Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-10-08
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, FQlIDAY, oCTOBER 7s91

lssenvention, composed of men from the d,fierel
counties OF the state, has enjoyed an opportunit
OF ascerfaining the tone Of public opinion. It
arrayed against the faction which has bound Il,
state of New York in iguorninious cilans: II
arrayed against the faction which has duped an
4 deceived her, 1t is reused against the tactic
which opposed and betrayed tue cause, OF ii.
people. IT is ardently then TO be hoped, tin
tho full and decided expression of this opinion
| VIII be manifested at the ballot boxes Ia No
vember next.
I The Convention cannot close this recommeu
dation to the people, without noticing the ca,,di
dates who stand opposed TO the nomination
which has been made.
Flrst.-fhey are candidates of faction
OF n Knot OF men who have separated themseIyc,
from the great body & the interest of the people
&who IN the promotiOno of their selfish u neEarious
schemes, throw off all dependence on the pop,,.
lar Will, and all respect to the Constitution,
What holder and more profligate abuse of now
er could they be guilty of than i'm their defeat o,
the Electoral Bill The passage ofthat bill was
required by the express and almost unanimous
will of the people.
Second.-The one of these candidates is still.
and mas been throughout, an open violent. and
perseyering opposer of the Electoral Bill; whilst
the other, not less unprincipled but with more
OF Jesuits cunning. studies to pursue in this
matter, hali-disguised equivocal course, which
II 1t does not give him positive favor with both
parties, may at least save him from beipp blamed
by either.
Thlrd.-The one of these candidates is ha.
o'.uaity incorporate; scoffer at the christian
religions and though bis talents and official infi1
encc, deplorably successful in communicating
public morals. And is it not more than the mere
misfortune of the other candidate that he is
found in such company>
fourth wv ere the merits and qualifications
OF these candidates quite uuexceptionablc, vet,
the manner in which they are brought before
the pubic. IS conclusive reason against the
support of them. a State Legislative Caucus.
like cnaucus of the National Legislature, is at
war with all the rights and doctrines of demo-
cracy. 1t IS an usurpation which degrades the
people into mere countersigners of their mas
tiers mandates, and cheapens their free and in
telllsent suirages into objects of barter and sor-
did calculation. 1t is an imposing ceremony
got up to drive the great body of the people into
submission to a few, and made efectuaI through
the authority and dreaded prescriptions of those
who o'ficiatc in it, Public opinion will not Der
NIT another Congressional caucus; and NAV no
future members of our State Legislature pre-
sumo to substitute their intrigues and dictations
for the free, spontaneous expressions of the SOW
eign people.
Fellow Citizens,-Other candidates are now
presented to you; not by persons elected to le-
gislate for you but by convention of delerates
coming directly and fresh from yourselves, and
chosen by you for this specific and only pur-
pose The ballot boxes will testify, which You
think the better men, and which the mode of no
mnation most in character with genuine repub-
licansm.
The conduct of the dominant faction in this
state, is SO well understood, and excites such u
UNIVERSAL alarm and indignation, that this Con
Vention deems it superfuous to array before
you the many exciting inducements to an ener-
getIc and faithful discharge of your duty. Suf-
flee 1T to say, that the present is clearly con-
test between the friends ana the foes of demo-
cratic principles; between freemen, who are
determined that freemen shall govern, and a
band of home-tyrants, who are determined to
govern the people. What will be the issue, if
we act unitedly, is not doubtful--but should we
forget that this Is contest for measures, aud
fall into disagreement about men, We shall
not only then fail of success, but we shall richly
deserve the chains and disgrace that are upon
US. JOHN TAYLOR, CH'N.
SAMUEL STEVENS, Sec'y.