Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-06-22
THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

to-day has been transmitted 10 ms, in the print
ed form, in which il has been very generally
circulated for the last week, with Il request
that, IL there be nothing in il incompatible with
the cause ne advocate, we win copy IT. We
do SD with the same frankn.ss which induces
US 10 present few of the reflections which the
perusal of il gave rise to.
This article is entitled to be considered as
the act of Mr.. Clay's friends, we have ND
doubt. l, indicates their policy, and holds
forth seductive arguments to rally those
friends of Mr.. Clay who were supposed to be
wavering in their adhesion to his cause.
The facts which it presents are slightly
tinged with the color Of the wishes 0fthe wri
ter, but, we believe, are in the main correct,
except with reference to the support which is
| assigned To the regularly nominated candidate
In this contest, It is well understood that, with
all the respect which they profess for Mr..
Crawford, the friends Of each of the other
candidates for the Presidency are more desir-
ons to derogate from his strength, than from
that of either of the Others. This is not onl,
polite, but it is also natural. To undprrate a
mans strength, is to lessen It. To feel appre-
henson of it, is to desire to see it lessened.-
Blu, neither our feelings nor our wishes can al
ter the facts Mr.. Craw ford we undertake TO saw
is the preference of decidedly larger portion
| of the reading and rejecting part of the People
| of the United States, than any other candidate.
He is, moreover, the Candidate who has been
unanimously nominated at Meeting regular
~ convened, though not fully attended, of the
Republican Members of Congress, who have
the best possible opportunities of Judging of
the qualifications and popularity Of the seve-
raj candidates. He is the only one of the
candidates. it will be acknowledged by all
persons who have information on the subject
who has the least prospect of an election to
The Presidency by the electoral colleges. fla
choice be made by the Electors, it will Ger
tanly fall on Mr.. CRAwFoRD, if all the candi-
dates live, as we trust they will, TO share the
suifragss of the People. If choice be- not
made by the Electors, Mr.. CRAwFoRp will
come highest on the list into the House of
Representatives, in which case, without taking
account of the individual sentiments of the
Members, we should suppose it would be al
most "A matter of course that the choice by
that House will devolve on hlm-the calcula-
tions of the Friends of Mr.. CLAY" TO the
contrary notwithstanding.
These suggestions, as far as they embrace
facts, are undeniablr, unless by those who are
ready to deny or say any thing, as it may serve
their purposes. As far as they are matter Of
opinion, they are the dictates Of our deliberate
Judgment. The bias of our sentiments on this
question is well known. We consider Mr..
Crawford the candidate, in preference ID every
other that could be named. because, at the
close of the period of ten years, preceding, fol-
lowing, and Including the late war with Great
Britain, during which period every public man
was tried as with the fire, he was considered
by the Republicans, without exception. AS the
only competitor with the last OF the Revolu-
tionaIy sages for the highest office in the Go
vernmen. The Worthy of the Revolution
was preferred to him, by the Elders and the
People, aud, IN Our opinion, for sound and pat
riotic reasons. An attempt was made by some
of the personal friends of Mr.. G.. and by 9th
ers who were opposed to any candidate APP
proved by the majority of the Republicans, 10
array him against that candidate. MIR. Craw-
ford refused 10 be the instrument Of distraction
TO the party. In doing so, he acquired addi-
uonal respect, and became entitled, upon eve
~ principle of justice, according TO our view
OF the matter. to the support of the Republic
cans OF the United States, for the first vacancy
in the Presidential Chair, unless b, some act
of his own he should have forfeited his claim
to their esteem. He has been guiItySof no
such act. Prosecuted for the stern virtues of
his character, his character has defed his as
sai'ans. He stands before the world an ex-
ample of the invulnerablity ofthe man Of per-
feet integrity of heart and of fearless indepen-
dence in the discharge of public dulles.
When, therefore, we favor the claims of Mr..
Crawford on the public favor, we do il with
out any reference whatever TO the claims of his
competitors. 1t is not necessary TO examine
their merits, because il is not from contrast
that we have preference for Mr.. Craw furd.-
Our political preference of him is positive and
exclusive. We have always been disposed To
give Just credit TO each of the other Candidates.
We do so from inclination and from feeling
l.. 4
same, because nothing is to be- gained, in our
view of Mr.. Craw rord's claims, by different
course and, because, to make enemies is not
the way TO gain friends" The friends of
Mr.. Clay" will perceive we are quite as can
d'd. on this occasion, as they have been. We
have, indeed, neither motive nor desire for
conccalnient OF our sentiments on this subject.
Though our convictions on this subject are
thus clear, and our faith thus strong, as we
have stated them, we have never troubled our
readers with predictions of the success of tn
Nomination of Mr.. Crawford. II is pre cisey
because OF the cearncss and strength of our
convictions, that we have not felt the necessi-
ty of being very cIamorous about them We
have never said, that Mr.. Crawford will he
elected but, if the principle which lies AT the
foundation of our government, and of all free
governments, prevails we have not shadow
OF doubt that he will be. We refer of course
to the principle which bestows Office on him
who, IN the mode pointed out by the organic
law, receives the suffrages Oft greater number
Than any other. THIS is absolutely the prin-
c'ple which decides I'LL popular elections in ev-
cry State, Sonih of Connecticut, and, lift were
engraiied on our general government, no well
informed man would pretend to doubt for
moment that Mr.. Crawford would be elected
yhe Electors. lie may he SO elected, as il is.
h.an nf bpc -