Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-02-16
Virginia Administration Address.
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.


frame an address, stated the readiness oft that
committee to report within one hour-and
on motion of MIR. T.. Colston. the Chair was
vacated for that space of tIm2--at the expi-
ration of which, the President resumed the
Chair
Mr.. Johnson, from the committee to frame
an address, then reported the following Ad-
dress and Resolutions:
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
Having been delegated, by those who OPP.
pose the election of Andrew Jackson, as
President of the q. States, and having as
sembcd in the city of Richmond, pursuant
TO our appointment, and formed an electoral
ticket, VIC feel it due to ourselves, to those
who dcputed us, and to our country, to sub
init n brief exposition of our views, on the
very interesting subject which has brought
us together.
1t is no ordinary occasion, which at this in
clement season of the year, has brought so
many of us from our business and our homes.
We believed that the dearest interests of our
country were at stake, that her character, her
peace and happiness, and even the pcrIna-
hence of her free institutions, were III peril.
We feared the most pernIcIous consequences
from the election of Gen. Jackson, and we
have come to consult upon the means of a.
verting this calamity from our country. We
great object, is the reelection of the present
Chief Magistrate, and have formed an Elec-
toral Ticket for that purpose, which we ear
nesty recommend to the support OF the peo-
pie of Virginia.
We know that many Of you strongly disap-
prove some of the leading measures of the
present administration,-have not confidence
IN it, and would be exceeding y unwilling to
sanction the principles of construction ap-
piled by the present Chief Magistrate, to the
constitution of the U. States. But we do
not perceive in these circumstances, any sut-
iicient reason for withholding your support
from the Ticket we have recommended. We
ourselves are not agreed upon these subjects.
While some disapproveth these measures, want
confidence in the administration, and are UNI
willing to sanctonthe principles ofconstruc-
ton adopted by the President,-most of US
approve the general course of the admmlstra-
ton, have confidence in its virtue, its patriot
ISM it's wisdom, and nothing to
condemn in the Presidents interprcta-
ton of the federal constitution. Yet
we do not discuss among ourselves, and we
will not discuss before you, the grounds of
this difference. We waive such discussion,
as wholly inappropriate; and postpone it to
the time, when there may be some choice
offered us, that might be influenced by it
Now there is none such. We are left to the
alternative ofchoosing between Jackson and
Adams; and however wemay offer IN opinion
as to the merits of the latter, we heartily
concur in giving him a decided preference
over his competitor. The measures which
some disapprove in the present administra-
trion, none would hope to see amended, I'M
der that of Gen. Jackson:-the distrust In the
present Chief Magistrate, entertained by
some, is lost in the comparison with that
which all feel, in his competltor;-and the
constitution, which we would preserve from
the too liberal Interpretation OF Mr.. Adams,
we would yet more Zealously defend against
the destroying hand of his rival
While however, we decline discussion of
those subjects, on which we differ in opinion,
and prctermit any general vindication of the
Chief Magistrate, his cabinet or his measures,
we cannot pass unnOticcd some topics con-
ncctcd with the last election, and some acts
Of the administration, III relation to which we
think the public mind has been greatly abu-
wed.
The friends of Gen. Jackson have conf
IDENTITY held him up, as the favorite oithc peo-
p1e,--havc insisted that in the last election,
his plurality of votes proved him to be the
choice fthc nation,-and have bitterly COM
planned that that choice was improperly dis
appointed, by the representatives III Con-
gross.
Never was there more direct appeal to
those preiudices and passions, which, on oil
occasions, the good should disdain, and the
wise should rcpress,--ncvcr was q complaint
moro utterly unfoundcd, and never one more
characteristic of that disregard for the con
stitution, which has been manifested, on
more occasions than one, when It's provisions
stood in the way of Gen. Jacksous march.
Whether Cen Jackson IS the favorltc of
tho people is to be tested by the event, not
assumed as the basis, the pending election.
That his plurality Of votes proved him to DC
thc choice of the nation ut the last election
we confidently deny. 1t may perhaps be
found upon examination, that while Gen J.
nad a plurality Of electoral votes Mr. Adams