Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-13
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA., FRIDAY, AUGUST 49, ts24
WEsrMORELAND ADDRESS.
(CONCLUDED.)

| ton, because we know many of them to be ex-
cellcnt citizens and actuated by good motives !:
but we also know that good motives have paved
| many dangerous road. In republics we should
look to consequences, and not suffer the adop-
ton OF a mischcvious custom because il NAV
happen to have been exercised in one or two
occasions with impunity. The same system
which invested an Augustus and Traian with
power transmitted it to Nero aud a Doniii-
an.
| we are constantly told it is true that the peo-
pie are not obliged to submit. No, Fellow CT
| tizens, nor were the people of France obliged
to submit to the Legislative tyrannies which no.
minated their Robespierres. But the force of
example and the dread of deuunciation ruled
| them as absolutely as the bayonets of an army
and we all know that many, very many of our
own citizens, have submitted against their iudr-
ments tothe Caucus 1t might be well there
tore for all of us to mark the gradual march of
Presidential Caucuscs from humble suggestion
! to prescriptive dictation. AT first they were
the modest meetings of the whole Republican
party to counterfeit the influence of tile Fede-
ralists. Now when ali'the candidates are Re
publicans, they are the partial meetings of a
minority to force a majority into acquiescencc
with their desires and what is more strange,
already have former examples (although en-
tirely dissimiar) been appealedto as prccedents
to sanction this. 1t is always thus in cncroach-
ments on the pure administration of govern
nent. The first step is seemingly equitable &
unalarming; and is afterwards appealed to- to
Justify second. Tue Stamp act and Tea Tax
were not very important in themselves, but had
they been acquiesed in, where would have been
the liberties of America to-day For these rea-
sons, Fellow Citizens, we hunbly conceive the
purity of future elections AMI the continuance
oftiie union of these States, To depend on the
ultimate decision Of this question for if the
people now submit, they may be considered
hereafter as having abdicated the right of free
choice.
We have already suggested that present APP
pearances justify the belief that the final con-
test for the Presidency will be between Mr.. A
dams and Gen. jackson, and that if you perse-
we're in supporting Mr.. Crawford, you will car
ry the election To the House of Represeniatives
! Of the "a votes which must there decide the
election, between the three highest candidates
the most sanguine frienls of MIR. Crawford can
only calculate on five, viz; Georgia, North Ca
roiina, Virginia, Delaware and New York. 1t
should be remembered that majority ofthe Re-
personalities of but three States attended the
Caucus, and that it is therefore conceding a
moot point to allow him the vote of Delaware
and New York, since it is generally believed
the formerwill, in the electoral college, vote for
Nr. Adams, and the latter likewise, in the G.
vent of the election being given to the People
OF that State What chance or probability
then is there of Mr.. Crawford getting I3 States
in the House of Representatives. And is il not
admitted by even the widest conjecturers, that
he has no chance of being elected by the cleo
| toral colleges? One hundred and thrty-one
votes are there necessary to elect, and the votes
of the only three certain States for Mr.. Cra.y-
| ford only amount Al, SO that giving him the
doubtful36 votes of New York he would have
but 83,'which is 48 less than bare majority.
m hat nf,Ft
his most enthusiastic friends cherish the hope
of acquiring this addition to his strength.
| a republican President can only be elected
by our cooperating with the Republicans of
the other States and do we not, by resolving
never to yield to the desires of those who have
so frequently yielded TO ours, run the risk OF
exciting irreconcilable sectional divisions And
who is VIM. III. Crawford that we should suffer
a personal attachment to him ian attachment
which has grown up in great degree during
the last year, to render SO reckless Of ma
tiona consequences in supporting him. He
was a most respectable Senator of the United
States, and Minister to France during one or
| two years-Secretary of War for short period
since the peace, and Secretary of the Treasury
under Mr.. Monroe. Heis man of good ia
Tents, and we rejoice thathe has been able TO
viniicate his integrity, and to show that his mo-
tyesin those mysterious transactions of the Trca-
sury which threatened to throw cloud over his
reputation, were good. We should also rejoice
hear OF the restoration of his health, in order
that our country might enjoy the benefit of his
services in whatever station she may please to
place him. But we humbIy conceive that a
station inferior to that of President would be an
ample reward for any services he has hitherto
rendered; AMI the circumstance of his being
supported by the opponents of our present ven
Eerable Chief Magistrate, would be powerful
objection TO hmswitli us, even if we thought
differently. Many of his friends are intelligent
and patriotic citizens we admit, but do we not
| find him supported also by all the rancorousiy
violent and intoerant politicians of both the old
| parties--the Ultra Fcderalists and the Ultra
| Democrats We know not indeed how to ac-
count for tbs strange coalition, unless what the
father ofmodern philosophy says be true, that
| factions men when checked in their desires
:" become secretly discomfort, aud look upon
men and matters with an evil eye, and are best
pleased when things go backwards"
| There is another objection which weighs bea-
| Willy with us, the inscparable connection of MIR.
| Gallatin with Mr.. Crawford; do VIC know
| why the former gentleman was selected, unless
as bait to Pennsylvania, where events have
shewn he had no influence. Is it possible that
he coud have been thought the second choice Of
| the America people, with the strong probabili-
| ty of becoming the first2 The ration may be
| disposed toforgct that his name was (justy or
unjustly) connected with tie Only insurrectiol
| which ever occurred 10 our country, or that he
! disapproyed of Ifamilton's system of finance
when out of power, and adopted il whilst in but
can the Republican party forget that ut the de-