Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-06-05

States, must expect, after the next election,
that many candidates will be set Up, that the
primary election will rarely be conclusive. 1t will
become matter Of course, for the election to de-
volve on the House of Representatives. Their
Hall, instead OF being seat OF independent le-
gisla,ion will become theatre for e.ciioneeiiug
and in,l que frUio the period of election 10 a
mother. The ambitious who aspire to the
Presidency, will generally be members OF Con-
gress OF the Cabinet, and will have The oppor-
tunty of laying their plans deliberately and puI
ing them peTsev eringiy All the arts of per sona
address, of haterisg attentions and ta,nments
will be resorted TO. The soIdid will hope Tor Office
of profit TO themselves or relations as a reward
for attaching themselves To- the cause of some one
OF these Presidential Candidates. The ambitious
will look Tor promotion and distinction Those
who desrte no appointment for Themselves, will
hope 10 obtain influences In the distribution of
The patronage OF the government, and have IT in
their power to crafty their friends. Seli-love
Will often Disguise even fIom tho parties them
selves the true nature of the influence under which
they act, and the whole circle of interested mo
tive7 Ill have iull scope for action, under the ap-
| paresnce OF desire To serve friends, promote
the interest of their neghborhood, or, PEI hass,
even the interest Of The country at large.
Nor ought we, from false d.licacy to deny the
isci, that high aud respectable a. tie station OF
member OF Congress l., that occasionally men of
| when reflect that the whole number of votes
IL only twenty four that the votes of one or two
individuals, IN consequence oil divisions amongst
the representatives OF large States will often de-
\ eide the vote of those S,ates-and th.t the votes
oil several small States are actually held by lodi,
vidual membeTs-when we reflect further tina;
this highest honour earth Will often rest upon
the decision of some half dozen or even a less mum
| Der oil persons, in a body composed of more than
two hundred members and place before us The fact
that the successful candidate will have the distritu
ton OF wealth and distinction. in the nomination
TO ten thousand various Offices, we must ue,nbe
Tor the liberty OF our country, unless we wiliully
shut our eyes TO all the records of history all the
lessons OF experience, and all the deductions OF
reason. Let it not be raid we dshonour our coun-
try by representing Congtees as liable to corsnu-
! lion
We have just confidence in Congress; ~ be-
lieve the members viTtuous and patriotic as
other mem will go further and admit tina, their
education and characters, AID stations ia fe place
them a much, ii not more, above The reach of i'm
proper influence, as any equal number of their fell
low citizens. 1t is not because they are less vir :
tuous than others, that we look st them with dis
trust, when they come 10 exercise the functions of
electors OF the Chief Magistrate but il is because
they men, and men exposed to the strongest
and most seductive temptations, disguised in IA.
most a!luring and d,lusive FORMS We should be
nt
in truction from the whole history of our race. nav
nsensible 20 the dictates of common sense if ~
SHOULD, from spar ious patriotism or any other mo-
I'VE, give cOsIntenanCe TO the idea, that Compress
IL 50 pure and disiDteTested, and so elevated in
CHARACTER, that the small number of members ne.
cessary TO change the tate of the election may no,
he found, who are liable tn be influenced in ,be
vote they 10 give by personal interest, no; an
preaching in the revolving shape of q direct b,ibe
but in The enticing form of distinction AMONGST
their iello" Citizens and reward for pathetic servl
ces.
So long then the forms Of the constitution. in
relation 10 the elertion of President remain as
they are, the most disastrous consequences will
How from The construction commended for by the
supporters OF MIR. Adams. The most glltterinq
PRIZE that ambition seek, with all lis accom-
panying sIITenents, is every four years to be-
thrown into the rnd't OF two hundred fallible men
10 distract and eNcI:e them men too, who are
cut loose from Ibe Wholesome restraints of safe
construction Of the constitution, which furnishes 4
sure and certain guide for their conduct, ia the
VIE other constituents
d decision under such circumstances " III rarely
II ever inspire the nation with confidence in The
PIesiden,-tbat confidence, which is so necessary
to tue independent and sdiutsry exercise OF the ey
ecUtive authority.
Under Ihio dangerous and anti-rerublicap com
strucilon oi the constitution Justification liz all
temple ed of The fragrant violation of lie snirti
and exhibits IN The strongest point of view, ne.
cesS''y Tor change OF It's forms, which shall place
IT'S principles above all misconsiruction We
earnestly enireal yuu therefore, fellow Citizen
not to 0eiIeve, as those, who bave obtained power
al The expense OF your rights, would persuade YOU
TO DO, that The ensuing Presidential Election is
simple contest between two eminent citizens for
Tue ChIet Magisiracy, ~ which their personal
ne'"s ana past services are alone TO be considered
Gfeat a. they may be esteemed by the friends of
Zen. Jackson and Mr.. Adams Tespec,ivelv. ,bev
are as dust In the balance and dyindle into ut,sr
insignlhcahce, when compared with the Importance
OF the great constitutional principles which arc at
stake. No conflict OF parties since the commence
meni OF our government has involved such vital
interests as are now ia agitation.
It's no. question whether few cents more mr.
less duty upon woolien or cotton manufactures
shall be iInpOsed:-it is not a question. ,vbetbe,
internal Improvement shall be prosecuted under
The authority OF the General Government or aban-
doned as either inexpedient or unconstitutional;
u Is not question:, whether commissioners or
ministers plenPotentiaTy, agents az ALL sbaIl
De sent TO PaBama:-ItI IS not question, whether
The trade with the British West Indey, (important
as II Il to our shipping aud agricultural uteres) has
oeen lost 10y neglect or mismanaceTnent
These questions, interesting as tbev are are
nevertheless OF little consequence co1npared win
those, which you are now called upon To decide
involving as they do the maintenance or surrsnder
OF the fundamental principles Of the constitution.
ard the vital interests of liberty.
The crest questions now in agitation are. whether
The CHIEF mas'sirscy shall be obtained by lnfln
e"ce ana Intrigue, bargain and management" Of. be
awsrdsd 10 mefH and public services by the un-
bought suffrases OF the people, whether the ingn-
encs OF governmental patronage shall su-tain
minority IN power against the will Of the naio,itv
- whether The forms prescribed by The co1stity-