Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-15


by disdsning to follow the example Of some Of the
ing the best men in the land and in lacera,ing prI
vaie feelings, 10 order TO crafty the most rindic.
tive passions of the human heart.
Without further remark, LEI US now call the Mt. |!
,ention OF the reader the able and eloquent ad-
dress adopted by the meeting, and which was pre-
pared by one OF our most intelligent citizens Tne |
address follows, and will speak for itself. Rep
AT called meeting Of the citizens of Petersburg,
at the courthouse OF the said town, on Friday
the 9Th day of March, 1927, SAMUEL WIN.
| free 1.-THE Mayor was called to the Chair, and
WILLIAM CLARKE. appointed Secretary.
Oa motion, the following gentlemen were APP
pointed a committee to report suitable resolutions
for the consideration Of this meeting, viz : Will
am H. Macfarland, Tn: +. Gillian. DanH c.
Butts, Joseph Bragg, John III. Brown. Roger A,
Jones, Edward Pescul, Louis z. Bouldln, Richard
G PBram, aud Otway b. Barraad, who retired
accordingly, and reported the following preamble
a nd resolutions
I To the People of Virginia.
The election of he Chief Magistrate for this
nation. at all times matter of the gravest and
highest Importance, will, at its next recurrence
be possessed of increased interest. Upon il are
staked, not merely which of the opposing con-
struc ions OF the Constitution shall preva nor yet
whether policy, just, equal and open, shall be
pursued; but the great question will be also pre-
sented, whether the elevation of men into power
shall result from the exclusive and spontan eous
act OF the people! The meretrcious appoint
ment oil our present rulers, aud the no less mere
tricious efforts which are employed to continue
the dynasty, have invested the impending Presi-
dental contest with this novel and odious disincs
ton. Let it, then, not be said, that il is prema-
ture to agtate The question, and endeavor TO con
centrate public opinion. II is never too early TO
examine the acts and pre,ensions of public officers
II in rftnoin oG,, .-...l
easy pertlnacity, correspondent with the unsound-
mes, OF their title, may be expected to encourage
4 spirit OF procrastinaton, which would serve to
screen them from exposure, and deprive their
opponents OF the advantages ofunion and concert
But It is not from them, nor their parasites, we
would ask or accept advice; while the voluntary
assembage OF the people for the purpose Of inqui-
~ into the means of redressing their grievances,
Is considered as favorable TO the cause of truth as
It's consistent with the pride and iudep EVIDENCE
OF freemen.
The manner of the election Of our present chief
magistrate, gives him claim whatever upon our
support, 1t it do not furnish objections the most
conclusive and satisfactory against him. His ell
ovation INTO Office, was consistent with the forms
OF The Constitution, but clearly against the man
Hest and declared wishes o.. the people Their
icM was made to WELD to the pleasure of men of
briei authority, whom they had delesated to ac,
In their stead. In short, the incidents Of the
election exhibit instances of the abuse of confidence
and violation of instructions, accompanied bv
appearances OF venality and corruption, which are
happily without example in the pas! history of our
country 1t is notorious, that the highest Office
known 70 The constitution, was conferred upon an
Individual, who was not the choice of the people:
WINE there was in competition another, whose
deeds had nihed him with his coun,ry's fame
anu VINO united TO this title still less liable to ca
wi, the approving voice ofhis ceuntrymen.
hat ob,
abuse OF every republican principle, if no, by cor
ruption, would be made subsidiary to sinister and
selfish purposes Usurpation, whether from i'm,
patience, tindi,y or dePraved intention, has been
rarely, 1t ever known, to take honest counsel. or
70 pursue honest means. And the course of the
present administration has shewn, tha' in our own
government, (bl'herto as remak able for virtue az
tor Its novelty hagious authority can att emp,
any art which may be likely to recommend j, to
indulgence. Powers are claimed; pretens;ons
avowed, and patronage exerted, in such manner
ana OF such degree, that to all il may be known
tnere Is price for the yenal and prescription for
the hrm The sublmated conventions of our Pre-
silent, carry him to sources of obligation higher
| than the Constitutions and in admiration oftrao.-
marine INVENTION he iorgets the just praises of our
people Such Is his attachment to executive nre
roga'ive' that diplomacy, with all its DELAY and
intricacy, IS preferred TO the mere republican ,r
ZION OF the legislature, at the expence of our
~Se anu win the BOND OF our union and
eha'ter OF his powers before him, be has incul-
Gated opinions, which are wholly at variance ,,,;,h
the constitution, and which suit better an absolute
Fflnce, Than the President of these State.
| IL Is dangerous to continue in Office an indvi
dual who obtained his appointment, in violation of
'he popular VIII, and consented 10 divide the dio
hi'y and influence OF his exalted station with the
very man who had been signaly instrun,ental in
accomplishing that result As the former il in
consistent with the genius Of gu poi.i cal insti-
tu'ons so the latter ineconcilab,e with anv inc,
scale OF morality, which, next 10 the Inv of a.
ing "e requires OF us 10 conduct our seiv a. a.
that all candid and impartial meo msy confds in
ths integrity OF our motives. II is dareer,r. N
commune In Office an individual, who has evio.sd
want OF respect for the source of all legitimate
au'hority, oy soiemnly charging the representa-
yves o' me people, that they would rely in vain for
he" Ju'''hcaion upon The VIII of their constituents
III rs dangerous to continue Office an individual
who lends the weight of his official cLaracte,- 80
the establishment of opinions and prineiples which
are incompatible with the constitution. and ,,bich
tend to beget sectional differences the IN ne, in
furious and iBpscable.
IhIs simple statement, for the truth of which
we dare appeal 10 the memory of The whole read
ing community, should, as this meeting humblv
conceives, induce every man who entertaIns an
Unaffected regard for his country, 10 acouisscs in
the necessity OF changing our chief ma sistra,e
oome diversity OF opinion 10 doub, will and msx
properly exist. among those who agree in making
personal attachments subordinate TO their love Of
'he constitution, In settling the solemn and inte
resting inquiry, to which of our distinguished cj-
IDens shaD De ih'rus'ed This most important Officer
nut whatever conflicting opinions there NAV be
upon this subject, they will not arise from anv
difference s,so,f.