Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-10
RICHMOND. JANUARY no I8ai
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

RICHMOND. JANUARY 10 I8el
/ FOR THE ENQUIRER.
Msch having been SAID with regard to
congressional Caucus, and much more witt
regard to recommendation of a Copgr.ssi,p
al famous by the legislature of Virginia in IL,
legislative character, and many views bayins
| oeen taken on both sides Of the question.
nave Thought it might not be entirely unac.
cepiaoe 10 your readers, that the views o
one who has looked with an anxious and a
leaionseye to the interests and happiness al
MS country, and to the honor and glory nf hi.
native state. should be respectfully submitted
through the medium of your paper.
think the question may properly BIZ pre-.
stnted under the two following heads-Isr, the
ooJect and advantage of such n Caucus-9d
the right of the Legislature To recommend A
Caucus 10 the representatives in Congress ol
this state.
There are five candidates already presented
tn the public for the next Presidency: Adams
Crawford, Jackson, Calhoun and CLAY These
are men who all stand high IN the estimation
at their coun'rymen, and deservedly so. Il is
mt the object of the writer of this piece. ia
enter into discussion Of the particular merits
and qualifications of the respective candi-
dates he frankly acknowledges his informa-
t'o'l on the subject of their qualifications has
ar gentlemen, and therefore does not choose
TO make any positive assertions in ref-renc.
to them. From the services of some. he
knows them to be- gentlemen ofvery eminent
talents: This, however. is IA DEPRESSION from
'ne subject originally intended to have been
discussed. Ii Is from these men that we have
10 make selection, and thank God that we
can select from good set. Ii appears to
br yielded ON all hands, that from the resprc-
table support which each candidate will re-
ceive, that no one can obtain a majority of IN.
whole, IN which event the election mus, come
oei"re the House of Representatives. This
Is IA state ut things too well understood, and
700 much deprecated TO require any remarks.
u Is whHt every good citizen, every man who
mas the least regard for the prosperity, pesce
and happiness Of the Union, must wish IN a.
void by all means if possible. How then ,s il
To be done, but hy a Congressional Caucus
IL gentlemen will point out any other mode oi
avoiding IT, viii cheerfully acsuiesce, but 7
Deiie'e they cannot do it. Tennessee i'm her
legislative character, has thought proper To
declare her disapprobatIon of a Caucus. III
am not mistaken, she has called on the leris
lature of Virginia tn unite with her i'm such a
declaration. The subject has already assumed
the form of resolutions, and received their
dea'h stroke, by a majority Of one only-not
withstandlng which, do entreat gentlemen TO
rrneci Wen ON The consequences, and do hope
'na, before Inc termination Ofthe session thew
WIN he "regenerated and born again;" that
ihey may he sustained and buoved up by tn.
generous spirits of Virginia, and that they m.
finally triumphantly live for the REDEMPTION
of the former vote. IL a Congressional eau
Gus IL to be held, there is no necessity for The
interference Of the Legislature, but ain appre-
hensiVe that u other legislatures declare their
opposition TO such course that il will not b..
held unless other states recommend il. vo
use the Language of Mr.. Tyler, 4" let us inyit.
our republican brethren to assemble around
the common table, To offer up mutual preiudi-
ces and partIalties on the altar ofour conntry's
s""o, and 10 pursue tina: course which will
preserve the harmony Of the Union" Let
them act IN concert and unanimity, let them
declare with one voice which of the candi.
dates they will support. IfCrawford. the a.
v"rite of Virginia, cannot be elected, let Vir-
Sioia yield her incnati0ns to the interests al
me common country, and select some other
candidate, but let not the republican party be
spht on so Important a matter. For nv oven
part next to Crawford, | should prefer Cal
noun he Is man who has remained alwaxs
true To his party, he has ne been as a wealth
ercock, shifting and changing his politics with
the wind. BY Congressional Caucus MS
shall have President chosen by maidrir y
nf the people by an election by the House al
Representatives we shall have President cbo.
sen ny the minority of the people, but by a
majority of the states these are the objects
ana advantages OF a CaucIs-and think the
propriety of recommendation.
2ndly. As to the right of the Legislature N
make such recommendation. did not he
lleve at first that il would be seriously insisted
on that the right did not exist: WHY does il
NOT Rave they not right to iegisIate upon
any subject OF such vital importance 10 the
state III rs their duty, their province 10 do so.
w nal VIII be said on their return home ?
gu nave not been a faithful servant-we an
pointed you to represent us, 10 look 10 our
rights, To look to our interests, to guard orr
rights and interests. Have you done it3 Mo-
The Legislature of Tennessee has declared
her dlsapprobation of congressional caucus
DINER states may do the same thing. You
Knew we were DESTROYS of congressional
caucus-we will he deprived of one in conse-
qurnce your refusing to approve oft. Shew
me tne law, or the constitutional section re-
s'raining or prohibiting you from taking such
course We deem IL all-important, and il is
no mailer IT your predecessors did not think il
necessary at former day. That does not
debar us the right at this time.
Now, grant, if these recommendations are
to be viewed in the light of instructions, that
they would be uOwarranted and unconstitu-
uonai, for you have no right to instruct those
whom you do not elect But surely you can
recommend to your own representatives; you
may recommend To- your sister states a con-
gressional CAUCUS, as we'll as you NAV an
alteration IN the constitution of the general
government. Can it be denied that each
and every man IN the state who has a vote,
would have right to recommend TO his
representative IN Congress caucus ? Would
they not have right, then, to instruct their