Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

FROM THE SPIRIT OF '76.
TO THE
PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA:

We, the undersigned Members of the Monroe Corresponding Committee, take leave once more to address you:

It is well known to you that we were appointed by that portion of the legislative body, which convened at the capitol on the 22d day of February last, to make the arrangements proper and necessary to ensure the success of the Monroe electoral ticket.

Finding that there was a difference of opinion on the subject of the election, not only in this state, but in the U. States generally, we conceived, that when we were about to announce our ticket, we might take the liberty of submitting to the public judgment, a few arguments, which seemed to us entitled to great consideration and influence. We thought, that in a free country, on a subject so interesting, and at a period so critical, honest men might publish their real opinions to the world, without fear of insult or proscription. We did publish our real, our honest, our independent opinions, and we expressed them in terms to which we were well assured no exception ought to be taken. We did nothing more than exercise our indisputable right: a right without which free government cannot exist: and we think that the manner in which it was exercised, was perfectly compatible with the respect due to the public, to our opponents, and to the candidate in whose behalf they are so much excited. For this conduct on our part, fellow-citizens, for this exertion of an essential and indisputable right, for this performance of an important duty, for this avowal of our real opinions, in support of a man, so long and so well known to you all, we have been, with that intemperance, Gazette, charged both with an American from the republican principles to which we are most sincerely attached, but with entertaining views hostile to the honor and interests of the American people.

In reply to this last charge, we will not enter into any explanation. We disdain to do so. We know that our motives are pure: and we affirm that our solicitude for the honor and welfare of the U. States is as ardent and sincere, though perhaps not so enlightened, as that of the President himself, or either of the patriotic men who have been named as his successors. On this subject we are perfectly at ease.

But the foundation of this charge, is the wish which we avow to see Mr. Monroe President of the U. States. We acknowledge again, before the nation, that the election of James Monroe, to the presidential office, is in our opinion, a matter of the highest moment to the prosperity of this country. You all see-and feel the difficulties in which we are involved. Our trade is at an end, and our people prohibited from carrying the produce of their land and labor, on the great highway of the nations of the earth. We say nothing of the causes which led to the present state of things.-- We enquire not whether it might have been prevented; nor will we undertake to say what course ought to have been pursued.-- This enquiry would be unavailing now--we confine our remarks to the actual condition of our country. It is known to you all, that Mr. Madison stands fixed and committed on every question involved in our foreign relations, and we therefore ask you, whether you can think that his administration holds out to us that hope of relief, which may be anticipated from the known opinions, conduct and character of Mr. Monroe?

It is very possible. that on the subject of this election we may be in a minority ; but at this moment, no man can say with confidence, what the issue will be. A great change has taken place in the public opinion within a short time past, and we have good reason to believe that Mr. Monroe's interest is rapidly increasing in the other states as well as in Virginia. We therefore call on his friends to be firm and active, and not to suffer themselves to be intimidated by denunciations, from any quarter whatever, from delivering: their opinions and exercising the unquestionable rights of free and independent citizens. The delusion produced by the caucus at Washington is now nearly at an end, and every man, who will open his eyes, may see, that the members composing it, did not invariably speak the sentiments of their constituents. But admit that we may be in a minority, we shall at least have the satisfaction of knowing that we have acted with firmness and independence, and that we have done our duty to our country and to ourselves.

Indulge us for a few moments longer...

The friends of Mr. Monroe are charged with producing a schism among the republicans. We deny the accusation to be true. We do not hesitate to say that the friends of Mr. Madison, are alone responsible, because they adopted the measure from which it sprung. They withdrew from their political friends at the Capitol. They announced their intention to hold, and did hold a caucus, from which the friends of Mr. Monroe were excluded : they refused to engage in a fair and public investigation of the merits of the candidates ; and they now denounce their opponents as schismatics because they have not tamely acquiesced in a decision in which they were not permitted to participate.

But this charge about a schism is a mere delusion, as it relates to the presidential election. The person chosen president must have a majority of the whole number of the electoral votes. He who has them will be elected, whether the remaining votes are given to one, or divided among many. If the objection be urged to our conduct as having a tendency to promote the election of a federal president, it is obviously fallacious; because the whole force of the republican interest is employed in support of the republican cause, though not in behalf of the same person. The only effect of the division, may be to throw the election into the hands of the states in Congress assembled. But if the objection be urged with a view to shew that our conduct in not acquiescing in the nomination at the Bell Tavern is improper, because it leads to schisms and divisions among the republicans, we must repeat that we disapprove the caucus there held, for the reason already given, and further urge that the objection goes to the subversion of the most precious of our rights, of that right without which- the freedom of election is but an empty sound.

We have been charged also with forming a coalition with the federalists. We solemnly and upon our honor declare the accusation asa sho make it cannot seriously believe it. There has not been, -- is there now, any understanding, arrangement or compact between the federalists and the friends of Mr. Monroe. The federalists perhaps mean to vote for him. They have a right to do so if they please. They are free citizens of the country and may exercise their rights. as they think proper. Are we to abandon Mr. Monroe, because the federalists knowing that they cannot have a president of their own party prefer Him ? Would not such an abandonment be equally cruel and absurd : and if we really and conscientiously believe that Mr. Monroe ought to be president, is our regard for the welfare of our country, to give way to that illiberal jealousy, which tells us not to vote for the man of our choice because he has the suffrages of our political opponents ?

In the conduct which we have observed in relation to the approaching election, we have done what we conceive to be our duty, and followed the dictates of our best judgment. We have done no more than to exercise our unquestionable rights, and we are confident that the conduct which we recommend is calculated to promote the real prosperity and happiness of this nation.-- We expect however, from past experience, that insult and abuse will be heaped upon us. All this we must bear. Conscious of the rectitude of our motives, and solemnly impressed with a belief, that the election of James Monroe, will be more conducive to the public welfare, than the election of any other citizen in nomination, we shall hear with perfect indifference the clamors which this address will not fail to excite. If the public voice shall decide against us, if the people shall' proclaim Mr. Madison president, their will be done. We shall acquiesce : but until the will of the nation is ascertained, by a formal declaration in the way prescribed by the constitution, we shall, without hesitation, adopt every fair and honorable means to ensure the election of Jas. Monroe.

George Hay
Edward C Stanard
William Robertson,
John Brockenbrough
John Clarke, Absent.
October 17, 1808.
The Members of the Monroe Committees, and the friends to colonel Monroe's election throughout the state, are called upon to officiate in their respective counties in writing and distributing a number of tickets, equal to the votes in each county. No alteration in the ticket will again take place under any circumstances whatever.