Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-28


Mr.. Dromgooc then read the following extracts
from tho proceedings of the meeting in New
York:
..'ihat the practice of making nominations for
the office of President by ividual States, has
n tendency to disturb the Harmony of the great
Republican family, 10y creating and strengthening
individual predictions and local feelings, and
thereby prevent that concert OF action which has
hitherto crowned their cxertions with success"
After recommending nomination by II Com
grcSsonal Caucus, and declaring that il is not en-
tircly Tree from objection, the Meeting proceeds
to say: THAT we fully believe that Convention
thus constituted, will he less liable to be iniluenc
ed by those sectional icaousics, against which the
father OF his country has solcmnly and Justly
cautioned us; more likely to cherish those purely
national feelings which il is the interest, and
should be tho pride of every State tc protect: and
better calculated to preserve unbrokcn those polit-
ica ties which bind together the Republicans of
the North and the South, the East and the West;
and are consccra,cd by the recollection of times
and events dear 10 tho Democracy of the nation,
which triumphcd i'll the election, and prospcred
under the administration, of the illusrious Jcer-
SON."
Virginia has pursued the policy developed in
these resolutions, from the days ofJcllerson to the
present time. Trumpet tongucd and from the
housc-top she has proclaimed these doctrines to
all her sister States. Will she embrace this prof
icrcd opportunity of departing from tho principle
of action which has hitherto regulate ed her conduct?
Will Virginia, renowned for her devotion to the
Union, famed for her honest and hearty exertions
10 give success and efficacy to this popular feature
III our Federal Government, and for her cautious
avoidance ufcvcry act Hated TO the cleo
lion from The people to Congress will she, I cmphati-
cay ask, eagerly seize this occasion prove rccrcant
to her own cherished doctrine? Will this good old
DOMINION become prominent Ill exhibiting tho cx-
ample OF II separate nomination by an individual
State, and in intoxicating the propricty of an in
flexible adherence TO il, under all circumstance s!
Shall we utterly spurn all propositions for conipa-
riSon of opinioR, and for union of action, and
proudly claim the right to dictate Vice President
to the Unionl Such not our course i'm the
better tho more virtuous days of the republic
Then, sir, DO tn virtue and modcSty characterized
our political Observation-Disclosures did not in
those times, dsdan all communion with her sister
sovcrcignties, and oscntatiously obrude the claims
OF her sons, TO the exclusion of the considera-
ton of the Just prctensions OF others. She gene
rously conided,-sho consulted and she co-ope
ratcd,-and was delighted To her native citizens
called TO preside in the councils of u mighty ma.
ton-not at her own bidding dictation, but by
the willing voice of a ichO!e people.
IT, sir, each State makes its own separate
nomination, and with uncompromising obstinacy
adhcrcs TO ii, Observation-Disclosures will be
the inevitable consequence. The primary and
iavoritc mode of election by the people desgn a,ed
III the Constitution will be defeated and nulliiicd Il
resort Will IN every instance, be had to the SecOndd
~ mode. Every four years Congress will be con :
verified into a political arena; and champions Sc
duccd by the gttcring prizes, will enter the lists
armed for combat with the deadly weapons of in
trIgue and management Separate nominations by
individual States vii in time be controlled by pcr.
sonai predictions, will cngender sectional joal.
onsieS and encourage geographical demarcations
OF party. The miserable tendency of such n course
Will be to ALLEVIATE different portions of the country
TO weaken and to destroy .'those purely ationa
feelings which we ought to CHERISH" and
TO hasten, if it does not produce, a
dissolution of this Union. Are not the
reasons then sufficient TO induce us to forbeaI
a separate nomination of Vice President at this
time! Shall we not render it almost certain that
the election will dcvolvc on the Senate? Is there
Republican in Virginia who wishes to produce
this result? We're knowingly and wiliully to Gre
ate divisions and dissensions with the intention of
preventing an election in the popular mode and
with the hope of succeeding in a scutilc in the Sc
nate, should deem myself disorganizcr, and be.
levc that had acted with worse than Carthage
man faith towards the provisions of the Constitu.
ton. Every view which | can take of this cues
tlon, every thought which i am capable of exert.
ing III It's examination, strongly confirms me i'm
the opinion that it would be unwise for Virginia to
make a separate and unconcerted nomination of
Vice President.
Thus l have cndeavorcd to make known the
principles upon which my conduct is founded and
TO submit some of the considerations which com.
pei ne to vote for the substitute of the gentleman
from Petersburg Mr.. Brown.) | wish it to be dis
timely understood that am not influenced by any
the slightest, feelings of hostility towards the en-
neht individual, whom it is the intention of those
IN favor OF a nomination to support.--I do not op
pose nomination Of Vice President because
think Philip y. Barbour unworthy the station to
winch 1t is proposed TO invite him. There is no sta
ton under the Government which / do not think
him both worthy and qualified to fill / am friend.
Iy to his political advar cement. | entertain n
high opinion of his integrity, his talents and his
patriotism. But with the warmest feelings of
friendship Tor the man, with exalted admiration
OF his qualifications prefer the promotion of the
interests OF my country to iadiScrect effort for
ms Advancement. L prefer the postpOncmcnt of
ms well-grounded pretnnsons, and of all other in
dlviduals' TO the distraction and discussion of the
great republican party, with which, however it
may have been denounced and ridicued it is nv
Pride ana pleasure TO act therefore, Mr..
Chairman in favor of national consultation on the
SUBJECT oil ndtiOHaL clcction.--As one member of
the party am prepared to confer with my politi.
Cal coddulors hF0ughOut the Union in a spirit of
cohcilatIon and compromise. L am prepared to
make some sacrlflce-not of vital principle, but of
personal preference and of individual opinion upon
the aItdr OF harmony and concert. In concedinn
thns much, yield not one title, in nv opinion
OF INC doctrines of the church, as promulgated by
our fathers in times gone by. | conceive, Sir
That am following the lights of their glorious ex
"mPes, and walking in the path which they have
uod before. Sir am disposed to unite in Con.
Vention Jury and equally organized, to be compo-
scd OF delegates from among the friends of An
drew Jackson throughout this Union
hls conceive is the true plan of concert and
the only practicable cxpcdicnt now within our
power And should it he the determination of this
meeting (as trust it will be- to decline separate
and digo'"i@I nomination of Vice President, it is
my intention to submit for their adoption a promo
sltion expressive OF our willingness to unite in q
full and tdn consultation, and declaratory of our
intention to be represented in the proposed Ma.
tional Convention. In order that this mcctinp
may be in possession of my views, and as an an,
swerto the question put by my worthy county-man
to the gentleman from Petersburg, | will take the
liberty OF reading the Preamble and Resolutions