Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-02

But we have no good reason to think, that she
is in i:lvor Of Cfawford-nay, that two at least
of the candidates, Clay and Adams, arc more
popular with the Legislature and the people
than he. But if N. York was clearly for MIR.
Crawford, this with the assistance of Virginia
Georgia, N. Carolina, Delaware and part of
Maryland, all that his friends have ever claim
ed for him, could by no means elect him. If all
his supposed friends therefore remain true, he
VIII sun want thirty votes TO give him a maiori-
" OF eiectoIs-and If he goes before the House
OF Representatives, Judging from the same ann,
and the states which attended the late caucns
he will stand still less chance there. In the
great uncertainty which hangs over the pres;-
Dental election, two facts seem to me tn b,ve
acquired the force of certainty-irst tina, Mr.,
Crawford, cannot be elected, and SECONDLY. th,t
Clay, Adams or Jackson, toM be elected
whist therefore, would wish to see Virginia
still cling 10 Crawford, as long as there was a
nope OF his success, would provide for con-
tingency, which must in all probability happen.
VIZ that to give him the vote of this State
would be to neutIalize her influence in Yhe
election. .4micus Crawford, an,icus caucus
sea- nadgis amicus Tirginia. If I have suc
ceeded in establishing my premises, or even in
proving that the events to which they refer, are
probable IN themselves, ought not something TO
De done, TO guard against the happening of So
great misfortune To Virginia, as the loss of her.
| influence in the election and 10 the JJn;on- .s
| the election of Jackson or Clinton, to the Presi
dency?
II TINS be admitted, the next enquiry is, how
| Is tle desired result to be effected? 1.-THE cleo
torai ticket already nominated and recomnende,
TO Virginia, be elected without any preyious
| manifestation of public opinion OH this subject
they VIII OF course under the honorary and ca,
cred pledge, which they have given the state
by conserving to act rs electors, feel themselves
destitute of discretion, and bound ,1nder anv
state OF things to vote for Mr.. Crawford. thoupb
IL shouid DC certain at the time, that he would
receive only the vote of Virginia. The pconIe
have right to instruct and to inyes, Them wifi,
discretion to give the vote of the state. accord
| ing to circumstances. But how IS il poss;ble IN
draw those instructions from the people What
rule can be adopted, to move the unw;old,
mass, to act with the necessary concert, II
lsimpracticabe. Onthe other hand, it is eoual.
~ clear that the Legislature has no ,5rbf to
instruct. That would indeed be an usurpation
anu would prove as abortivc, as unjust. The
electors as faithful men to theirtrust which ,r,.
delegated to them from the people, would disc
oey any such authority. 1tappears to me, that
| there are but two practicable modes of atta;n;no
an end, which sincerely and honestly conside,
| OF more consequence to Virginia, than any stem
she has yet taken in this election. submit
these with great defrence to the Legislature
happy If should be the humble instrument Of
directing their attention to this important sub
lect-1nore important than the election of any
individual, as it will secure the weight of Yiro;r
Ia as 1T has always been, undivided.
One of two expedents unquestionablv xon,d
endo1v the electors with the discretion. which r.
Is defect IN our law, that they do not already
possess. The Legislature have no right to in.
| st'fIct them but they can by the same rule of me-
cesslty, which authorizes a caucus. ,.ecou,nc,,J
to them, to abandon Mr. Crawford. if il
should appear that his prospects were homeless.
and vote for the man who in their opinion Tor
inns might De expressed by the meInbers) Vir-
gInla would next prefer-If this was acouiesce,f
IN, by the people--if in the interval between the
recommendation, and the election, OF at the
election itself:-they did not dsapproYe of such
recommendation, then the electors yould feel
themselves at liberty to vote according to cir,
cumstances-and then turn up what mrht the
| weight OF Virginia would be felt III the election
Should the members oftbe Legislature be un-
wiling to incur the responsibility of this course.
| they might the other expedent. invite the
people at the October election of electors, to ex
press their second preference, and make it the
duty OF the sherifis, to return such vote. duly
certified to the central committee in Richmond.
/ The will of the people SO declared. wouId he
sufficient authority to the electors to act as nr,,
dence and safety might require, and sufficient
indication OF the second choice of the people.
Let it aforementioned, that unless one of those
cxpedients be putin force by the members of
the present General Assembly, that it will he
too late at the next session to attempt it. The
electors will then be chosen-by consentine to
act, they will have given the most solemn Of all
pledges to support Mr.. Crawford pledge
winch they can only redeem, by voting for him
at all hazards and under all circumstances
Anxious as his friends are for his election. they
certainly would not desire to sustain homeless
conflict, at the expence of Virginia and the
Onon-Nirginia though she cannot elect Mr..
Crawford might yet be Instrumental in choosing
Clay or Adams. She would prefer the election
OF either OF them, to that of Jackson or Calhoun.
1T could not be considered an abandonment of
MIR. Crawford, to declare a determination not
10 vote for him, when there was not a remain
ing chance of electiDg him. That gentleman
as magnanimous and disnterested Patriot.
Wonid himself approve of such course With
ont ITS adoption, the vote of Virginia is inevila-
bly, lost-she herself thrown into a minoritv-
and in all probability, General Jackson elected
President of the u. States.
ANTI JACKEON.
To The Editors of the Constitutional ItyJje