared through the medium of his friends,
that he vas not to be Withdrawn for the Presi-
dency. How should he consider such pro.
position, but as in the light of an insult? The
most energetic appeals have been made by his
friends to Virginia to aid in his election TO the
Presidency. These appeals have been steadily
resisted. Virginia has refused to give him what
he asks-will he condcscenl to accept the une-
quail boon which she offers, Besides, 1t is by
no means SO certain, ms we thought it few DAYS
ago, If Mr. Clay will not be returned to the
III. of r. to the exclusion of Mr.. Crawford him
self. Mr.. Clay, in that event, may supercede
Mr.. Crawford, and himself play the part of
Patron. How will it look, for the friends of one
OF the candidates to vote for another as Vice
President, when that other is superior to him
in strength To be brief, the idea of supporting
MIR. Clay for V. =. is ridiculous. He is him
self candidate for the Presidency--he is a M
tive OF the same state with MIR. Crawford-it
would be worse than idle to effect-it would
be pretending to support principle, when there
sno principle IN the case-it would be offensive
to MIR. Clay himself who is asking for the Presi-
dency, and not the Vice Presdency-and it
could only serve to widen the breach already
subsisting between Virginia and the Union.
In reality, Mr.. Clay is precisely that individual,
whom it would be most invidious and indecent
In Virginia, to support.
Under these circumstances, we feel assured
that the idea of supporting Mr.. Clay, if it has
ever been seriously thought Of will be rein-
quished by the good sense of the Electoral Col
lege. That body is unpfedged and untraninel-
ed, and i'll the absence OF any thing like instruc-
ton, they ought to disregard the attempts that
will be made by heated and prejudiced par
tizans in this city, to influence them and consult
only, the dignity of the state, and the welfare
of the Union. With great humility, we take
the liberty of suggesting the following consider
atoms which recommend the support of Mr..
Calhoun as Vice President.
In enumerating some ofthese it will be super
duous to dwell upon his talents and competency
to discharge the duties of Vice President. Ia
Tents Of the first order we believe his most in
veterate enemies have concealed him. A
clearer head-a more rapid perception of things
deeper and more comprehensive thought
juster discrmnation-greater promptitude to
decide, and more energy in executing, we do not
believe are allowed to any individual of his ag G
In the U. States. These attributes more than
qualify him for the oiice-they render him per-
haps, superior to 1t.
To these il may be added, that the country is
greatly indebted to the services of Mr.. Calhoun
services, which all parts of the union remember
with gratitude, but Virginia and Georgia alone
States whch at the time those services were
rendered, were deeply instrumental in making
them acceptable, aud loud in professions of adj
Iniration and esteem for him who performed
them. The great body of the republican party,
Ia great majority of the population and states
of the union, Vermont, New Hampshire,
Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connec-
ticut, New York, ". Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ma
ryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ten
nessee, Mississippi, Alabama Louisiana, and
probably Ohio and the ". Western States, will
certainly support him in the election, and ele-
vate him by great majority 10 the Vice Presi-
dency. Why should Virginia separate from
the friends with whom she has always u.ted'
Ifshe is unfortunately committed by the impru-
dcnce of her rulers to support candidate for
the Presidency, whose hopes of success are des-
perate, why should she voluntarily and FOOLISH
Iy, commit herself second time; and throw
away her vote for Vice President, II is not
that wish to secure the election of Mr. Cal
houn, by Virginia's voting for hn--that is Sc
cured already, beyond any reasonable doubt
but that we wish her to preserve some link un-
broken, which will connect her with the great
republican party of the union. We do not ad .
dress it as an argument to the Electors, that
MIR. Calhoun will be elected without their as
sistance. Honorable men will spurn such
motive-but we wish them to see, that he has
the respect and confidence of the great majority
of the union, and that his possessing them is
some evidence that he deserves them. We
have heard the cant that Mr.. Calhoun is re-
publican, and that Virginia, stedfast to her priD
cipfes ought not 10 vote for him. This is cant
and nothing else. But let MS examine in detail,