Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-10-06
aud adopted by Tue meeting with only ono Jisseutiug

Town of fredericksburg. who are opposed IN the e,ec
lion OF General A Jackson as the next President OF
the United States being DESTROYS, that our own votes
aud those of our fellow citizens who think and act witt,
us NAV be distinctly and efficiently given at the al
preaching ITesidehlal eleCton-and considering that
Tie mode adopted heretofore nj Richmond, of nomina
u"g electors of President and Vice President of the
United States by the members of the General Assem-
oy VINO are not elected by tue people for that object
is unequal and unauthorized and in these respects
aes the principles CT free election and full
uon te oasis OF free government conceive il be
the duty rs II is unques,onaby tie right of the peo-
pie TO taae INTO their own hands the exercise of pow
or intended be secured them by the cous,itu-
on, and OF which they viii otherwise virtually be de-
prved
In coming 10 thi conclusion we mean 10 minute no
oane TO those who have heretofore united in the mode
Oh nominating Electors which we reprobate. So long
as ihe'e was little difference Of opinion to The quail
ications OF the person persons for whom the
OF Virginia 10 he given 10 fill the high and respon-
sib!e offices in question, ii Of little Importance
what mode the Electors of the Stale were nominated,
II the principle OF the Electoral Law, commonly called
the General Ticket Law, complied with. That
principle gives 10 Virginia her undivided weight in the
election of President and Vice President aud is
tended TO be departed from.
But new and unlooked-!or state Of things is brought
upon US. The people of Virginia much divided on
question which has distracted all the free Republics
that have per shed before The question is whether
Military Chiettain who, ii is admitted, has added 10 tile
honour and giury OF his country in the field of battle
without the possession ct single qualcati either
OF temper, of habit of Information, for the high res
ponsibe and arduous office of President of the Uni
ted Sia'es-s to be preferred TO highly gifted and
endowed with all these essential and important requi>
sites;-a question too which turns upon no principle
OF policy On which they difer:-a question Which las
been raised by an opposition, many of whom agree
among themselves in nothing but exasperaled de.
termination 10 expe from office the present ucum--
nen--aiid losing sight fine value of our inesima-
bile institutions willing to sacrifice The PRINCIPLES
OF Jour administrations, the most dear the American
People at the Shine Of disappointed ambition In
This state of things hold it be our Duty and the
duty OF every citizen, 10 look with anxious eve TO
the consequences likely 10 result from the choice that
may he made at the next Presidential election-and
10 lake measures to prevent votes from being trans
erred not only without cur consent, but in direct OPP
position In wishes.
We, furthermore, feel it our duty to declare 10 the
world, that aiiei the most deliberate attention TO the
charge ct corruption in the last election of President
and to the assertions which have been made in support
OF it, we thoroughly satisfied that there is not the
slightest Foundation for ii. For the honour of our
country, we hold 1t 10 bcncIedibe tat the House O;
Representatives, chosen by the people everv two years
ior their integrity and ability and on whom The heI,
iuics OF legislation on the most important concerns OF
The nation well the election of President are de-
Vowed could be so dead to the confidence reposed in
mem oy their constituents, and to all sense of inerri-
anu honour, as to prostitute their votes TO ccr1uut
bargain, IN which too they could have no interest 4
oeei 10 the contrary would be at with our iusttu
uons, and would sap the cherished principle OF seifoo
selves IosuPpor such charge the highest evidence
ought 10 be atduced: without it, deprecate the
nc when we shall be corrupt 10 be compelled 10
give couutenaHce 20 charge SO degrading The u,ore
especially when the charge made against citizen a
native OF Virginia. whose whole political life has been
an example of devotion 10 the interests of his const
EMS ana OF the naon:--a citizen whose ynerted high
Sandin and iHiihencc- patriot and eiaes1au left
h':n nothing to ash OF administration 10 which HE
ambition could honoufably aspire; and pho had he
disregardeG the incentives OF duty wien the Office he
nTIovc, t,.,,
men was, hao tie most commanding prospect of filling
ihe highest oihce III the gift of The people.
Suc!i charge IS equally incredible when levelleS
against the President of the United Sates;-a citizen
"o for series of years and Of services he'll! fast the
confidence Of Washington, Of Jefferson of Madison
and OF honroe--evences Of int gritty and worth not
to be repealed by suspicion and the mere co,oura III
circumstances which have been brought to counto
nance iG-susp!con founded entirely differences 10
which unhaPpiIy the most vruous and faithful nubl;c
servant may be exposed by the luminosity feel
ng' as was the in the instance the CHARGES
against The Father Of his Country. fl! too was v oeod
10 uhiounded neutrality-suspicious. which, like the
witness OF the Holy inTuton, throws the manila o
crime over innocence and prepares the victim ii COD
!emnS. lie came out OF the ordeal pure and unde-I
h'ed-a blessing for which mankind are indcb,ed mot
80 ms accusers but to the virtue of tue age in which
lie lived and died. ~
entertaining as we 90 the above declared views
bc u HsSofced, That we would regard The eleva-
uon OF General Andrew Jackson TO the Office nj Pc
sIdeut OF these United States as A deoar,ure fron
Tie principles which have hitherto guided the people
IN making choice OF their Chief Magistrates and as
eDdanger"g The peace and permanency of cur hap
Py unIoD;-and That will therefore unite with oIr
'eo" ci%en5 IN all lawful and proper measures CAL
c'!a'ed 10 defeat tie attempt 10 elect him.
- HeS0"occ' mat tor that purpose we approve OF a
convention OF Delegates from the several counties of
the STATE, TO be holden in the CITY of Richmond nm I
9h'oHD TUESDAY in JANUARY next, whose
i"iy shall De TO form Electoral Ticket of suc
luaed persons residents Of the several districts des
gaaed by The Electoral Law, as are known to be on
posed TO The election OF General A. Jackson-and to
adopt such other as to them shall seem exna
lent and proper to promote the of said ticket
Al Inc approaching Presidential election.
iseSotrsd That two Delegates be forthwith appoint
20 by This meeting 10 represent in the said Convention
lie citizens Of this county opposed to the election oil
Gen. Jackson.
Rcsotred, That il be and it hereby is respecf,,,v
recommended 10 FELLOW citizens in the several
counties OF the State WHO opposed to the election
81 Zen Andfcw Jackson, forthwith to call meetings
aud appoint Delegates to represent them in tie pro
posed Convention.