Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-09-01
From The Richmond Ting
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.-No

-
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINiA.-No, V. y
The question has been often asked us-and
really never have Scent, iairiy answered-why
we seek to eiec, Mr.. Adams from Office at the
end of one term, contrary 10 iheusage eslaolsn
ed by Washington, Jefferson, Madison ana
Monroe, each Of whom was elected 'or TWO
terms The inference 100 plainly TO be drawn
from our violent opposition TO Adams,--sinee
his administration has been c2nduetedln lhc
true spirit Of his predecessors, is that ne rs no!
one of us-nol NIReINIAN, bpta fANKEk! II
this be really the only ground ofour uppos'lioh,
it is far more dishonourabe 10 us than TO nm.
There is no par. Of the Constitution, perhaps
which more fully vindicates ihefwsdom OF lis
authors, than the arrangement OF tins delicate
and difficult, subject, 1t was found by those ia-
ecs, that the election OF the President, wholly
his power of appointments was to be the DIS
penscr Of hunors and cmoluments, would be
productive Of consequences dangerous TO our
peace and even 10 ihe duration OF our free lnstl-
buttons. The ,erm@as therefore properly inn
tied to foar yearsa Usage cane in aid Of
The constitutional provision 70 rc-eeetfor a'se
cond term. While the violence of conlending
parties was diminished by the shortness ofthe
Term prescribed by The constitution, and whol-
rule on the one hand, on the othe: the usage es-
,ablished by such high authority otiereGsevery
inducement to hcindividual who held that en-
ineut station, TO discharge his duties with 6deli-
~ so as to merit elections; and reelection in
such case has seemed to follow as thing OF
conrse-The advantage Of this is, mat instead
of one continued conflict between rival candi-
dates for the Office, the public mind is permitted
10 seltie down in composurc Tor eight years,
and COR that period 10 devote ITSELF TO the iur-
thcrance Of the business and The interests Of the
nation.
What has been the pracsieal result Of this
usage? Let every mans recollection, and our
| history, answer. On the contrary, what has al
already occurred from the effort now maklngsto
depart from this usage? The answer to this
will be fouDdin The sad condition Of soci ty as
have endea, ored family to depict i, inmy in
,roluctoiy number. Violent excitement being
necessary 10 change thc settled usagcs ola coun-
ltrr--usages which have been founded IN lLs
ro~rse whief are reS571ed . For TAT end are are
Of the most improper aud inlelenslble charac-
ter and the people become 50 accustomed 10
see The pIaincst prccept, Of mo- ALLY distorted
and perverted, that they Can q last hear with
out Indignation the asoNal of he sentiment
that, q lls fair in poiiics"! for this has been
avowed by some Of tllc opposition. Nor are
we left to The charitable con lecture that This is
a mere yaponrng. Not many weeks have
elapsed since tOfeig7e,, cherished and honor
ed by his adopted country, dared before an as
armb!y OF the people, IN The pfcsCnce Of the con-
sutuied Authorities of one OF the States Of this
Republic, and mifhom Je5ufe, to declare that the
time bad arrived when he south must decide
whether to submit 10 oppre ssion or to SsDcs a
ton! In this andacity, we see thP sage Cou0~
sells Of The Father Of hi, Country SET at nunght.
lie warned Us against The coming Of such dema-
go9ues, who would .sask The accomplishment
Of their own schcmeSsby attempting the dis
union Of the States. AViIl you cling 10 the adj
vice of Washington, 81 will you follow ths dis
organizing dcnagogae, this foreign exeter Of
sectional preiudices?A
But TO return to or old and faithful servant,
Mr.. Adams. Whatfhas. he done amiss, tHat
we should seek TO dAaade him and promote
another? Our Republican Giends OF The East
rebuke US, and with some reason, for our ssel-
fsdnesa and igrohfHfe They tell US, that when
Jeff rson and Madison were beset BY a combi.
nation, like that which, now exists to obstruct
the sa.utary measures Of their administra.
tons, when some OF The more desperate maIcon-
tents then, as now, threatened disunon rather
tnah submit 10 tNelr governments, they corr
daily supported our Virginia Presidents they
sustained them with fidelity and zeal; and we
passed the perllous crisis in safety. They say
to Us; and they say truly: We, after induIging
you for thifw-lwo years out OF the thirly.six
since the adoption Of The constitution, have
placed one of our own citizens in the post of
honour, and no" have you treated him? What
return have you made 10 US for cordial sup
port of the citizens Of your cEoce? We speak
not for those reckless disorganizers who fore
tell disunion and rejoice at its approach, pub
lioly declaring that they prefer George the w.
TO Yankee Presiden:--nor of those who pro- |
claim that they will not pay tribute, it i. |
matter OF indifference 10 them whether Old or |
New England shall be our carriers.-But we
speak Of the unkindness and. hostility Of the
great body of your citizens, who, though stop
ping far short, OF those ex,ravagancies, still so
Tar unite with thety authors as TO give them
ann support. Had-we SO acted
Tor we too had our demagogues-in the days
Of Jefferson and Madison, what would have been
your fate?"
What reply, my fellow Clizens, can we make