Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-29
For THE CoNsrITurioSAI WutG.
TIE TIE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.


The question has been often asked us-apd really
have never seen ii fairly auswered-,vhv we seek to
eject Mr. Adams from Office the end of one term
contrary to the usage established bv Washupton JEFF
crson, Madison and Monroe each of whom ected
for two terms The Inference plainly 10 he drawn
from our violant opposition to AGams,-snce his adj
m'nIstrahon has been conducted in the true spirit Of
MS predecessors, is that e not one of ls-uot a
VIRGINiAN, but YANKEE! Ii this be really the only
ground OF our opposition, ii is far morei dlsIonorablc
to us than to him.
There is no part of the Constitution PERHAPS which
more fully vindICates the wisdom of its authors than
the arrangement of this delicate and difficult suhiec,
II was found by those sagcs that The election of the
resiacnt, WHO by iIs power of appointment TO be
the dispenser of honors and emonncns, would be pro.
dncuVe of consequences dangerous ~ peace and
even to the duration OF free institutions The fern
was therefore properly limited four years. Usace
came IN aid o! the constitutional provision to re eject
Tor second term. While the violence of conIcndino
parties was diminished h. the shortness of the term
prescribed by the constitution and Wholesome ch. elk
reserved to the people against msuc the one hand
on the other the usage established by such high autho-
rity offered every inducernent 20 The individual who
held that eminent station, TO discharge his duties with
iey so as TO merit election; and re election in
such case has seemed 10 follow thing coursc-
The advantage of this is that instead OF one continued
conflict between rival candidates for the office the
public mind Is permitted to settle down in conrosurc
tor eight years aod for that period devote itself 10
the urcgancc OF The business and the interest, of the
nation
Let every mans recollection, and eur history answer
On the contrary, what has already occurred fro,n
the effort pow making to depart from this usage? The
answer To this will be found IN the sad condition of
society as have endeayored family TO depict il in
my Introductory number. Violent excitement BEING
necessary to change thc settled usaccs of country
usages which have been founded in the best feelings
of our nature-thc means OF course, which are re-
sorted to for that end, of the improper and
ndcensible character; and the people become SO ac
customed TO see the plaDes precepts of morality dis
toled and perverted that they last hear without
Indignation tie a"oypal OF the sentiment that ga II.
fair IN potics!-for this has been avowed by some of
the opposition. Nor left 10 the charitable con-
lecture that this is vapouring Not MANY
/ weeks have elapsed since Eoycjgner cherished and
honoured by his adopted country dared before an as
semoy Of the people, IN the presence Of the constituted
Authorities OF one Of the States of this Republic and
1cisOW reJue, 10 declare that The time had arrived
when the South must decide whether TO submit to
oppression or TO separation! In this audacy, we
the sage coupsels of tie Father of his Country set
at nought. lie warned us against the coming OF such
demagOgues, who world seek the accomplishment Of
their own schemes by attempting the disunion of the
States, wall You cling to tue advice of Washington,
or will you follow this disorgauizipg demagogue tho
foreign EXETER Of sectional prejudIces?
But to return 10 old and faithful servant, Mr..
! Adams. What has he done anss, that should
seek 10 degrade him and promote another Our Re.
publican friends Of tie East lebuBe and will,
reason for SelistnCSs and angraikudc They tell
u.s. that when Jefferson and Madison were besct by
CON ooahon, bike that which now exists, TO Obstruct
the sauiary measures Of their administrations, when
some OF the more desperate maicoUtents them
threatened disuDion rather than submit their govern
mens Ney cordially supported our Virginia Presidents
they sustained them with fidelity and ZEAL and wc
passed The pcrous crisis I'D safety. they say U.S.
and they say ruly:--''We, after INDUCING you for
thirty two years out of the brysix since the adop-
lion of the constitution have placed Of our own
citizens in the post of honour, and how have you
treated bin? What return have you made to us for
cordial support of the citizens of your choice.
We speak not of those reckless diSorganzers who fore
tell disu0ioD and rejoice at IFS approach, publicly de-
claring that they prefer George the w TO a Yankee
Presidcnt:-nor of those who proclaim that they will
pay tribute; il is matter OF Indifference to them
whether old or New England shall be orr carriers
But speak Of the unkindDess and hostility of the
great body of your citizens, who, though stopping FAR
short of these extrsvagances. still so far unite with
their authors 10 give them couDteDauce aud support
Had we SO ac,ed-for NC TOO had our derussogues-