Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-07
From the IT, s. TeIegrnph.

1--WE publish, to-day, the proceedings of the legis-
lative caucus, at Richmond, Virginia. We offer
few remarks. First it is notorious that this
caucus was fixed by Richie 81 Co., on the 2Sth,
with the intention of making demonstration in
favor of Mr.. Van Buren,, for the Vice Presiden-
cy, or, what is tantamount, for sending delegates
to the Baltimore Convention, with view OF act
ing upon the Harrisburg Convention, to be held
on the 5th inst. Accordingly they allowed just
sufficient time for the action at Richmond to reach
Harrisburg, believing that the honest German
population of Pennsylvania would not hesitate to
follow the lead of Virginia. The movement has
failed. No nomination was made, and the scheme
will now be formed ofmaking impression that
it was postponed, by the friends of Mr.. Van Boz
ren and that the vote in favor of the question of
postponement, indicates his strength in the L.
gislature. very little reflection will be sufficient
to detect the fallocy OF this pretext.
at is certain that the meeting was called by the
immediate and confidential agents of Mr. Van Blu
rem. 1t is 10 less certain that ~ Voc hirhlv
desirable, in order to influence the movement at
Harrisburg that the strongest practical demonstra-
ton of his strength should be given; and that if his
friends had the power, they would, beyond all
question: have proceeded to nomination. That
they did not, is a conclusive proof of the want of
power to do
"Again: 1t is clear that the assigned for
the adjournment, and which induced it, to witt
that the apportionment bill had not passed, and
that, consequently, electors could not be nomina-
ted, was mere pretext The fact was us well
known when the meeting called, it was
when it adjourned, that the apportionment bill
had not passed, could be passed, at the
time assigned for it; and may, there
fore, conclude, without the possibility of err
ror, that some other than that assigned,
was the true cause for moving adjournment; and
that reason, considering the quarter from whence
it came, could be other than that the leaders
had discovered that they too weak to make
the nomination.
''The truth Isl that Mr. Van Buren, is too odous
to be forced, either on Pennsylvania Virginia;
those two great republican States too pure, too
firm, too high minded, to bow to his intrigues and
corruption: they have marked his course, and to
him they trace the distraction of the country, and
OF the party; defeat OF the principles that brought
General Jackson into power, and the accumula-
tlon of tho danger and difficulties, which menace
with destruction the republican party, and the
peace and harmony of the country. His days
are numbered He has been weighed in the ba-
lance and found wanting.
CoMMENTs.-We republish the observations Of
the Telegraph the Jackson Caucus, for the
purpose of aPpending some comments.
l. The Telegraph is mistaken in supposing that
the scheme was to send Delegates to Baltimore.
That had been entertained probably, at one time,
but abandoned as too strong, being VIGOROUSLY
equivalent to the immediate nomination of Mr..
Van Buren,: step which however desired, it were
dangerous to venture upon without farther prepa-
ration upon the public mind. The Baltimore
scheme was superseded by another, viz: to leave
the electors unpledged, with full expectation that
they can be prevailed upon when assembled at
Richmond to vote for Mr.. Van Buren,, and per-
haps that public opinion by that time may lot only
ncquiesce in, but require, the vote of the State to
be given to that gentleman. This projet is much
more ingenious .han that of sending Delegates to
Baltimore. 1t quite effectually makes all safe
for Van Buren-it giUes time to work public opin-
ion round to the desired point it avoids dangers
any sort which might arise from precipitation; and
plausible, if usory, arguments may be urged
in its favor, on principle: For example,
its advocates may and do urge in its behalf that
by leaving the electors untrammclled, they may so
dispose the vote of Virginia as to make election
of Vice President by the People. When Mr.. Craw-
ford plainly had no chance Of being chosen in
1924 by the People, Mr. Richie struggled for him
to the last, in the avowcd hope that he would be
one OF the three returned, and that the House Of
Representatives would select him. But, General
Green knows very WE'LL that circumstances alter
cases Mr. Richie is at this time, extremely ter
ricd at the very idea of the election Of President
or Vice President, coming to Congress.
The Telegraph is then mistaken in this fact
lie is as unfortunate in another guess. The vote
for postponemcnt at the Caucus, is indicative OF
Mr.. Van Burcn's strength in the Legislature The
seUcnty-three who supported Mr.. Roane's motion.
may not be exactly Van Buren, men, but thew will
to a man, acquiesce in measures to promote his
election When the contest wakes warm. thew
VII all DC found in his ranks.
Tbo Caucus at Harrisburg we dare saw exerted
no influence one way or the other, at Richmond;