The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-02-13

added proov how frnilcss, IF not mischiev-
o,iS, = Scacrai caucus would have been. This
howeA e. shall be considered in due time.
ne expectation thai the friends OF Mr. Mum
roc would have an immediate meeting, LET
c friends of Mr.. Madison no alternative,
b. 60 adopt similar measure. They &C
cordins!y called a caucus on the same day.
ltis anifest, that the friends of MIR. Ma
Olson could not have precipitated the caucus
Tor the PURPOSE of influencing the expected
meeting at Washington. The information
received from etery quarter. had created
Strong and confident belief, that the Ma
olson Ticket would be carried by large
majority in Congress and Hortensius has
labored to inculcate the indea, that manu- of
those who voted for Mr.. Madison were gov
erned by that impression. 1t was even CON
sidered much more doubtful, what would be
the issue ut the caucus here, than at Wash
ington. The friends of Mr.. Madison had
every motive to wait until the question sho'd
be settled at the seat Of government; while,
on the other hand, they incurred the risoue
of offending the other states, by taking the
lead in the election. But the friends of Col.
Mnnroe had a palpable advantage in urging
an Immediate caucus. They had little to
hope for from Washington and if they
Gould, by any means, have obtained strong
vote in sthe Legislature of Virginia, they
might have fixed the wavering, alarmed the
timid, and paralysed the most strenuous
friends of Mr. Madison, in Washington This
policy was so obvious, that it would be an
imputatior on the sagacity of Col Monroe's
friends, which they certainly do not deserve,
tosappOse tn At they were anxious for DELAY.
70 them, eItedition was every thing to
eAeir opponents nothing could be gained by
Is, AID much might be lost.
Rtlt WHY Shorld HortcnS;nc borc,e. 49,,
self and the public, with conectures about
The motives and objects of Mr.. Madison's
friends, when plain statement OF facts will
shcw that the caucus here would not have
Influenced the caucus at Washington, The
meeting at the Bell-Tavern, was held on
Thursday the 21st ultimo, and the notice had
been given on the same day. The meeting
st Washington took place on the SATURDAY.
following; of course the result of the meet
ing here could not have reached Washington
before the caucus there, even BY the most ex-
pcditious mode of conveyance. Bui such is
the effect of paity-spirit, that the friends of
Mr.. Madison are accused at one time, of re-
ceiving their tone from Washington, at ano
Their, of gir'ing the tone to Congress; and
by this magical action and reaction, the sup
porters of Col. Monroe are willing to per-
suade themselves, that the great majorties
III favor of MIR. Madison are mere illusions
of fancy.
come now to the great objection, on which
the friends of Col. Monroe RELY with so much
triumph-thc secession of the friends of
Mr.. Madison from the rest of the Lecisla-,
ture. This measure has been the theme of
wit, eloquence, and invective. II is some
times called the offspring Of Sensi5iGttv; at
other times it is said, tina it was adopted by
an arrogant majority, who will hear no ar
90 eun apHS ,,ff
yer detestable this measure may appear,
do not hesitate to assume the odous task of
indicating its wisdom and expediency.
=. In order to view this subject in its real
light, 1t will be necessary to ascertain the
only legitimate objects ola caucus. A meet
ing of any number Of individuals to express
their own sentiments on any pubic ques ion.
can only be obligatory on those individuals
themselves, and ought not to influence the
rest OF the Community. If the members of
the Legislature Chuse to asse mble in thei,
private capacities, to determine OIL any
particular course Of conduct, without refer
ence to the Pnions OF the pep e, their de-
cision is OF 40 more importance than the
decision! 6t any equal number Of individuals.
1t would be most monstrous absurdity to
say, that iwo hundred men should impose a
President OH the United States; merely be-
cause hey felta prediction for one man ra-
ther than another. such doctrine would
ESTABLISH most dctestablc oiigarchy and
lCauCus Of this sort would we'll me rit all the
&C nsures ct EostensiuS: What then is the
peculiar trait which distinguishes a Leeis-
lative caucus from any other meeting of IN
dividua!s! What rs the circumstance which
gives weight to their decision, in the conf
munity at larges ] defy the ingenuity Of
man to point out any other than this that
the members of the Legislature are Suhhox-
ed 10 &fedk tie as1'se f their constifucnts.-
They are not TO obey their o9vn tripdre tar
haE.tieS, hut to recommend such a candidate
as, III Their cstim ation, will possess the lar
gest share of confidence among the people
whom they represent They act in this. a,
IN all other cases, in their rehresen;ati,,c
character. Their functions here are strict
ly analogous to the duties of the electoral
body itself. In both instances a certain mr.
cite act is % be performed. In the one case
nomination Is to- be made; i'll the other an
election Is 20 take place. il will not be dep;-
ed that an elector IS bound to follow imnIi-
city the will Of his constituents; UPON what
principle then, caa it be con.ended, that q
delegate has any latitude of discretion in
the nomination Of a candidate>
1t amember of Assembly has no discreet
OF in the choice Of Candidate il he 10
bound downb the imperious will of his con-
sttuents; II he IS mere agent who dares
not to exceed the limits Of his COMM sion
where 10 The necessity OF general cancu, ;
Where is the PIcpriety even of debate. To
convince him that lie has adopted errfneous
impressions as to the man whom he means ~
a a 4.