Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-10-12


friends in Kentucky, had openly avowet as our
Caucus did here last winter, in relation Mr..
Gailatii, that he was nominated not for his me
rits, but to purchase the vote of his state.
FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL WIG.
UNITED STATES SENATOR.
No. 7.
GENTLEMEN-The death of the celebrated John
Taylor of Caroline has left vacancy III the repre-
sen;ation of Virginia in the Senate of the l. nitsd
States, which it will devolvc tire next 9e,scfal,
Assembly TO supply. AS that. body viii zbacalled
on at anearly day of its session to ciioese Ills Sic
cess"r enquiry into the qualifications and pre-
tensions of the various gentlemen whom the public
voice in different part, of the State ha Nominated
TO succeed him. through the newspapers, may as sist
III directing that judgement, which after the meet
ing OF the Legislature, they will have so little time
10 form. This course is nearly unprecedented in
virginia where all elections have either been
made by party in the Legislature, whose will was
decisive or upon the basis of public opinion either
pre-declared- or well understood The uncertainty
OF pubic opinion III relation to Col. Taylors sue
cessor, and tho doubtful superiority of the numerous
individuals whose names have been successfully
| mentioned as worthy of succeeding him, render
deviation from this course, this time. peculiarly
necessary as under all circumstances it would be
beneficial To the public. These are nv induce
! ments for Introducing all the gentlemen whom
have heard proposed for that distinguished Office, liz
the following brief sketches, hoping that NAV pos
sibly be the humble instrument of awakening fur
ther and ninuter discussion, and remotely Of
ducing to the election of that individual, whoever
he may be, the best qualified represent the great
interests of Virginia in the Federal Senate If NV
remarks partakc of greater freedom than we are ac-
customed To in Virginia, let rejecting persons adj
| mt my apology i'll the Importance of the subject,
and the interest which all have in it. | mean Of
fence to no man.
| LITraEToN WALLER TAzEwEIL.
| is n of in1i in ,I,a
are accustomed on all occasions, to deplorc onr in
tcilectua deterioration, and whose whole socituhc
IS directed To the object of retrieving the ancient su
pcriority of Virginia in the National Councils I'M
PEELED by this wish, they prepared in its accom-
plishment, To sacrifice principles consstencynay the
very object which they profess feel 50 deeply thu.
honor o. interests OF Virginia Provided they can Sc
cure the election of man of talents. one whose
powers OF speech may qualify him shine as a de
batter. and reflect hack ms some of the lus-
tire with which eloqucnce mantlcs the posscssor
they are indifferent To the more important qualifica
TONS OF political attachment.-By who thus
reason MI in2ewc is asserted TO posse IS su,-~.i
or claims; and there consider tioH of hi he
or giaYef moment to direct Il selection. than the a
bility to make fac speech his pretemsions coulr
scarcely he exaggerated by his euloeists But i
would indeed be deplurabie falling of fsom TN,
high and sacred regard to principle, which has allie
, virginia To the steadiness aud magna niny. OF tn
Roman name, could her legislature be Influenced T
abandon their old landma Ks by motive so vain
glorious Inc brightest genius is frequently allie
to the worst qualities, and natures choicest gifts
often associated with characteristics which renhe
them useless destructive to society and TO thei
r poSsessor. Had the people OF the u. States bee
governed solely by d regard To talents, Gen. Arm
strong would, and Mr. Monroe would not hav
been President of the United States-di,l they nov
consult only, the affirmative qualifications of th
asprants TO that high Office, without taking int,
the reckoning, his high-reaChing ambition his de
| for th.
sacred instrument through which the people hav
distributed the various powers with which they hav
phrtcd-Mr. Calhoun would harnonize the SUI
TRACES of the pcupie, as he has in great deg ee
. their opinions Of his extraordinary talents. ThcS
observations are entirely illustrative, and not de
signed by any means to compare Mr. Tazewel
+ with any person else, to- imputc to him my of thu
defects which have consigned the two great mel
namcd the one u oblivion the other TO Il approach
ing expulsion from the government OF his country
For Mr.. TaZcwelrs character man, have tli
highest estecm-for his genius the greatest adinifa
tion--but for his political opinions, neither the on
| or tyc other.
, IL is singular circumstance that whilst i'll tin
, Legislature OF Virginia, Nh Tazcwcl did not pos
scSS the smallest weigh in its deliberations. To
great abilities produced in his example, the same re
, suit, which attend i'll others their total absence
Men listened with the profoundcst pleasure and al
tcntion. The mind delighted to follow him thrOug
the long train of his metaphl steal subtlctics-bu
picking and confusing the question, by his ar,ful so
, phstry in exhibiting the various phases and atti
tudes of abstract aud mmatcria points, by his skill
in Guiding, and 10y his dexterity in shifting PROPOSE
tons. His audience listened with astonishrucn
but not with conviction. They felt as did the Ro
mans towards Carncadcs, when he had successful
rcfritcd his own discourse. They were unwilling {
trust their judgements to an enchantcr, who en-
: ploycd reason to sustan error, and denolishc
= truth with the weapons which God had given t.
protect it. They perceived that
'All was dclusion, noughi was truth"
As far az have understood Mr.. Tazewes pc
litcal sentiments have never been known. Tn
probability is therefore, that he has 7Onc-ihai h
is Republican, as all in christendOm re christian
NOT because we have particular aud cxclusiv
faith, but because live ina christian land, an
8 because neiGhbors, and fathers beiorc Us, wcr
- christians. As this general and indefinite belief
inadequate to save its posScssOr, SO neither should
r RepuJicanism cold e loose, admit its posscssor
tho fellowship of the only true aud orihOdox Repuh
cau ChutCh.--Mr. Tazewell has never condo
scCnded to class himself with the Republican part
--iic has no claims on its affections or confidence
. His course through life has been Epicurcan--hg ha
- lived only for himself his family, aud the iunedai
4 circle of his friends. The few occasions when il
has taken part in public affairs, were when his cor
70 siitucuis required his abilities to accomplish SON
- particular cud. This answered. he retired agai
- 10 his pursuits doubt sufficiently iuicrcstjr
, | to engage all his timc and talents a. me has hC
yer manifested Willingness to rcliupulsh any po
ton nj s time 10 tic service Of his country, the
- is reason 20 think that nc will do so now uic
h the offer may find him in a state Of inactivity.