Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-09-01
SUnrCeBfer:
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER I, 1924

CAUCUS Is. THE PEOPLE. There neverhas,
since the adoption Of the federal constitution,
been contest which was more clearly one of
principle, than is that ofthe pending presiden-
tal election. 1t is not, indeed, question
whether federalist or democrat shall ad-
minister our government, it is one of far great
er moment, and one in which the preservation
Of the purity Of our republican institutions, is
deeply involved. Ifthe qualifications of VIM.
H. Crawford were far greater than they are.
yea if they were equal to those Of any other
candidate, still We should look upon his cleo
ton as one Of the greatest political evils that
could befal our much loved country. We
should so esteem it, because we should con-
slider it the triumph of faction over the peo-
pie, and of intrigue and deception over hon
esty and truth and because it would confirm
the principle, that the nomination of person,
who otherwise could obtain no efficient sup
port, by few of his adherents in Congress,
shall be equivalent to an election.
It is in the latter view of the subject that
his election is most deeply to be deprecated.
Let this principle be once sanctioned, when it
is contested on principle, as 1t now is, and our
boastcd elective franchise becomes an absolute
mockery, farce to gull the people, for the
benefit of the unprincipled and ambitious. By
that means the source Of power, instead of re-
naming, as it ever should, in the people, be-
comes vested in a portion of the members Of
Congress, who may always put the presidency
on sale, to him who will offer them the best
terms for it.
The hopes of the Crawfordites have, from
first to last, rested, not on the unbiased will
Of the people, but on their adroitncss at in
trigue and corruption, and on that principle
they have managed from the time of the prof.
fered coalition with Adams, down to the I'M
prlncipled usurpation of the majority of the
Senate of New York. How little do they ap-
pear to know Of the feelings of true patriotism,
thus eloquently expressed by the editor of the
Richmond (Va.) Wbig.
"We envy not Mr.. Crawford the fatal tri-
umph" which his partisans have obtained over
the constitutional rights of the people of New
York We have always supported, and shall
continue to sustain the pretensions Of Mr.. Adj
ams--but if he could not be elected without
nflicting deadly and mortal wound upon the
liberties of the American nation. perish-for.
ever perish the brightest hopes and expccta-
lions Of his lrends-perish the recollection OF
his distinguished services for thirty years o
his ardent devotion TO the interest and wei.
fare, and prosperity of his country, May his
Senius-his splendid abilities--his profound
political knowledge-hs unblemishcd char.
acter-and his sterling integrity-be buried in
the deepest obscurity, of private life-or even
in the tomb--crc he should be elevated to the
Presidential Chair, by the least-the slightest
infringement Of the civil or political privileges
ot'his tellow-citizens-or by any other means
than the free, uninfueuced-unoi biased suffrage
ofaa enlightened nation!"