Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-20

the cause IN WHICH tiCJ - cg, IsiS.Scu. Luz &c
lieving that the adoption OF the resolution would
be injurious, he was constrained to oppose it.
He said the meeting had already been delayed
to a later periodthan had been usual on former
occasions, and it was of some Importance that
our course conform as nearly as might be to that
which had been heretofore pursued, and which
had led to such suspicious results. 1t had been
found difficult, he said, to make the time perfect
ly acceptable to all. There were gentlemen
who thought, that the meeting ought to have
been called at an earlier period, and there was
certainly great anxiety throughout the country
ON the part of those who were favorable to the
system upon which we were acting, that the de-
csion should be made, to the end, that the true
state of the question might be before the people.
Nothing certainly could be more desirable or
important, than the approving voice of the great
and patriotic state of Pennsylvania, but their
appreciation could be expressed as well and as
efficiently after before the meeting here.
That such expression would be made, he could
not DOUBT, when Inc considered the Republican
character of the state, and the great and pecu-
liar Interest she had in the preservation of the
unity ofthe party. He could not think, that
the judgement ON the question they were about
submitting to thepcoplc, would or ought to be in
huenccd materially by the number of which this
meeting was composed fla large majority of
the republicans OF the United States were in IA
vor of the system of nomination of candidatcs for
President and Vice President, by the republican
iHcn bc;s OF Congress, and that they were, he
could not doubt-hc was fully satisfied that they
would, under existing circumstances, express
their appreciation Of the proceedings of thcmect-
ng He hoped, therefore, That the nomination
would proceed.
Mr.. Van Buren,, of New York, before the
meeting proceeded to ballot for candidate for
D,.r .I.,..A 4
by the Vice President to state to the meeting that
having some II ne since determined to retire from
public life, he wished not to be regarded by his
friends as a candidate for reelection to the Of
ice he now flied. MIR. V. b. further remarked
that, 1t would give him great pleasure, upon this
as upon all suitable occasions, to express his
deep sense of the high claims of thatdstinguished
gentleman to the gratitude of his country. He
was however induced to refrain from doing so at
this time, by conviction that the fidelity with
which the gentleman alluded to had discharged
the duties of his station, the unusual sacrifices
he had made in The public cause, and the emf
nent services he had rendered to his country did
not require to be recalled to the recollection
his fellow citizens.
ADDRESS.
To The Republicans Of the United States
FELLOW CITIZENS: Pursuant to notice. and
conformabie to usage, the Republican Members
OF both Houses of Congress, whose names are
stated to you, have proceeded to recommend
suitable persons to fill the Offices of President and
Vice President of the United States, for the
term ensuing the expiration ofthe present. Ex-
isting circumstances will justify, if they do not
require, brief exposition of the grounds of this
proceeding. In its adoption, and submission to
your consideration, we have acted as members
OF the republican party, pursuing the footsteps
~ those who have gone before us, from the i'm
portant revolution in the politics of the country.
resulting 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 a subject for regret. Others with whom we
wished to associate and unite in measures of con-
citation and concord, have, though respectfully
invited, declined to cooperate with u.s. We
nave been ready, and anxious, in a general
meeting OF all the Republican Members to sub
mt our preferences TO the will of the majority.
Those who differ with us in opinion have refused
their concurrence. 1t is your right, and be-;
comes your duty, to decide between u.s. We
intend no impeachment of the conduct or mo-
yves OF others. We speak for ourselves only,
without affecting to conceal our expectation of
obtaining your approval of the course of pro-
ceedlng we have adopted. 1t is now twenty
four years since the great political revolution to
which we have alluded was effected and the
power which was then acquired by republicans
IN the government of the Union is still retained.
Their enjoyment of this ascendancy has not.
however, been undisturbed; on the contrary
they have had an unwearied struggle to main
tam with the same adversary over whom their
Triumph was achieved. II is not to be doubted
that IL was by union and concert of action that
the strength of the republican party was conso-
re Il.
versy Effected. 1t is as little to be doubted that
1T Is by adherence to the snme principle and DO
icy OF action that its unbroken force and con-
tlnued ascendancy can be preserved. The rea-
sons for adhering to this policy of efficiency and
safety drive, IN our judgement, peculiar force
from the circumstances which characterize tbe
existing period. The correctness of this opini-
on IS demonstrated by a revision of the grounds
which have been assigned for deviation from
that policy. Those grounds we understand to
be, the supposed oblteration of party distnc-
uons, the change of opinion on the subject
which is apprehended to have taken place in the
Republican body, and the inprobabiiity that a
genercl attendance of the Republican members
could be obtained. In relation to the correct
ness OF the first of these grounds, the supposed
obhteration ofparty distinctions, your ability to
decide can derive little aid from any obserya
tons OF ours. That, in some parts of the Union
where the Federal party have always been
weaker and less violent, the fact is, in some de-
gree, as stated, and that, since the late war their
eXertIons have no where been as efficient as for
meriy, we admit But that danger is not to be
aPprehended from this source, in connection
with the pending divisions in the Republican
party, and fine angry dissensions they are likely
to produce. we deny. That our adyersarics
have not lost their disposition TO avail them
selves of those divisions, to regain their ascen-