Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-09-16
VIRGINIA POLITICS.

The following is from the pen of a southern
gentleman d distinguished literary char acier; and
we trust II will be read by our patrons with
much interest as by ourselves;-the subject of the
article is not its only interesting feature, for we
must declare, that the language and style pleases
usss much as that Of any political paper we have
read:l
1.-THE contes. at the next Presidential Election,
should be confined to Mr.. ADAMS and Gen. JACK
SON. my opinion is that Virginia will be pretty near
y equally divided between them. IF it were not
the influence Of the Richmond Enquirer, and
lew OF the most prominent partisans OF exclusive
Southern dominatiop-mostly resident in Rich
mond, but found thinly scattered through every
section of the State--i feel no doubt that large
majority o the population of Virginia would be de-
cidedly in favor of Mr.. ADAMS. The unanbiiious,
independent portion of her citizens, who suic-
lently enlightened to think for themselves, are,
generally, am convinced, satisfied If not pleased,
with the measures Of the existing Administration.
But, unfortunately for the true interests Of the
tloa there prevails organized system OF aristo-
eracy in that State, which measurably forces her
elections IN whatever direction the Richmond Eu-
quirer and its coadutors wish them to move. This
result is efe cted principally through the agency Of
three causes, viz.-the system ofelecton by general
tlcket-the on-exstence OF the ballot box at the
hustngs-and the constitutional disqualification of
large portion of the ost intelligent aud patriotic
Of the community. to cote at all, by reason Of the
freehold tenure Of the right Of suffrage, which still
prevails there, as if to perpetuate the memory Of
her colonial bondage, by the preservation Of this
miserable badge ofaristocratic misrule!
When an election is coming on there for Pres-
dental Electors, the mode Of operation is exhibited
hus-or perhaps it would be more correct to say, is
carried on in the dark, thus The Legislature
being in session, and composed nearly Of men
who have been previously brought there by the act
ion of the Richmond influence, upon few leading
Individuals subject TO its control, in each county,
where the mass of the voters never dream of what
is going on-a secret caucus or two is held by the
prime movers, who are perfectly conversant with
the kind Of materials upon which they have to ope-
rate in the Legislature-a few of the members OF
which constitute portion of these nocturnal con-
claves. At these, the individuals who are to form
the electoral organs of the peoples WILL selected
and the whole machine for elevatiug them to the
desired stations, is planned and in part constructed
A"Central Committee of Correspondence" con-
stuting the great wheel OF the fabric, is made out
of the Richmond materials; minor committees,
formed of suitable materials in the different coun.
ties compose the system Of liHle wheels, on which
the primary one is to act. This arrangement-all
things having been previously .fred to effect the
~. ot; .y;,b r.
pposition-receives the sanction of General Cau-
Gus OF the Assembly, and the whole machine glides
into operation smoothly, and silently, and as eff
caciousy for the purpose for which it is intended,
its self-suicient organizers could possibly DESIRE
The general ticke!," made up Of men, (uot
known by one in five hundred of the persons who
vote for them) who have been previously consulted
and have promised TO vote for the favorite cand-
date, is carried in majority, fnot all Of the coun
ties, with ease, through the facilities Afforded by the
discipline which the subcommittee, and their
agents. have exercised upon the ireehoders, and by
means OF the rira mode Of voting. To govern.
the vote Of the eeholders, some terror breathing,
cabalsc theme is invented, and through the instru-
mentality Of few appropriate phrases, such for in
stance as State Rights Consolidston, Splendid Ma
tional Government, Unlimited Construction. Gen.
eral Welfare, &c. sc. the fears and Prejudices Of
the voter. are reused to the desired pitch OF excite
ment--and to avoid boundess taxation, and inextri-
cable ruin, they support the ticket which, accord
ing to the cant of their rers, is TO effect their po
litical salvsbonI