Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-06

to power, profitei by the occasion, aud embrace
ing in their scheme the perpetual control Of the
general ticket, collected in bodies noxious and
dark.-Members of Congress with the object,
but without the courage, of conspirators, assem-
blcd in caucus, and false to the public and to
their duty, abusing power, while they evaded
responsibility, turned against the constitution
the very influence it had conferred on them; and
the highest office in the gift of the people was
bestowed without their consent.
That at first their inclinations were satisfied
has been since made prctext for continuing,
aud is now made the cause for colsummatine
the usurpatom, for out-caucusing caucus, for at
tempting to impose upon the nation President
and President, persons nominated not on
ly without the CONSENT of the people, but in ,ii-
rect opposition To the declared will of MAORI
ty of their represcntatives-thus, outraging the
constitution, insulting the people, and debasing
the office.
As reptiles increase in venom, i'm proportion
as they decrease in strength, the last caucus
was by far the viicst. This monster, without
heart brains, was composed of members i'll
dvdually harmless, but collectively horrible.
small portion, one-fouth, ofthe numbers, and
a smaller portion of the talents of Congress, in
defiance of the declared opposition of their bre-
tlrcn, proclaimed MIR. Crawford as the next
President, and the same farcical audacity allot-
ted the Vice Presidency to Mr.. Gallatn. The
more numerous and enlightened part of Congress
frowned on the proceeding, and the nation itself
was indignant.
To mistake desperate enterprises for great
ones, is the misfortune of little minds. Ii was
plain to every man of penetration in the conn
try, that the members of the last caucus were
deudcd by concerning that sort of equivocal re-
putaton, which is biennally compounded of
official Importance and personal rncdiocrity, to
4.
and it was perceived, that while this delusion
lasted, the srnallness of their numbers, instead
of inspiring them with dlidcnce, had tcnden-
cy to increase their temerity, each mans par
ticular share of patronage would augment in
inverse proportion to the multitude of claimants
and the chances for the high prizes of Office be
increased, as the number of tickets i'm the eau
Gus lottery was diminished. The lawless pro-
ccedings ofihesc infatuated members, ended in
the depression Of their candidates and their own
discredt. 1t found they had attempted To
elevate a man, defective in health. not eminent
for services or talents, whose character, on a
level with their own, did not soar above the re-
gion of conventicles, and whose chief popuiari-
ty was among the creatures Ofthe Treasury.
Tosustan their doubtful sceptre in event of
demise or disability, gentleman offorcign birth
and alien inCIInations was selected, who sigma
Iiszed his early allegiance to our republic, by
joining formidable nsurrection against its laws
| and at the same time COMMUNICATED his attach
ment to caucusses, by acting as secretary To
meeting of revoltcrs; against the fair and ma
jestic administration of Washington. This err
ror, by the help of little Swiss gloss was over
looked Or forgiven; and Mr.. Gallatin manac-
ed our small revenue with adequate .!ity;
through long course of peace and ecouomy.
At the approach ofdilficulty however, he retired
with appointments of dignity to his native con-
tinent, and passed III the most luxurious capi-
tails of Europe, and inthe society of Kings and
Mobiles, the entire season of ournationaI danger
our military struggles and financial distress
Embued with the spirit Of modern philosophy
he is fond of ease and not averse to office, and
patriot back to our land-to the enjoyment of an
ample fortune, and the embraces of pitiful eau
Gus.
Such, fellow-citiZens, are the proceedings, by
which your most important rights, your highest
privileges are usurped; and such the character
and qualifications of the men you are directed
to prefer TO Jackson aud Calhoun; 10 the vigo-
rous offspring Of our own dear soil TO a Hero,
enlightened by the mind of a Statesman, and a
statesman, animated by the soul of hero, to
men who saved, and who adorn our country.
From the contagious nature of mischief, and
the active influence Of bad examples, the cen
trail cnucuses have always been attended, by pro-
vincial satellites. These subsidiary convent
Giles, from the first, were nearly contempt
bic as pernicious. In most of the states they
have been exploded by the force of public OPT
Mon but to our misfortune, and fellow-citizens,
OF Virginia-organized, active, and nsolent.
10 be continued.
WASHINGTON. AUruSt 4.