Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-16

Il
1t not be said, that the people, previous to the
'S"ng Canvass were unenlightened on the subject,
ana mat TINS change of opinion is to bs ascrbed To
the ght winch public discussion has shed upon the
SUBJECT. Nothing has transpired to impair MIR.
ADAMS previous standing, to elevate the rela-
u'e merits OIL MIR. Crawford. On the contrary, the
supporters oil MIR. Adams have triumphed with rea-
son. IN the complete prostra ton of his diabocol
sailantS, Russell and Smythe, and il the new cvi-
oence which his contest with these gentlemen fur
nished OF his political consistency and his yre,, Ia
Tents The whole Union has awarded him an homo
Naoe victory and consigned his adversares to me-
rted disgrace. Why is it, them that this gentleman
whose CLAIMS previous to the commencement of the
PRESIDENTIAL campa ign deemed unriyal,cd even
III 'irgna, has since that epoch su,ta med a di,ninu
non OF MS popularity 1t Is because his opponent
mas oeen taken up as sectional candidate: because
Tie Prtde OF Virginia has been appealed to i'm sun
port Oh native citizcn and her prjudices s oppo-
Siton to Yankee. 1t has bceu in va lin objected to
inns reasoning that it is destructive to the principle
oil union, because if admitted it would exclude one
fourth OF the Union from its benefits: that it was
inlocrai, because the same argumet had been and
dressed to the northern parts OF the Union by do
signing men, against Virginia Presidents and with
OUT elect. Those who capable of employing
such an argument destitute of enlarged views on
the interests OF the Union, and generosity of sent
meut, and consequently impervious to the ac-
cess oil more liberal and expanded opinions They
nave persevercd in dinging into the peoples ears
that str. Adams was Yankee, and Mr. Crawford
Virsinan; and many gentlemen whose candor
Predomihates over their good sense, have boldly
rested their rejection of the one and adoption of the
other, on this broad-bottomed basis.
But we rejoice to see that there is a Reaction
commencing i'll Virginia, rather that the friends
Oh T. Adams, are beginning to discover their own
stree 9Th, and that they have an equal claim 10
express ',eir opinion, with the partzans of the
o'ner candidates. From various parts of the State
from the counties around Norfolk, from several d;
recty south of this place, from the neigiborhood If
Abingdon, Staunton, Winchester and Lyuchbura we
nave assurances that Mr.. Adams popularity is adj
Vancng. We cxhort his friends every where to nrc
serve theH commence III his ultimate success, and
10 make Tree use OF the invnciblc argumente upon
which his claims to the Presidency are founded
ms long and severe eXperence-the confidence of
Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, so frequently and
unreservediy reposed in him-thc great abili
ties, winch even his enemies acknowledge him to
possess, and his attachment to the interests and in
stltutions OF his country, eXempi6ed i'm his whole
proic career, in the unaffected simplicity of his
private department., and in the whole tenor of his
declared opinions. If any other Argument is wan
ting, 1t Is furnished by his unexccptionable con-
duct pending this contest. His enemies inveterato
and rancor"us as they are, have not charged him
with single intrigue--with the bartering of sim
gle ofiice-with the smallest abuse of his official
patronage. Whilst the other candidates have been
oolstered up by active partizans on the floor of
Congress- by bold and daring factions in the States
to which they respectively belong, and by partial
and got up meetings who have affected to speak the
voice of the people, Mr.. Adams has pursued the
even and dignifed tenor of his way, posing his
claims on the notoriety of his merits trusting to
the people alone for their reward-IIis most un-
compromising enemy has canddly and honoura-
bly, said, shat Mr.. Adams pursued his interest
with some address, but with perfect candor and
fairness this be said of ALL or any other of
the candidates? The friends of Jackson, of Craw
ford, OF Clay, those gentlemen in person, have put
In requisitlon every stsatagem ofhectorng, intrigue
ing disappearing and exaggerating, which their
genius could devise to carry their election. Mo-
dest and unassuming merit, was once honoured and
rewarded in Virginia-the dsinterested honour
which disdained 10 be advanced by electioneering
articles, was once admired and appauded in the
Old Domnion-we hope the modesty Of Cato is
not to be Sighted to reward the turbulent ambition
of a Manlius or Catiline.