Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-09-18
BARBOUR AND VAN buren,.

BARBOUR AND VAN BUREN,.
Mr.. Gilmcr, Chairman of the Barbour Central
Committee, having demanded Of the Caucus Eject
ors how they would vote if majority of the vo.
tiers expressed preference for Barbour over Van
Buren,, two of the number. Messrs. Dade and 10y
ALL have answered, and their replies are published
in the Charlottesville Advocate. That paper itself
Van Burenish, construes their letters a asserting
the principle, that the Electors arc bound by tho
views of the Caucus which nominated, and not by
the wishes of the People who may elect them !!
Tho Advocate SAYS
"Wc are somewhat surprised at the answers
which we publish to-day from Messrs LOYAL s.
Dade, to The communication addressed to them
by tho chairman of the Jackson s. Barbour Cen
trail Corresponding Committee. When the Bar
bour convention adopted the ticket of electors
which had been formed by the Legislative caucus,
we did not tor moment doubt that the electoral
college would bestow the vote of the state for
Vice President, upon Judge Barbour if such should
be clearly ascertained at the Polls 10 be the will of
majority of the people. This result we regarded
as matter of course: viewing as we did, the
electors appointed, the agents for carrying
into effect the will of the people. But the letters
referred TO certainly establish different principle
We derive from them the doctrine, that the cleo
tors arc only bound to carry out tho views of those
by whom they were immediately nominal
ed: In short, that they the agents of the Lee
gislative caucus, not of the people; doc,
trine palpably tantamount, in humble estima
ton, to denial of the right of instruction. and
therefore one which we are bound to condemn"
1t would be Presumptuous in us, to minglo in the
high controversies of the Republican party, and
therefore we withhold construction of the let.
tcrs of Mcssrs. Dadc g. Loyal. The temporising
scheme of the Chariot tesville Convention deserves
q no will bo hot,
ing of the Barbour Central Committee is asked at
Charlottesville, the 9th, probably in conse
quence of these letters which we insert
Correspondence 10Th the Chairman offAe Jackson
ana BH6our Central Corresponding Committee.
SYLVAN LODGE, Orange Co., }
LIST September, 1892
Your letter bearing d; to tic 18th of August,
Post marked the 28th, have just received, has
ten to reply 10. Y GU say-''In adopting the ticket
of electors which has been formed by the Legisla-
tive caucus the friends of Judge Barbour were desi
rous 10 obtain fair u decisive test Of the will of the
people of Virginia, the interesting subject of the
V. Presidency, without hazarding the unpleasant
consequences, which might result at this time, from
the nomination of double ticket; and they desire
to be authenticity informed whether-I being
one OF the electors recommended by the Legisla-
tive caucus, Will consider myself bound to for
Judge Barbour Vice President, should it a pear
that such is the will of majority of the people of
Virginia, deliberately expressed at the polls" Not
| being aware of any definite mode by which the peo-
pie are required to their preference, for
individual V. President but presuming the friends
OF Judge Barbour contemplate making indorsc-
meat on the back of the ticket expressive of their
preference, shape my reply according ly-and first
say-in conformity with the usages of the republi-
can party with whom have acted ever since i
was III political life, i should feel myself bound
to give effect to the dUoDed intention of the LIE
gislative caucus of which was member--and that
was that the elector should by his vote sustain as
Vice President, the candidate who might be strong
| est with the friends of Andrew Jackson as next
President; and if possible by harmony and concert
OF action, effect election by the people. Should
Judge Barbour prove to be strongest, will vote for
him with pleasure; should another be strongest,
Will vote for that indivdual-be him Van Buren,
or any other man. Believing that the people of
Virginia would not be willing that the vote of Vir-
ginia should be thrown away, but made available
towards the election of Vice President friendly 10
the reelection Of Andrew Jackson, and kno,oing
that Judge Barbour entertains this fceng-I could
not change the rule of action above laid down I'M
less the endorsement the ticket expressly decla
red that Barbour TO be voted for in all epents;
the mere endorsement of the namo of Philip p
Barbour upon the ticket (Which the college might
or might not have authentic information off, would
not be sufficient to control my vote, when [ saw
that Barbour could not be elected with the vote of
Virginia, but that Van Buren, or some other OF the
Republican party could.
I'M SIedI respect,
am, dear Sir, your ob't servt,
LAW. II. DADE.
To Thomas w. GrLmER, Esq,
Chairman J. g. b. G.. G.. Committee, Charlottcs-
vile.
NoRFoLK BoRoUGH,
Sd September, 1882.
SRI received by the last mail your letter of
the 18th ult., post-marked the 25th.
Should the ticket formed by the Legislative Con.
yentioh be chosen by the people Of Virginia as
Their college of electors, in the approaching elect.
ION OF President and Vice President of the United
States, rs one of them, shall hold myself bound
tn give effect TO the will of the majority which,
that event. would he imperative as to the Office
OF PRESIDENT. but, in relation to the office of Vice
PRESIDENT, would clearly invest the electors with
dlscreiToTR restrained by The principles which inhu
cnced the convention, and were deliberately avow.
cd throughout their proceedings. Having already
accepted the pomation of an elector from the con.
ventIon, ON these principles, it's approval by the
people, in their sovereign character will render the
exercise of the contemplated discretion, an essen
Mt t,f,r Al.