Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-12-04
ooMMTUM1cATrows.
FOR TIE E,ArDUT

FOR TIE Eng LIRER.
Al meeting OF about three hundred of the citi-
zshs OF w sshngton county, convened al the Court.
house pursuant to previous notice, Gen. Francis
Preston was called to the Chair and John III Full
ton appointed Secretary.
Tie oblect of the meeting having been explained
by the Chair, 1t was unanimously agreed that She
following gentlemen, to wit: Andrew Russeii Pc
iss Z. Johnston, Edward Campbell, Jobn II Full
.on, Peter j. Branch, William BysIs, Samuel Lo>
gan, Henry Dixon, David Campbell, Francis
Smith and Samuel f.. Goodson should be appojpt
81 committee 10 perare report expressive of
the views Of this mseiIng upon the Presidential
question.
The said committee after retiring some time,
returned and reported the following preamble and
scso'utions, which were adopted without dissent.
ing voice:
The citizens OF Washington county regard the
pFesent crisis in public affairs with snxious solicit
eide. The great question is now on trial, whether
the Federal Executive is TO rule the people, or the
people to rule their servants. The issue will
determine the strength and value of our free insti-
tuuons. Theirwhole fabric rests on the purity Of
our elections. and The responsibility of our public
So wants. The last Presidential election in which
two OF the candidates, forgetting in favor Of their
polite alliance all their past variances, "ioned
their interests" and defeated the known wishes O
majority OF the electors of the Union, was sig
nal instance OF the violation Of the purity of cleo.
u6n. Those who violated the FIRST of these great
principles, have since that time continually been
endeayoring to subyefi the last. The President as
ii sensible ina, he owed his elevation 10 disregard
Of this principle, did not hesitate 10 declare in his
first message, ''that the representative ought not
10 be psisied by the will Of his constituents" AL
most ever since that memorable declaration, the
chief members Of the federal executive have been
more attentive TO secure the continuance of their
power than 10 the performance Of the important
trusts committed TO their care. Instead of doine
the will OF the people, they have been exciting ali
the patronage OF the government 10 effect change
oil thai VIII, and 10 bend the people to their own
wishes. Foreign negotiations affecting in a most
Important degree the commercial prosperity of the
cotfnuy have been suffered 10 languish from, neg
feet, whilst the great officers Of state deserti1o
theH public duties al the Capitol, have STONED
from their high place 10 play the pairy arts OF In
tfigoe aoiong The people The leaders OF their par
~ in Congress, not hssiiang TO adopt the odiou.
expedicnl, 'to divide that they may conquer, -
and hoping to buy up the north with the plumber
fle south, have revived anew Tie most dangerous
OF eli distinctions; have attempted to array the
north against the south The zee states against fe
slave states; and have lighted The torch OF the
woollens I'LL, 10 kiAdle the Whole country into >
llme. when ihsse efforts have fesulie ed in merits
ed dlsappoinnent-when he great states of New
York and PeansylyaEis have rejected the profFsred
bfIbe - when the people Of Kentucky have given
up their INV orthJ syofi,e desperate a,tenIpt IL
made al last on Virginia, Vnginis the land Of
stern, undertaking republicanism; on virginia fbs
Erofi.s e whose sl,Ys isoor orr arricri gre wee