Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-24
RICMOND:
MORNING, FEBRUARY "a. ~
THE RICHMOND CAUCUS.

THE RICHMOND CAUCUS.
Weinvtc the attention of our readers to the
proceedings of the caucus on Saturday night
However doubtful may be the principle of a
caucus, and to what dangerous consequences,
its introduction as past of the necessary ma
chinery OF Government, may lead at last, the
spirit of harmony. with which this was conduct
cd, and the general manifestation of a spirit to
sacrifice individual prediction, to the will of
the majority, must be gratifying to all and was
certainly true Indication of Republican feel
ing. Could TINS sentiment become general. n
caucus would prove in practice, the good thing
Its friends have asserted it to be. The election
of MIR. Crawford, MIR. Adams or any body else,
is a circumstance of far inferior consequence, to
the cultivation and maintenance of SO honorable
and SO profitable spirit. Opposed to Mr..
Crawford, we should not be willing to see his
election defeated, by the destruction of that po-
litical unanimity, which has so long characteri-
sed alphabetically to the claims of Mr. A
dams, we desire not his election, at the expcnce
OF introducing into Virginia the discord and d.
visions, which are distracting other States. We
have no fears for the government, for Republic
can principles, or for the continuance ofthe Ad-
ministration in the democratic course it has pur-
sued for the last twenty years, let who will be
President. The people are competent to protect
themselves and their principles under any Pre-
sident, and the preservation oforder in the coun-
try, and purity in elections is of more moment
to all, than the elevation of this or that indivi-
dual.
As far as the Legislature reflects the opinions
of the people of Virginia, those opinions are de-
cidedly for Mr.. Crawford. Whether the mir
ror be true or false, others are as competent to
judge as ourselves. That he has plu,ulity we
never questioned, and the overwhelming ma
jorty which he received in this meeting, places
the fact beyond controversy. We are free to
confess, that this majority exceeded considera-
bly, our calculations, nor do we think il would
have been SO great, but for the adoption of the
ingenious stratagem Gf it was one) which re-
quired members to vote Uiua voce. 1t was ami
mating to the partizans of Mr.. Crawford, to hear
fis name responded to every call, and to see the
broad grin which dilated the honest countenan-
ces of his friends at the accession of each vote
and it was in the same degree depressing to his
opponents, to witness the good humored exulta-
ton OF his friends, to feel that they were in
small minorties, and possibly to find themselves
opposed to the ridicule of the meeting, for the
singularity of their choce. Man is social ami
NAL, and 1t is natural for him to herd with his
species. He is likewise ambitious, and prefers
the acquisition of power and Importance by the
aid and countenance of others, to acting alone
even when be is asserting his independence and
rights of manhood. On these philosophical
principles, we attempt to account for the rumor-
ed boiling of some two or three individuals, and
the manifest flinching of others, where they
were called to vote for an unpopular candidate.
Ofcourse, we locate these remarks, on no indi-
yidpal, and have none particularly none eye
1t was conduct after all extremely natural, for
no one likes to be left by himsclfi in the dark.
Notwithstanding this unanimity in favor of
Mr.. Crawford, it is very improbable that he
will get the vote of Virginia, or that he himself,
as apatriot, would desire it. OF all the candi-
dates for the,Presidency, though perhaps intrin-
sically the strongest he has the least prospect of
success, Mr.. Calhoun excepted. His inter-
est cannot advance, for he is the second
choice of no state; it may recede, for the
just prevalence of this opinion, will and ought to
induce those states favorable to him, to relin-
quish the contest. The question for the consi-
Iteration of Virginia is, will she by throwing a
way her vote on Mr.. Crowford, indirectly elect
jackson, SO obnoxious to her as Statesman,
Calhoun with his high handed federalism, or
Clay who Is opposed to all her interests and to
all her feelings? Or by designating as her next
choice, John G. Adams, CRAFTY the Oldest, and
most popnlous section Of the United States
one that prejudices apart, has a community of
interests with her-and be instrumental at last
IN elevatng to the Presidency, citizen who has
overcome the accidental prejudicies of birth and
education, who has been trusted by Jefferson
and Madison, has filled all the subordinate
grades of Office, and who in the pending canvass,
has conducted himself with a modesty, dignity
and disinterestedness, which has extorted tho
applause of his most implacable enemies?