Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-08-03
THE ADDRESS.

~ " ll4N Ia \
THE ADDRESS.
Feilow-C,fizsns.
We are at length enabled ~ present to
you an electoral ticket pledged 10 lhe sup>
port OF eneral Jackson and Mr.. Calhoun,
for the two highest Offices in the gift OF the
nation. Had the election been permitted
TO take its natural course, and the differ
ent candidates been presented 10 you,
simply On the grounds OF their relative me-
rits, We should have been contented to
rest the claim of the distinguished citizens
whose cause We advocate. on their past
services, their superior talents. their un-
questionable integrity, and the general
correctness OF their political principles.
But an attempt has been made to give a
new character to the election An indi-
vI6ual, certainly not superior to his com.
petitors. either ia the qualities of his heart,
or in the endowm ents of bis mind, has
been held up 10 you as the exclusively re.
publican and national candidate; and the
popular forms of party usage have been
prostituted ior his support, under circum-
stances and With solemnlty calculated TO
mislead the public mind.
We teel ourselves constrained there fore.
TO invite your attention to the real princI.
pies of those who have assumed this i'm
posing attitude; and while we warn you OF
the dangerous tendency OF the means by
which they have sought 10 insnuale them.
selves into your confidence, 10 shew you,
that the system of administration, of which
they are the ayowed advocates, would be
wholly Incompatible with the general in.
terests aud permanent welfare OF the ma,
ton.
Without stopping TO inquire how far the
attempt to influence the public mind. on
the subject OF the presidential election by
a congressional caucus, is in accordance
with the spirit and avowed intention OF
that provision of The constitution which
excludes from the electoral colleges mem
bers VI the national Legislature, we feel
ourselves constrained TO reprobate IN the
strongest terms, the efforts which has been
made by small minority OF the represeh-
tatives of the people, 10 secure the govern
ment in the hands OF themselves ami their
adherents, 10 the exclusion, not only OF
those TO whom they profess to be opposed,
but OF large majority OF those also with
whom they profess TO act. Whatever
grounds of justification may have been as
sumed in favor of the caucus system, as il
has hitherto existed, would be wholly in
applicable with il 10 the shape in which il
is now presented to you While controlled
by majority OF those whose sentiments it
professedto represent; while II sought on
ly to unite the members OF the party tor
whose benefit 1t was intended; and above
all, while it modestly assumed its proper
station in the rear of public opinion lit
was dangerous only from the abuse 10
which subsequent events have sdewn it 10
be liable. But now. for the first time since
the organization of the government, ii has
assumed boIder tone Designating the
wishes OF large majority OF the party,
from whose name j: seeks to derive its
imposing influence, sowing dlSsentions IN
the very ranks which it declares itself IN
tended TO unite; and above all, assuming
10 itself the high prerogative OF giving div
reCtIon 10 public sentiment, 1t becomes an
instrument in the hands OF UnCbastened
ambition, dangerous alike TO tie purity OF
our elections, and the stability OF our go.
yernment.
Against such system, fellow-ciizens,
We would awaken all your jealousies; and
we have very little doubt, that when its
principles shall be completely developed,
! 1t will meet wiki an opposition from you as
vigorous, as your power 10 destroy 1t is
complete. Nor are we alarmed by The eff
tort which is making to impose its adhe-
rents on you as the legitimate and excla.
siye representatives Of the most popular
party in the nation. A recurrence to the
history of the times W. show that the
greater portion of The members of the laie
congressional caucus have been the only
uniform opponents OF republican adm
nistEation, elected by the almost unaEi-