Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-14

douot on my mind of what have suggested.
NO daring attempt was ever made, because
there was no opportunity for it. l thought that
" ARLINGTON was opposed to their schemes and
not beng able to take him with them, that they
| :'ere forced to work, in regard to him, under
handed, nsieg his name and standing with the
nation, as far as circumstances permitted, to
serve their purposes. The opposition, which
was carried on with great fir,nncss, checked
the career of this party, and kept it within mo-
derate limits. .uany of the circumstances on
winch my opinion is founded, took place in de-
bate and in society, and therefore find 40 place
| IN any public document. l am satisfied, howe
yer, that sufficient proof exists, founded ON facts
ana opinions of distinguished individuals, which
became public, 10 justify that which had
formed
The contest between the parties never ceased
rom MS commencement to the present time
nor do think that il can be said now to have
ceased. You saw the height to which the OPP
position was carried in the late war; the en-
oarrass'nent gave TO the government; the aid
gave TO the enemy. The victory at New Or
| ieaiis, Tor Which we owe SO much to you, and to
t Inc gallant frccrnen who fought under YOU and
Tue honorable peace which took place at that
| time, have checked the opposition, if they have
not overwhelmed it. may add that the daring
measure @! the Hartford Convantion, which UNI
!oiied views which had been long before enter
tanned, but never 50 fully understood, contrihu-
ted, also, in an eminent degree, to i-Iuce the
opposition 10 its present state. II is under such
circumstances that the election CT a successor
to mr.. Madison has taken place, and that Il new
ADMINISTRATION is to commence its service.
The election has been made by the Republican
party, surprising that ii has succeeded, and of
| person known 10 be devoted 10 that cars; How
shall he act' How organize the Admi,.;s,ra
ton, SO far rs depende:.! OH him, when in that
statori? How hll the vacancies cXis.:nr q: the
| time?
| My candid opinion is, that the dangerous p,r-
poses which have adverted to- were never a.
doptcd, II they were known, especially in thci.
full extent, By any large portion Of the fedora
party, but were confined 10 certain leaders, and
they principally to the Eastward. The manly
ana patriotic conduct of great proportion Ct
that party in the other states, might, perhaps,
say, OF all, who had an opportunity of display
ing 1t, IS a convincing proof Of this fact. But
still, Southern AMI Eastern fcderalists lave
been connected together party, have acted
together heretofore, and, although their con-
duct has been different, of late especially, vet
the distinction between republicans aud fede-
| raists, even in the Southern and Middle and
Western States, has not been fully done away
To give effect To free government, and secure
1t from future danger, ought not decided friends
who stood firm in the day of trial, to be pri,:ci-
| Paiiy relied on Would not the association of
any of their opponents in the administration, it
self wound their feelings, or, ct least, of very
many of t5c,n, 10 the injury of the repnb!ica
cause? might ii not be considered, By the 9th
er party, as an offer of compromise with them,
which would lessen the ignominy due to the
counscls which produced Che Hartford Conven-
ton, and thereby have tendency to revive
that party oni;s former principles aIy impress
| sion Isl that the administration should rest,
strongly, on thc'republican party, indulging to-
W. rfl it,a oil nf
| cling desire to. discriminate between its mem
i,ers, and 10 bring the whaic into the republican
fold, as quietly possible. Many men, very
| distinguished for their talents, are of opinion
that the existence Of the federal party is ucces-
sary to keep union and order in the republic
can ranks: that is, that free government can
not existwithout parties. This is not my opinion
That the ancient Republics were always aiyi-
ded into parties that the English government is
maintained by an opposition, by the existence
| OF party IN opposition to the Blinistry-1 well
know. But, think that the cause of these sii-
visions is to be found in certain defects of those
governments, rather than lnhuman natures. that
we have happily avoided those defects in our
system. The first object is, to save tie cause
which can be done by these who are devoted 10
| 1T only, and, of course, by keeping them togc-
ther or, in other words, by not disgusting them,
by hasty an act of iiberility to the other party
thereby breaking the generous spirit Of the re-
publican party, and keeping alive that of the
federal. The second is, to prevent the rc-or
ganization and revival Of the federal party,
/ which, il my hypothesis is true, that the cXis-
tcucc Of party is not necessary to free govern
rncnt, and the other opinion which have adj
yanced is well founded, that the great body of
the federal party are republican, will not be
found impracticabc. To accomplish both OBJ
jects, and thereby exterminate all party diyi-
sons in cur country, and give new strength
and stability to our government, is q great I'M
dertakngss not easily executed. am, never
thc!ess, decidedly ofopinon that ii may be done,
and, should the experiment fall | shall con.
clude that its failure was inputable more TO the
want of correct knowledge of all circur1stan-
ces claiming attention, and of sound Judgment
in the measures adopted, than to any other
cause. | agree, think, perfectly, with you, in
the grand object, that moder alton should be
shcwn TO the federal party, and generous po-
Icy be adopted towards If; the only difference
between us seems to be, how far shall that spi-
Tit be INDUCED in the onset, and it is TO make
you thoroughly acquainted with my views on
this highly important subject that have writ
ten to you so freely on it. OF the gentleman of
whom you have spoken, / think as you do, Of
which gave him proof when in the Depart !
mcnt OF War, by placing him in the Beard of
Officers Gor ii~estiug and reporting system Of
discipline Cor the Army; and, afterwards, by |
ot!:er tokens of confidence and | add, with !
pleasure, sboald be gratiiied, regarding the !
feelings and claims above stated, to find an OPP |
portuuity, at proper time hereafter, should tic |!
event in contemplation occur, to aid other !
proofs of ny good opinion and high respect for !
him.
In tic formation of an administration it APP
pears to inc that the representative principle |
ou@ht to be respected, IN certain degree at