The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-08-17

wears ilt has tllle1 succeSShtl5, many VI
fees of high trust and responsibility under
The government of the United States, and
tie state nf Massachusetts. An Envoy at
many Of the courts of Europe, aud at
p,li1ds Of great difficulty, hIs situation has
afforded him every opportunity OF acquir
ing familiar knowledge Ut the mutual re
lailons subsisting not between the United
States aud the maritime powers of Europe
mercl5, but the nations OF the whole CIV
liked world. The fruits ofhIs diplomatic
labUrs display profound acquaintance
with principles Of modern displomacy-a
deep aud tenacious regard for the interests
and honor of his county. In the success
sise confidence of Washington, Jefferson,
Madison and Monre, by each of whom he
has been employed in stations OF distiuc
ton and trust, W. possess the best assur
ances of Mr.. Adams virtue, intelligence &
ability. Were the evidences OF Mr. Adams
abilities, republicanism and private worth,
more cguiyocaI than they are, the chasm
of proof would be supplied, aud our own
confidence in his individual purity aud
solid qualifications, justified by the opin
ions aud sagacity Of those great and ex
cellent men. For seventeen years he has
been identified with the Republican party,
and in the Senate of the United States, at
different European courts, in tire mission
which terminated in the treaty of Client,
aud us Secretary of State of the United
States, has manifested Il devoted attach
ment to the principles OF that party, exil
blled talents competent 10 every and To all
the stations, to which he has been called,
aud displayed an energy of character aud
aptitude for business, adequate 10 fulfil the
most laborous duties. In his political at
tachmcnls, III his tried experience, in the
respect and confidence of the first men of
our country, in the acknowledged SPLEEN
dor of his political aud literary attaInments,
we recognize indeed. every qualification
necessary in the fist magistrate of this
great Republic, and 10 guide ils dccelerat
ed march to the first rank among the ma
ions of tire earth. We might safely re
pose the claims of the candidate whom we
lave selected on their inlrInslc superiority
and under government which knows
10 distinction but merit, coniide the sue
,ess OF Our cause to the virtue aud inieil-
,ence Of the American people. But good
IS thai cause is--and much as we trust to
Is excellence, for its 6ual success-it de-
ives from recent events new interest, and
ppcalS for support To the most sacred
principles.
Early III the history Of our government,
custom was introduced, whose evil ten
|ency was apprehended by many, and
,hIch on principle was defended by few.
I WAS justified at first only by necessity,
hough ultimately it has been sanctioned
rom precedent, aud recommended by
uccess. Used at first as an uutrled, but
expcdlent to harmoniZe the con
letting views of members of the same 30
tical party, the caucus threatens al last
D engrait itself permanently on our system
# government, 10 supercede the functions
'f the Constitution, and TO transfer the inn
,ottant power OF elec,ng IA Chief Magis-
rate from the People, to an unconsi,u
iunal and self constituted Junta. In its
pristine aud purrst form, when composed
IF the whole or Il ma ority of that political
party in Congress which FIRST used il, aud
who represented large majority Of the
nation, il was viewed both from It's opera
iou and as being unknown to the Consti-
ution, by many of our wiscst and most
trusted Statesmen, with alarm aud dlstrust.
The recent example of the Congressional
caucus seems to us, while it dwrndcd in
numbers, to be more irauSht with danger
than ar, which preceded it. AT all pre-
ceding caucusscs, a majority ut the Re
publican mcmbers had attended, aud con
Cured IN the chofce--at tins minority OF
that party, consisting OF sixty FIVE mem
bers of Congress out of 2Gi, assumed the
unsolicited task OF nominating President
for the people Of the United States, not
one fourth of whom they nomually repre-
scented. This domination, thus illcgitimate
" made, even upon theyaueus principles,
has been bla2oncd forth as the nomination
of the Republican party, aud all who have
refused to concur ia II, have been deuounc
ed as enemies to the usages and discipline
of the party, aud secedrrs from its prnci-
LISTENING the caucus principle as
dangerous atall times, and under all cir
eumstances-- as wanting ttlc sanction of
the Constitution of the United Stdlts-as
establishing a central Influence. dangerous
to the sovereignty of the States, and the
electoral rights of the peope-and dis
qualifying members of the House of Re
representatives. from the unbiased exercise
of the power of election vested III them IN
the last resort, by the onstliutroG--We
behold the direction OF lis moral influence
10y a small minority. as radically anti re
publican, aud thus deranginS vital prin
cipr of our Insllluiions--N view the at
tempt that has been made to inculcate this
nomination AS the act of the Democratic
party, and To hold Mr.. Craw ford up as the
only Democratic candidate 80 the Presi
dency, as gross attempt To impose upon
the people, and TO stir up their prejudlccs
by the influence of names.
Disappearing in the strongest manner OF
these dangerous aud unfair practices, we
feed ourselves called upon to defeat their
object by all honorable means
/. Resoired, therefore, as the sense of this
meeting, that John Quincy Adams, from
ms age, experience, services, talents and
repuhllcanism, has the strongest claim o.,
the affections of the people, and that we