Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-02-19
ADDRESS,.

FELLuw CITIZENS: Pursuant to no.
tice. and comfortable to usage, the
Republican, Members of both Houses
Of Congress, whose names are statedto
YOU, have proceeded to recommend
suitab Q persona to fill the oftiees OF
President and Vice President OF the U
nj; cd States, for the term ensuing the
expiration Of the present. Existing
circu instances will justify. if they do
not require, a brief exposition Of the
grounds OF this proceeding. In its a.
doption. and submission to your con-
q iteration. we have acted as mem.
bsrs of the republican party, pursuing
the footsteps OF those VINO nave gone
before US, from the important revolu-
tion in the politics Of the country, res
sul,ing in the choice of Mr.. Jefferson, to
the period Of the first election of the
present Chief Magistrate. That this
course has not been sanctioned by all
our republican colleagues, is subject
for regret. Others, with whom we
wished to accociate and unite In mea-
,ures of cancellation and concord, have,
though respectfully invited. declined
to eo.opercle with us. We have been
ready, and anxious, 10 a general meet.
ing oil all tie Republican members, to
submit our preferences to the will OF
the majority. Those who differ with
us in opinion have refused their concur
reuce. IL is your right, and becomes
your duty, to decide between Us. We
intend no impeachment Of the conduct
o. motives of others. We speak for
ourselves only, without affecting to con-
csal our expectation Of obtaining your
approval OF the course of proceeding we
have adopted. 1t 10 now twenty four
years since the great political revolu-
ton to which we have alluded was eff
fected, and the power which was then
acquired by republicans in the govern.
ment of the Union is still retained
Their enjoyment Of this ascendancy
has not, however, been undisturSed
on the contrary, they have had an IN
wearied struggle to maintain with the
same adversary over whom their trl-
umph was achieved. 1t is not to be
doubted that it was by union and con-
cert of action that the strength OF the
republican party was consolidated, and
its success in the decisive controversy
effected. 1t 10 as little to be doubted.
that it 10 by adherence to the same
principle and policy Of action that its
unbroken force and continued ascen.
dancy can be preserved. The reasons
for adhering to this policy ofleffiicency
and safety derive, in our judgment, Pc.
oul,ar force from the circumstances
which characterize the existing period.
The correctness of this opinion 10 de-
monstratedb by revision of the grounds
which have been assigned for devia-
ton from that policy. Those grounds
we understand to be, the supposed OBJ
liberation Of party distinction, the
change of opinion on the subject, which
10 apprehended to have taken place in
the Republican body, and the improba>
bility that . general attendance of the
Republican members could be obtain.
cd. In relation to the correctness Of
the first of these grounds, the supposed
ooiiteration of party distinctions, your
ability 70 decide can derive little aid
from any observations Of ours. That,
in some parts of the Union. where tho
Federal party have always been weak
or aud less violent, the fact lie, in some
degree, as stated, and that, since the
late war, their exertions have no whore
been as efficient as formerly, We admit.
But that dangeris not to be apprehend-
ed from this source, in connection with
the pei ding divisions in the Republican
parry, aud the angry dissentions they
are likely to engender, we deny. That
our adversaries have not lost their dis
position to avail themselves OF those di.
visions, to regain their ascendancy, is
confirmed by q reference to tho past,
and ought not to be doubted. There Is
not an instance to be found in the histo-
~ of the politics Of the different states,
for the last twenty years, in which So
rious and continued divisions among
Republicans have not led to tempo.
rary success of their opponents. The
same cause will produce more extend
ed effect on larger scale Of operations,
and, we are persuaded, that II calcula-
tions. OF a different result, will, 10 the
end, deceive and disappoint those who
shall be 80 indiscree, as to indulge them.
As it respects the supposed change of
sentiment among the Republicans of
the Union. on tho question Of the mt
ness OF conventions Of this character,
the proceedings of the last twelve
months have strongly impressed our
minds with a different conclusion -
Heretofore conventions Of the Repubh.