The Wheeling repository — Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.], 1808-03-24 00:00:00, page 1

WHEELING REPOSITORY.
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(Vol. I.) Thursday, 24th March, 1808. (No. 46.)
From the Virginian.
IN the last Virginia Gazette there appeared an Es
say, with some poetry subjoined, under the signature of
RudibunduSy on the derivation of the word caucus.
As he apparently had nothing in view but to excite
a laugh (and in that he certainly succeeded) I cannot re
frain from expressing my regret, that a subject so seri
ous to the libei ties of my country should be treated
with such superabundance of wit and levity.
Impfejsed with this idea, and fearful that my Fel
low-Citf£e4s may be led away with talents which in
this instance I think misapplied, (though the work is
evidently hostile to caucuses,) I have been induced
with considerable trouble to investigate the same sub
ject in a more serious manner, by endeavoring to prove
its real etymology from the best authors, and to apply
its shocking principles, to the sober reflections of those
whose peculiar interest it is at this critical period to
watch with unceasing attention the intrigues of men in
power, and their obedient adherents.
-“ Cautious, barrens, Caucasus
Caucus—Caucus! still the clamorous sound
From ev’ry mouth, in one eternal round!
Through tire long week, which tiresome here I’ve been,
Not one will tell me, what can caucus mean ;
I’ve search’d the usual Hooks in every store,
Hut all are silent, though I’ve search’d a score :
Is’t a Whirlwind, Comet, Conflagration,
Embargo, Fast, or Proclamation ?
Of foreign growth from France purloin’d,
Or from our own word mongers coined ?
Is’t the bottle ! which we’re lately told
Did a whole troop of miscreants hold ?
Is it—but tir’d of guessing, let me ask
Of you my friend t’explain the irksome task ?
Quoth he, 44 I’ll try—-although the question’s tough>
Caucus is-Caucus ; is not that enough
A Q lidnunc on the watch, who’d heard the whole,
Ko rs out, “ A bright solution, ’pon my s——1 /
Oil ! for a short hand pen at any price !
To note a definition so concise.”
Amaz’d, the wond’ring pair look’d round, to sec
From whence arose, th’ intrusive repartee :
Quidnunc abash’d, wi‘h lowly bending head,
Confess’d his rudeness and for pardon pled.
The plea was granted, upon terms—‘-that he
T’explain the matter should at once agree :
Rejoic’d to find no greater task impos’d,
He smil’d assent—and thus his thoughts disclos’d.
First know o’er English books I’ve many por’d,
And classic volumes studiously explor’d ;
Rut from the latte r, only, caught a ray
To light my labouis in this darksome way.
There is, it’s said, in Asia’s wildest gloom !
A hideous mountain issues from its womb !
So high, its monstrous top appears to rise, •
And daring, hurls defiance to the skies !
There, sol’s chilled beams a lingering ray retains.
When night for hours below, has still’d the plains;
There, noxious winds perpetually blow,
And winter clad in everlasting snow;
Th’ impoison’d air the growth of verdure stop»
And nought but nightshade, rear their leafless stalks#
Sad dismal caves! immeasurably deep!
Where demons all accursed, are doomed to creep;
No beasts, but fiery dragons prowl the place,
And hungry vultures of the feather’d race ;
No human footstep thither dar’d to stray,
That fondly homeward could retrace its way r
This the dread spot the avenging Jove decreed,
Where erring Gods should expiate the deed : r
There chain’d Prometheus on a rock was laid,
And famished vultures on his liver prey’d.
No farther classic information goes,
Than just to bring the subject to a close.
This horrid mount (so ancient history says)
Was Mons Caucasus call’d, in Latin phrase ;
Which in plain English, not to longer dwell,
Is simply CAU€LTS, or a term for H—11.”
Thus finish’d Quidnunc. With presaging mind,
The pair would own the question well defin’d :
When thus the Gent, who open’d the debate :—
u I thank you for your long and learned treat;
And though the greater part I take on trust,
Yet your concluding lines I know are just,
And what is worse, most aptly they apply
To present times—"I own it with a sigh.—
View the curs’d caucus whichever way ’tis meet,
It lavs our Constitution at its feet!
Our first and dearest privilege does blast,
And throws the right of suffrage on a cast.
Shall we, who boast that freedom here, alone,
Her sacred flame is felt and truly known,
By tame submission forfeit all the claim
To dear-bought freedom, but the empty name!
Forbid it Heaven ? our sons, to memory dead,
Should thus forget the blood their sires had shed /
A trifling cause, compar’d w ith this alarm,
Arous’d the sons of liberty to arm I
The question’s not, which candidate shall go,
Whether, in name, ’tis Madison or Munroe7
But, must we fill the presidential chair,
With him whom miclnight caucus fixes there/
No, by my soul / the mean attempt shall fail,
For freemen’s votes will fill the adverse scale ;
Nip in the bud this innovation dire,