Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-02-19

tno purpose OF UciuS 'e'o S
legislatures for concurrence. No mode
could have been adopted better devised
to ascertain the stale of public seoti-
ment, 1t 10 known that those resolu.
lions have been acted upon by the Le'
gislatures of Maine, New York, Firsl.
mia, Georgia, North Carolina, Rhode
Island, Pennsylvania and Indiana;
which states arc entitled to one hund-
red and forty.six out Of the tDo h""d'
red and sirty one ootes to be given IN
the United States. BY the republican
member. of the Legislatures Of the four
states first named, and entitled to see
vsnty.eight votes, resolutions have been
passed, with great unanlmity, apProv-
ing. 10 the war mest terms, such meet
ing as has been held. 10 the remain
Ing states mentioned, the resolutions OF
Tennessee have been postponed, IN
some instances, indefinitely, and in o.
theirs disposed ofin manner eVinc've
of a determination not to act upon
them. In no state, except Maryland,
entitled to ! | votes, has there been an ex-
preston Of concurrence, by the LegisIa.
ture in the views of the Legislature OF
Tennessee. In 5. Carolina, entitled to
the same numoer Of votes, one branch
of the Legislature, in opposition 10 the
opinion Of the other, has expressed such
concurrence. Nor have the members
of the Legislature Of any state, in their
individual capacity, expressed similar
views. From reference to these facts,
we feel authorized 10 the belief that q
large majority Of the Republicans of
the Union have desired and expected
the adoption Of the course which, IN.
der the influence Of those impressions,
we have felt it our duty to pursue. On
the remaining subject of review we
have a word only to offer. The cir.
cums,ance of the absence of so many
Republicans from our meeting has al.
ready been stated as subject for re-
gret. 1t is neither our privilege nor
disposition to exercise any right OF
iud gment on their conduct. We have
been uniform in the expression OF our
readiness to abide by the sentiment OF
a general convention of our Republican
brethren, and to renounes our Predllec-
tions in obedience to its award. Varl.
Gus causes have combined to reduce
the number Of those who have attend
cd. Several who were friendly to the
candidates nominated, had objections,
which they conceived to be founded in
principle; other circumstances have 60.
operated. Without OBTAINING you by
an enumeration, we content ourselves
with a reference to the striking fact.
that although tho states Of New York,
Virginia, and Maine have, with unusual
uuanimity, recommended to their mem.
bers, 10 express terms, to attend this
meeting, only thirty.four persona have
represented the sixty.nine votes to
which they will be entitled in the elec'
tion.
We will not attempt to conceal the
anxiety with whichjwe are impressed
by the present conjuncture. 70 our
minds, the course of recent events points
to the entire dismemberment OF the
party to which it is our pride to be at
tached. The admission unreservedly
made, that, on the question Of the ex.
pediency Of q convention, the entire a.
| malgama,ion of parties has been assum'
ed is, of itself, sufficient ground of 90.
licitude. Other considerations justify
apprehensions of the same character.
The injurious consequences likely TO
be produced by departure, at this
time, from the ancient usages Of the
party, will not be confined to the ele c.
ton Of President and Vice President
Exertions are every whore making, 10
break up the entire System OF conven.
tons for the nomination of candidates,
in reference to state az we'll as federal
elections. 1t is submitted, then, whe.
Their an abandonment of the practice
here will not involve the ultimate pros.
tration of the system wherever it pre-
walls, aud with it the securities of the
republican ascsndancy. II is from an
app ehsnsion OF such results, in the g.
vent OF the aban donment of established
principles, and of the usage Of tho par
ty, that we have adopted the proceed.
logs now submitted to your considera-
lion. The question is, in our best
judgment, one touching the dismember-
msnt or preservation Of the party
This quesi ion it is your province to de-
eide. The office we have sought to
discharge has been to place the subject
before you for this decision. The limits
allotted to this address will not permi,
Us to dwell on the many and pressing
considerations of a more general nature,
urging to union among republicans,
with view to the decision Of the ap.
preaching election Of the first officers