Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-10-09
VIRGINIA POLITICS.

1t IS a TACT, known AND admitted ~ a"S '"s'
General Jackson is not the man of the People
Of Virginia Those who support him are
obliged to acknowledge that they do not respect
his character; tina, they dis,rus, his qualities as
a statesman; and fear the violence aud impeeu-
osi,y of his temper. They tell us they advo-
cate his elcc ton in preference 10 Mr. Adams,
not be objected to, because they are opposed 10
the Tariff, deny the constitutional power ct The
National Government 20 construct roads and
Lanals, and wish 10 see strict construction OF
the Constitution. These are the principal
grounds of the opposition in Virginia to Mr.
Adams; and there being no other opposing can
didate than General Jackson, they tell US they
are constrained 10 take him, with all his imper-
fec,ions.
Those who are os,ensiby a, the head Of this
opposition, are Giles, Randolph, Stevenson,
Daniel, sc forming, what is generally called,
the Richmond Junto. They have their auxili'
aries and allies In all parts Of the State, between
whom, add those at headquarters, a constant
and regular communication is kept up; md their
official organ is the Richmond Enquirer, one
Of whose editors has been admitted into the
conclave, and is high in their favor. This once
repcclable print, by pursuing manly and cons
sistent course, and on account Of IFS being the
channel through which the first men Of the
State formerly expressed their opinions, stood
deservedIy high in the estimation Of the people
No choice, therefore, could have been better
l, was master stroke Of policy, 10 obtain the
CO operation Of the Enquirer; and especially. TO
get it entirely and completely under their con-
trout
1t is hardly worth while to 60 into 4 history
Of the rise of the opposition in Virginia. II
had Its origin in disappointed ambition, in per-
sonaI prrjudices, and in sectional feeli"g-for
disguise i, as they may sec prejudices have
a strong influence in determining mems opini-
ons in the South. 1t ie MO-. -. p-.pvSe t"
attempt something like description Of the
manner fits operation, and the ex,en, 10 which
it has succeeded; to show how hollow are its
been overra,ed
rhe leaders Of the party commenced on ia
vorable ground. They had local feelings in their
favor, and majority Of The people held TO the
doctrines ineulcard by The Virginia school of
politicians. When, therefore, thr President,
in his first message to Congress, honestly de-
elared bis sentiments on all those great aud i'm
portant national questions, which have been
matters Of dispute, they eagerly caught at what
they allied his"latitudinarian'' principles, and
,rumpered them forth, with exaggerated re-
ports and shameful perversion OF his language
Having thus obtained hold-a loop on which
to hang their subsequent charges-they Set 10
work with assiduity to effect their object
The State was TO be revolutionised for no
where was Jackson weaker than in Virginia be-
fore the last election-no where was his con.
duct regarded with greater adherence. Ran
dolph, as Senator, was TO thunder his ana,he
mas, spit his venom, and shoot his poisoned
arrows, from . place where he was himself Sc
cure, and where he was surrounded with Dor.
roWcu ulShily, WINCH, however, was SOON iost
and disgraced. Giles, as Governor Of the State,
was 10 use all his influence in that station. and
be aided, too, by his councillors. The Enqu.
rer was put into instant sequisi,ion. It's edi.
tors bogglrd not al The monstrous inc onsis ency
and absvrdity Of advocating the cause Of man,
whose election they had, only short time be-
fore, declared would be curse upon the coun.
try. Stevenson, who was willing, a, first, 10
act with Justice, was brought over by hope Of
future support, and his post in the House as.
signed him. Having settled The great business
OF distributing the most impor,sn, Offices to
l ne -most important personages, their conf.
dants and underlIngs throughout the Stale were
placed in order, and instructed how 10 act.-t
bus the system was organised, and the oppo-
sition went into full blast. Their mode OF con.
Quoting their operations is different, too, from
The manner in which their friends in other