Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-20

Leon acted rponsy Tie Legis..sluIts o. Maine,
New York, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina,
Rhode Island, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana;
which states are entitled to one hundred ard
forty-six out of the tico hanidrcd and slrty-one
ro.es to be given in the United States. By the
republican members Of the Legislatures of tie
Tour states fast named, and entitled 10 seventy
eight votes, resolutions have been passed, with
great unanimity, approving, in the arInest terms
such meeting as has been held. In TIC remain
ing states mentioned, the resolutions of Tenncs-
see have been postponed, in some instances, in-
definitely, and in some others disposed of in a
manner cvincive of a determination not to act
upon them. In no state, except Maryland, CHI
titled TO eleven votes, has there been am cXpres-
sion of concurrence, by the Legislature, in the
views of the Legislature ofTcnnessce. In South
Carolina, entitled to the same number of votes,
one branch of the Legislature, III opposition to
the opinion of the other, has expressed such con-
currence. Nor have the members ofthc I.cris-
Iature of any state, in their individual capacity
expressed similar views. From reference to
these facts, we feel authorized in the belief that
q large majority ofthe Republicans of the Union
have desired and expected the abortion of the
course which, under the influence Of those i'm
pressions, we have felt it our duty ~ pursue
On the remaining subject of review. ne lave a
word only to offer. The circumstance of the
absence of SO many Republicans from our meet
lnghas already been stated as Subject forregre:.
1t is neither our privilege nor&hspositon to ex-
ercise any right of judgment dftheir conduct.
we have been uniform in the Snression of our
readiness TO abide by the entWdmtof general
convention of our Republican Brethren, and 10
rcnounce our predictions insohe,licnce to its
award. Various causes have combined to re-
duce the number of those who lfawe attended.
Several who were friendly to the candidates no
minated, had objections, which they conceived
to be founded in principle other circumstances
have co-operated. Without OBTAINING YOU bv
an enumeration, we content ourselves with a re-
ference to the striking fact, that although the
states Of New York, Virginia, and Maine have,
with unusual unaniInity, recommended TO their
Members, in express TERMS to attend this meet
ing, only thirty-four persons have represented
the sxty-n:ne votes to which they will be cnti-
tied in the election.
We will not attmpt to conceal the anxiety
with winch we are impressed by the present con-
Juncture; To our minds, the course of recent
events points to the entire dismembermcnt ofthe
party to which il is our pride to be attached. The
admission, unrcservedly made, that, on the aues-
ton CT the cxpediency of a convention, the en-
tire amalgamation of parties has been assumed
is, of itself, sufficient ground of solicitude. O.
Their considerations justify apprehensions of the
same character. The injurious consequences
likely to be produced by adeparture at this time,
from the ancient usages Of the party, will not be
confined to the election of President and Vice
PRESIDENT. Exertions are every where making
to break up the entire system of conventions for
the nomination of candidates, in reference TO
state as well as federal elections. 1t is submit
ted, then, whether an abandonment of the
Practice here will not involve the ultimate pros
tratlon of the system wherever it prevails. and
with 1t the securities of the republican ascen-
dancy. 1t is from an apprehension of such re-
suits, in the event of the abandonment of cstab-
lshed principles, and of the usage of the party,
that we have adoptad the proceedings now sub
mitted to your consideration. The question is, an
our best judgement, lone touching the dismcn,ber-
n,eia or preservation Of the party. This ques-
ton it rs your province to decide. The Office
we have sought to discharge has been % place
the subject before you for this decision. The
limits allotted to this address will not permit us
to dwell on the many and pressing considerations
OF a more general nature, urging to union among
republicans, with a view to the decision OF the
approaching election of the first officers of the
government by the people, and the avoidance of
the unalleylated mischiefs of an election by the
House of Representatives. Among the most
Siihiho vi tiesc CONSIDERATIONS is 10 be ranked
the inevitable ineficiency, as it respects the
measures, both of domestic and foreign charac-
ter, Of an Executive administration having to
rely for its support on the cooperation of Lee
glslature distracted by angry and implacabe
division. Of the persons recommended to YOU
as candidates it has not been usual to speak. No
motive exists to depart from the established usage
In this respect. known to you by a long course
ofpublic life, by their uniform devotion TO the
best interests of the nation, in stations of the
highest responsibility, in which their zeal, inte-
gritty, and capacity have been amply proved, we
are satisfied that we have only anticipated your
wishes by giving them our Recommendation.
Without intending to derogate from the merits
of others, for whom your confidence may be So
llcited, it IS just TO remind you that the candi-
date we recommend for the first Office in your
government, has established peculiar claim to
the esteem of the republican party, by his manly
and dlsinterested conduct upon former oca-
sion, under the strongest temptation to become
the instrument of compromising IFS integrity.
BENJAMIN RUGGLES, Chairman.
Il. COLLINS, Secretary,
LATEST FROM ENGLAND.
NORFOLK, Feb. 16.--By tho ship Rassclas.