Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-01-14
AFFAIRS OF THE STATES

/ and spirited proceedings of the friends orJMP 'f
cams IN New jersey, in reference to the -,n,. -.
"' s''' III 'he great election pending before the
'f"uSe oi Representatives. We bcliev, M I,,,,,
existed bcioic. ;h"t the vote OF New 10 .s.,, Co.,,
cure Tor M.. Anams"-ti,a result of the Ei,c,,r.I
elcc'"m IN the Fail" displayed a decided putnIi,y,
VI ' fep'e IN MS favor, ani presume tl,a, Is
the Representatives of the State feel n,d.r ,r,-
obligation follow the ientiing . thc;r r,,,;,,%
uey VIII vote Ter that candidate who has the most
u't""S' 'nn NOT Tor the Que who hath CHANGED to.
OBTAIN the Electoral votes. We give extracts be-
low from this pamphlet.
~, - resolved, as The opinion OF the rncctiner
mat The true principles OF our government ~
not be better explained than By tint s,trt;,,
winch DIRECTS all ITS powers aud operations. o,,5S
'"at Whatever freedom of choice is thereby sol
cu,cu 10 tne people or their representatives If
is Their right and their duly to exercise honcslv
and independently.
| '2. Resolved, That iii the opinion of ,,b;o
meeting, MIR. ADAMS is the choice of ,he P,onI,
! OF Ncw-Jerscy for the next Presidency; and even
| u nc DE or nol. that there has been no sucb do
IDEA expression OF opinion in favor of another :
candidate, as should control the vote of orr re-
representatives. on that subject
D. he'oNcd, That this meeting feel it their
""'y 10 project their representatives from at
'e'ipls al intimidation on this important Question
ana VIII support them Tar as we are able. in n
urn ana honest cndcayour TO make such an an
Po!n''ieii' as, according 10 their best iudp:rnen,
VIII most correspond with the honor aud interests
Of the nation. e'''
neso resolutions were unanimously adopted.
ana afterwards signed By twenty three members
oil The Legislature, and a multitude of otbcr
pcrsons.n
The address drafted by this meeting To ,bo;r pt.
personalities in Congress, sound aud iudoions
construction oi Inc Constitution, and a, rational
| exposition "i the duty of the Rep,c sentative In
reply to the absurd positions of the partizans IF
/
Presidency from having obtained pEtyolitu of The
Electoral votes, the address uses this iorcbe
ihg--which we arc perhaps the more pleased with
as 1t sustans opinions which have been advanced
in this paper.
'ihis great charter of our rights was ostab-
iished by the people ofthe United States under
the auspices of the immortal Washington and
MS INDUSTRIOUS compatrlOts. lis great intention
as we read IN MS ownemphatc language was sin
ORDER to form more perfect union stablisb ms
'ice' ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the
common defence, promote the general welfare
and secure the blessings of liberty, These ,n[.,
interesting objects however can only he effected
| oy scrurulous conformity in all proper casae
10 the letter and spirit of that instrument
" men reierence-is made to it in relation to the,
present subject, we see that OH opening the Ger.
uhcates and counting the votes if if sI,ould on
pear that no candidate have a majority of the
whole number of the votes of the clectors o,no;,
Ell, That then s Stsrh case from The ,crsons bav
/ ing The highest numbers, not excecdino three
on The list OF those voted for rs President. the
House OF Representatives shall immediately
c, Dose, by bai'e', tie President From this
clause II Is plain that the House of Represcn,a
yves hace discretion vested in them TO choose
tor President any one of the three bioliest of
'hose presented to them by the electors You
gentlemen, possessing by the express Terms Of
the constitution the right of free choice a,oouO
three cdndtddteS we protest against the indeco
rum OF any other body Of men COW ennr in the
primary assemblies ofthe people, and atfemntipo-
! to restIle your vote t0ene.
"Hear the doctrine advanced by those who
are STRIVING to deprive YOU of this most imnor
tant right granted TO you by the people, when.
| they established the constitutions The persons
Composing the meeting to which we allude tell
you plainly, that they will consider 'any repre-
S; alive OF the people who omits to vote, for q
particular candidate by them named, sas m
"a t:fW to the high trust reposed in him. we
40 soienniy protest against such principles and
such language, approaching to an interference
IN great national concern, in a style of
menace unwarranted by the terms of the federal
chai Ter ana OF very dangerous precedent AS
weilnnght the members of that meeting. on the
abstract principle that the people are the source
and fountain of all power, proceed to Washing
ton and ctdiG The Gerry seats loh!ch alou occ,.1,,,
on ne floor IF Congress, as to impose on Won an
obligation to register their mandat les and to de-
/ PTiVe yOn OF right secured TO Won bv the
| solemn and positive terms of the constitution.
| as well might 1T be pretended that the peopIe
| had a right directly 10 choose the President
without the medium Of electors, or with canal
! proprIety might any other absurdity. directly
tending 10 all arbitrary destruction Oft this esfna-
| Die charter OF our rights and Liberties, be ms
tined. BE assured, gentlemen that this z NOT
Inc language of the great and sound mass of fbe.
| people OF New-Jersey, ,ehose rfpubLcnnis,, is
me reDa6fic"Aism Of tie constitution. Toit thev
VIII cling as TO the ark Of their political safety
which has sheltered themselves and their fathers
from many dangers, and which they regard as
the foundation OF their security. We do there
tore most earnestly insist that you can faithfully
discharg' The high trust reposed in you, orl, by
the selection OF such candidate arnoup those
presented to your choice, whether he have more
orte'ce1 electoral roteS, in your Judgment will
most ehectually promote the public welfare.
"lt is not to be doubted that the trainers of
THIS celebrated system, men so characterized for
logical precision and sagaCity, had an important
view of public policy in each and every clause
OF 1t. They were not men to use uurneanino,
phrases, or such as would inset any thing void.
suPeriluops or Insignificant. They uudoubtedly
intended to give effect to every distinct part.-
We trust therefore you i'll consider the election
Which you are to make solemn duty to be
exercised by an dpPeat to your ol0n ltn eyne1tc,
unfet cred by the ties with which Those who
would dictate your conduct appear 70 wish you
bound. 1t is indeed, not little ext aordinsrv
that such positive language TO the public fuuC-
t'onaries should now be a sumed by men vyho If
their own repeated discourses and writings at no
remote period can be credited, have on this very
a. Il