Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-08-25

to avow and acknowledged you are already tn
testify from your knowledge of the means by which
have obtained your favor, that no views of
| selt-aggrandzement could ever tempt me to do q
dishonorable act-to avow opinion which d.,
not entertain, a sentiment which do not fee, 7
may confidently appeal TO you to refute the slande
rous impu,ation of " factious opposition ;" which
the mercenary hirelings of power have attempted to
aiiN upon me.
There is no part OF the compliment which Won
nave been pleased TO bes,ow upon my public clac
acter, more highly appreciate than that which a.
scribes TO me the merit Of political consistency
If there is any thing belonging TO my public char
ac'er OF which AN really proud. i is the unde-
Waiting consistency with which have adhered tn
my political principles. Amids, all the shiftinr,
scenes and changing phases of the times 1 have
never changed my political principles, and thank
200 Tor the consciousaess-the proud consoling
consciousness which man neither give nor take
away that am governed by such motives as rem.
der 1t impossible that should be inconsistent
Politicians who regard political life as mere
scramble for power and Office, may consistently
with their character and objects, lay down & pict
UP their political principles they form and dis
solve their political connexions with every change
of the Moon. We have unfoi tunately too manv
examples of such politicians, some of them him
in office, and sincerely hope that the con,aeion
OF their examples may not be among the evils re-
sultng from their elevation.
Inc cohsisteh' pursuit oil those great fundamen-
tai principles which have always regarded 8. Iy;n,
at the foundation of our liberties and "a b.in. ..
sen'ial to their preservation and purity has brourbt
me into collision with the only two organic Ell mar
Ties that have existed in this country since l. enter
ed upon the stage of public life. was opnoaef
10 the caucus precisely for The same reasons that
ain opposed TO the coalition. The caucn.
was system by which the power of electinp the
President was in effect taken from the people and
vested in the politicians of the country The
candidate who by intrigue or management or what
ever other means might be most efficient could in
duce any number OF the members of Congress-
however small, TO make nomination in the name
OF the republican party, was, agreeably to the
principles assumed by the last caucus entitled IN
the support OF that party, the regularly nomin,
ted candidate The inevitable result of this system
would have been, not only to substitute CONGRESS,
but small party in Congress, for the peoDle in
the election OF the chief magistrate. ! oppose this
system zealonsy aud decidedly, believing as sim
ceTely did, and still do, tina, il would have prac,i
cally changed the republican form OF our govern
nent.
Both Mr.. = dams and Mr.. Clay co-opera.ed in
opposing the caucus. but how sincere their oppo..
'ion was, and how far they governed by prin--
ciple, the practical commentary of their subsequent
conduct will satisfactorily show
Having defeated the caucus nomina,io, nrof.s.
sedly upon principle, they Immediately formed a
coalition, and after having denounced'it as DANCE
rous 10 the purity and freedom of the Republic for
congress TO give an mpul-e to public opinion by
nomination, they forthwith Induced a minority of
Congress boldly 10 set at defiance the ascertaned
Will OF the nation thus clearly demonstrating that
they were opposed to the caucus merely because i,
was an instrument which they could not make sui
serveat to their own purposes
The occasion demands that should saw few
words on the subject of the freedom of debate and
the strong effort by the administration to de-
stToy II entirely Cur two great securities against
the encroachDent Of executive power an,,the st.,l
more inidious entertainments of executive ccrrun.
ton, the freedom of the press and the Eeeloy,
of debate in Congress
The present administration by the Use of =
species OF patronage that ought 10 have been
placed in the hands of the ex ecuiye and bv other
Indirect modes OF Influence, have Obtained very
general coh'Fon! over The presses of the country;
so that II may be asserted general truth in re-
ferenceio the approaching election tha, majority
OF the people are IN favor Of General Jackson and
! majority oi ne presses in favour OF MIR. Adams
! II under these circumstances the administration
could destroy the freedom Of debate By systematic
denuncia'ion OF those members of Congress whom
they Cannot purchase, and who have the boldness
TO expose their mai rAcices, they would have no
sort OF difficulty In ccnsunulaing the very worst
OF their purposes. That they have tas eodea-
vored to drive liberty from her very last en,rencb
inent; unhesi,alingly assert, and have q right
TO assert II, because II Is partly in my person that
they have attempted 10 give the fatal blow.
Never was there more infamous system Of mis-
representation than that which was carried on dur
ing the lasi session Of Congress. There was .
complete conspiracy between anonymous letter
writers at Washington, and the scurilous editors
with whom they correspondent, TO fores;sll public
opinion by The grossest carcatures Of the debates
in congress- IN order TO postrste those who expose
the character and course of the administration
lot oci. s.f,ft1I L..
at this moment, if an authentic report of my con-
GLIDING speech the proposition amend the Con
stitu.ion, had not beeo presented TO the public2
hesitate not 10 believe that my character and repu-
tatIon would have been utterly prosirated and that
too BY tie TisIepre senfaions u speech in which
defy tie sevcrest critic TO point out single sen
tence that violates either the dignity or tie deco
rum OF parliamentary discuss oil, or " hat is more
important, the truth OF history.
t. need scarcely say to those who surround me,
lha; having commenced the great work Of reform
ns The constitution in part that is radically
detective, that our liberties must be lost Il correc-
i've be not applied, shall persevere in the same
course that J have heretofore pursued. Candor
however requires that should say, that have no
hope Of succeeding in tie proposed amendment
1 while the present administration continue in pow
r er, and this furnishes strong additional motive, ii
any additional motive could be required for tina,
change OF dynasty, which have the fullest conf
dence will be made by the people Of the United
States in 1920. No proposition Of amendment
eau pass Congress without ic concurrence of two
thirds Of both branches, aud every man who keow.
a any thing o! tie influence Of which every admin.
! istrauon cen exercise over such body, must be
sat'shci Tint The present administration, long