Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-10

or did 1t not show dissatisfaction with the treaty
oy winch we acquired Florida, and incline to
favour tue French king sextravagant interpreta-
"oos Oh tue treaty of louisiana, after il had hecn
triumphantly refuted by Mr.. Adams Did II
not recently attempt 10 reject the convention
i1r tie iinai and effectual suppression of the
save trade, established upon our own terms.
recurring the trade To be made piracy. " and i'm
iuihlnent OF a resolution almost unanimous Of
the House OF Representatives n and did it not
expect, by its rejection to paralyze the O. arm of
the executive in all tue other negotiations in
which 1t Is engaged with Great Brtain?n We
do not mean to say, that Mr.. Crawford sancti-
ons all these proceedings Of the radical party,
but only that this party supports MIR. Crawford
and do we not find the acknow ledeemcnt of
this in the eiectioneering address attributed to
MIR. Gallatin When this opposition was first
formed, 1T had no leader of sufficient talents and
popularity TO enlist certain newspapers ON its
sue, The secretary of state in consequence of
the large space he filled, in the eyes of the natl
on, might have been preferred but for his in
flexible devotion TO the principles Of the
present administration, his adherence of all
rancourous intolerance, and bus unyiellingness
OF character, which prevented any hope of
bending him to their purposes. There might
have been a monentary acknowledgements Mr.
Clay, and some ears ago ii was imagined this
swarm from the republican live would settle
impossible for him to conciliate the soatlsern
states, and his subsequent career las accustomed
an lrreconcile',b.e alseEat,oit from him. Mr.
Lown.fes, Mr.. Calhoun, and General Jackson
may have been looked at, but their hearts. "a
well as their heads, were with the present adj
minntration.- MIR. Crawford beng man of
good talents, and great personal popularity, was
desirable acquisition, but he did not suit them
exactly, they feared they might not be able
TO control him. A choice, however, was ~
cessary, and as he was strong In the south and
had many friends in Congress he was selected
This point being settled, the first thing ne.
cessary for the accomplishment OF their object,
was to break down the Hercules in the State
Department. As the probable support of Mr.
Crawford would be in the southern Atlantic
States, and as the Northern and middle wi,h
out the Western States, would not be MAORI
~ IN favor of Mr.-Aams, il was requisite to o.
verthrow him III the Western Country. And
was 1t not exnltingly imagined that the Dumb.
cate attack of AIR. Russell wouTI effect that OBJ
jcct? The wave however met rock and its
recoil swept away the aggrcssor. When Mr..
Adams demonstrated that the fisheries were of
Importance to us, but the right of navigating
the mississippi of none to the British, because
no part of it reached las they imagined i. didl
their territories, his reasoning satisfied all un-
pre}udiced men, and was confirmed by the sur
render OF that right afterwards by the British
without an equivalent. The agitation of the
question therefore put the mental superiority
and diplomatic skill of Mr.. Adams in higher
relief. ard did not gain vote for MIR. Crawford.
although 1T may have tended to raise up the
western candidates. Great alarm existed after
this victory lest Mr.. Adams should get the vote
OF Virginia. 1t was consequently necessary as
the Mississippi scheme had failed) TO hunt up
some objections to weaken his popularity here
and accordingly the mlIsty records, and journals
and pamphlets of the last 80 or 40 wears, were
rnininaged over, to furnish out an indictment n
gainst him. And did not Cen Smvthe sound his
buglc and bring them all forward in tremendou.
military array? single shot however from
the constitutional battery Of the Secretary, put
all to flight Even his best friends were sur
frised at IFS irresistible force. and all that his
opponents could say. was that il seemed too well
calculated " ior the MERIDIAN OF Virginia. One
more attack indeed and the victory wond have
been complete; but as he was invulnerablc it
was determined to attack him no more. Anat-
tempt toconcllate him accordingly ens;led He
was invited last winter by Mr. Crawford,
friends to accept Of the Vice Presidency aud
thus secure their future support, even if MIR.
Crawiord's health shoul enable him t. discharge
the duties of the higher Office. Mr.. Adams
promptly rejected this oiTt.r not because II was
promoting Mr.. Crawford over him but because
he would have no Office by bargain ANA sale
and because, ii the principles and measures
which he approved, were those Of the American
people, he would be elected President; if they
were not, some other individual would be cho
sen, and he could wish no Office in dischareino
the duties of which, the dictates of his IN
were rot 10 be in harmony with The
wishes Of the nation.
The friends of Mr.. Crawford now beoap tn
despair OF success unless some impression might
be made ON the people by a caucus nomination.
as the supporters of the present administration.
although forming but one party, were divided
hrtween Mr.. Adams, Gen. Jackson, Mr.. CLAW
and MIR. Calhoun, it was imagined that Mr..
Crawford would, (by having all the votes of the
and ms personal friends) have pIu
raIity, and thus the caucus principle of the
plurality governing the whole meeting, get what
would be called its unanimous vote By this
the government party would have
been oVerthrown, and the will of the great mao-
rlty OF the nation controlled by the minority.-
w hen IT was Clearly ascertained however, that
only about one-fourth of Congress would sane |
hon this proceeding, the project might bay, |
been relinqnished if it had not been imagined
hat the name of the thing would go as far as the
reality.
No pains have been spared, Fellow Citizens.
throughout our country TO confound caucus of
,1e'nbers OF Congress for the nomination of a |
Prcstdent, with common caucuses for the pro |
per objects oflegislative deliberation--to fix =
question OF poi!cy-to prevent unnecessary |
in debate, to select an officer
whom the nominating body has right to elect. |
Ii the latter be Iustiflable ON the score Of expe-
iiency, the former have only to be understood |
% be condemned. There really appear to us, |
whilst we preserve our present constitution of
government, three unansw cradle objections TO