Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-20
LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS.

on Saturday night exclusive of the debate on the
proposition suggested by Mr.. Preston, formally
made by Mr.. Witcher, and warmly supported by
MI Goode, for proceeding instanter, to the desig
nation of candidate for the Vco PRESIDENCY. to
run with Gen. Jackson. The Speeches of Messrs
Preston and Goode, of unusual political inter
est. They were evidently intended as a careat to
the nomination of Martin Van Buren,, either at
Richmond, Albany, Baltimore, or Washington
The Caucus on Saturday evening was pREpARAro-
RY one; it was evident that few perhaps but two
| only of those in the meeting, were in tho secret
1t was suspected that the delay in the nomination
OF Vice President, to give time for the cards
TO be stocked in Van Burens favor, by the ulers
at Albany and Washington The vehement an
pcals of Messrs. Goode and Preston in favor Of 4
Vice President of Virginia Observation-Disclosures,
Antl-Road' AntI-Dlsribution of the Surplus Revc-
nue. and AntI-Government Bank-were apparently,
to one like us, mere locker on in Verona and adj
mitted into the Caucus by courtesy, acceptable to
heaVy proportion, If not majority of the meet
ing and it is plain enough, that p z. Barbour or
Judge Smith must get the nominations or the Jack
sonians will split about their Vice President We
were forcibly struck with the extraordinary diver
sity of sentiment, among those, who still agree to
support Cen Jackson, and of the vet more striking
opposition of opinion between him and some of
his followers-Mcssrs. Goode and Preston .ses-
chewed" almost all the propositions OF the Prcsi
dents several Messages-the Tariff, Roads, Co
vcrnment Bank, and Distribution of the SURPLUS
Revenue. They vowed that no consideration
whatsoever, should induce them to support as Vice
President, the noculated with all or either of
these hcresies! They would have none but him
who was not named, but sufficiently known bv
their allusons-P. p. Barbour-or perhaps thew
might take Judge Smith! 1t did not occur TO the
gentlemen it appeared to us, the strange attitude
in which they were placing themselves-that while
they obtcsted, and protested, and "eschewed,,
against any man for Vice President who held the
principles referred toan office of only CONTINGENT
lmportance-thcy were supporting con amore, for
the first office, for the Presidency itself man who
has signed many improvement Bills, who has So
lemnly declared for the Tariff, and thrown the
PRESIDENTIAL influence by distinct and substantive
| recommendations, into the scale of Il Government
Bank, and Distribution of the Revenue These
arc the beautiful results of Jacksonism! These
gentlemen, and thousands of Others must support
the Hero although he is opposed to their entire
creed; The physic is nauseous enough but thev
have no choice but to hold their noses and 90 it.!
or stay at home, and 'eschew" politics until
JacksonIsm ceases with the political life of its
founder.
Those who had called the Caucus, and had cut
and dried every thing, extremely ANNOYED at
the unruly temper displayed by the ardent gentle
men who were disposed to rush into the selection
ofa Vice President without their lead or any other
guide but their principles. But, the storm
flow by, and the refractory will learn the traces bet
ter by the final Caucus.
We give the proceedings with the exception OF
the discussion the nomination of the Vice Pres
idont We have not room for that to-day.I
JACKSON CAUCUS.
Pursuant to notice, the Members of the General
Assembly In favor OF the reelection of Gen. Jack
son, instructed to attend, convened in Caucus
on Saturday evening, in the Hall of the House of
Delegates
Mr.. Miller of Powhatan, nominated Mr.. Tho.
Richie Secretary-who being approved, Mr.
! Miller requested Mr.. Bryce of Goochland to con-
duct him to the tabIe-Mr. Richie however, reach
! ed his place without aid.
! On motion of Mr.. Miller, Mr. Speaker Banks
was called TO the Chair, who having taken it.
briefly addressed the Meeting in his happicst man
ner
Mr. Miller moved the call ofthe roll OF the
i two Houses.
Mr.. Crockett of Wythe, declaring himself oppo-
sed both heretofore and now, to Gen Jaclson's
election, stated that ne represented one of the
most Jackson Counties in the Commonwealth, and
hdd attended the CauGuS from sense OF duty to his
constituents.
! Mr. Cameron Of Bath made similar declaration.
! Opposed TO Gen. Jackson himself, he yet believed
! ii MS duty to act as majority of his constituents
| desired.
Mr.. Jones Of Elizabeth City and Warwick, said
that folly two thirds Of his constituents werc ia
favor of Gen. Jackson's election, he came to pro-
moto their wishes, though in opposition to his
own.
Mr.. Cabcll of Nelson, said he was not in the
Caucus from the impulse of hsincljnation, but to
represent the opinions Of majority of his consti-
tuents.
Mr.. Stillman Of Fluvanna, said nc was against
! Ger. Jackson individually, but that nc represented
| a unanimous Jackson county (Mr. StIman himself,
gave the only vote for Adams in Fuvauna, in
pie, adheriug as he does to his principles, is a
striking proof Of his personal merit, ard Of the
! liberaiity Of that celebrated cOunty.)
On motion Of Mr.. PCndlCtOn, editors Of news
papers were admitted to seats in the Caucus 20
take notes
! Mr.. Millcrrcncwcd his motion for call Of the
i roll in order TO mark the absonocs and that pro-
vision might be made for having those counties re-
presented in the final Caucus, which were unreprc-
| sented ia this. IT was impossible at this time, to
designate day for that Caucus. The apporton-
mcnt bill must first pass Congress- and the quota
/ Of representation to which Virginia would be en-
titled under the late Census, asccrtainod. Mean
while, he proposed 10 empower the Chairman and
| Secretary, with whom members in habits OF
daily intercourse, to call future meeting, and that
counties not represented in this, should be invited
10 send Delegates. Mr.. Miller drofed resolutions
TO this effect, which were seconded by Mr.. Opie, oil
the Senate.
Mr.. Dado Of the Senate, mooted the question