Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-10-02
z" i. w. GILMER, ESQ. Chairman ,
~ heJ. y b. e. G. C..
UNFORTUNATELY
JNO. GIBSON

- BUCKINGHAM, Sept. 10Th, 1882.
SIR-f our letter OF the 18th August was received this
month"; some days since, in which you saw "in aopting
the ticket OF electors which had formed by the Ie
gsaiive Caucus, the friends OF Judge Barbour were desir
Gus 10 OBTAIN lair aud decisive test OF the will of the pco
pie oil Virginia, the Interesting subject of the Vice Pre-
sidency, without hazaring the unpleasant consequences
which might result at this time from the nomination of
uonoie ncke,; aud that "they desire TO be authenticity
lnoriAed whether the electors whom am, ouc) who
nave oeeh uus recommended by the Legislative Caucus
ana ny he charlottesville Convention will consider my
sell bound to vote for Judge Barbour as Vice President
should appear tia, such is the will OF majority the
people Ut Virginia, deliberately expressed at the polls
In reply, state that the people OF Virginia il seems are
somewhat divided upon this interesting question The
Legislative Convention left The subject OF Vice Presidency
open 10 the discretion of the electors so as TO profit by
ume and experience, and for that republican can
ddae Tor Vice President who, they might think stood the
best chance of election so as TO prevent an nv The
Senate OF The United States.
The Charlottesville Convention desire TO elect Judge
Barbour as Vice President, and wish the electors pledged
to that elect, upon certain contingencies happening I
TAR to presume that, however anxious the Charlottesville
Convention may he 10 elect Judge Barbour as Vice Pre-
sident, they would be unwilling TO sacrifice tbe vot of
virginia. such vote would carry the election OF Vice Pre-
sdent to the Senate of the United States and thereby
PROSTATE The best interests OF Virginia. and probably
on us Iari and Federal Vice Presdent-I cannot be
neve majority oil the people OF Virginia wish this
things The Constitution of the United States has dese
mated electors TO be chosen by the people, the Legisla
lures the States as the persons elect President and
wee President 1t must have intended discretion in
the electors, and that discretion ought always to he
sound one, 10 obey the will of the peopey as
the people at their primary assemblies polls might
prefer particular Vice President, and suppose
that there was reasonable prospect OF his successbut
the same people were afterwards called vote at the
time OF the meeting of the college of electors and hav-
ing ascerained, that their avorite candidate stood no
chance OF election, and that by adhering him, they
would place the election before the Senate of the United
States where Vice President of entirely different poi-
cal principles would, might be elected they 1.-THE
people, would q hink) vote harmonize the Re-
publican interest OF the States, and elect Vice Preside
more congenal TO their feelings and INTEREST," the Con-
sututon having lett discretion in the Electors The Vir-
GINA Assembly in the Electoral Law have done so-the
Legislative Caucus $50 called) having the same-ihe
people no doubt intend the same, and presume the Char.
lolesve Convention the if there be reasonable
prospect oil the election of Judge Barbour especially
1t voting for him should carry the election of Vice Presi-
dent before the Senate of the United States | should
therefore, Gf elected of the Elcctors) feel myself
bound, as well from my conviction, what belle
IS the will OF majority OF the people of Virginia. TO vote
Tor Andrew Jackson President aud such other Repub-
can person Vice President, whether il were Judge
Barbour, or any other Democratic candidate, that might
prevent an election by the Senate of the United States
In doing this, should feel that had discharged my dutv
and had obcyed the will Of majority OF the people OF
virginia am, very respectfully,
Your obedicnt servant,
ARCU'D AUSTIN