Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-06-24

when you have spare corner. If the rea-
sons here given Ia favor of Il caucus can be
overturned, let il be done. l believe they are
Substantial, and cannot be coutroyertcd with
success. AID.
PRESIDENTIAL QUESTION.
The members ut the New York legislature,
after its adjOuInmcn,, met in caucus, and
came unanimously 10 resolution recon
mendinS that a caucus should be held by the
republican members OF Congress or both
Houses, to fix upon one OF the many candi-
dates for the Presidency, as the only plan by
which the Inst resort - The House o. Repre-
scutatives eau he .V0idud-and obsery ing that
New York would only support the candidate
"wbo is democratic republican in principle
and in practice, and whose life aud conduct
turnishihe most unequivocal evidence there
Of"
The course recommended by New York
Will probably be adopted by the other great
states. The large states dread the election
going to the House OF Representatives ; and
there 1t mast so unless some mode be adopt
ed 10 concentrate the votes. No one from
present appearances, can obtain the ma lori y
oil all the votes Of the Union and, in conse-
queDce, the election must be made bv the
House. In that the vote is By states,
each state having one yotc-the state of De-
equal vote with New York, having 81 repre-
sentatives. This is coniornably with the let
tc' OF the constitution, bat not with its spirit,
which contemplated That tue President should
be chosen by the VOTES of the whole people
oil the United States. If, in the last resort,
the decision WAS TO be made by the Joint bal
io'p. both Houses, il would have cunfurmed
better tn the spirit of the constitution, and
would have been less liable 10 corruption
rms Lust resort to the House is the weak part
oil our eXceileat form Of governments and the
rock on which we may be rent TO pieces. 4
CAUCUS does no; bind the people 1t is simply
a recommendation ny our representatives of
the candidate whom they believe most capa
bic Of the high trust. 1t is little subject 10
corruption, emanaing from men in whom
we have placed our confidence and whose
situation enables them, from personal acqusin
lance, :" form Il correct Judgment of the best
character.
M caucus was hsld by the democrats on
the first Contest between 1Ir. Jefferson and
Mr. Adams, and the latter succeeded hy a
small majority. Prinr 10 the second contest.
caucus was hed X enabled the democrats
10 cnnFenira'e taer strength, and they sue
ceeded 10 -iec,ins MIR. Jefferson 1t was well
known al the time that he approved ofthe
Caucus being held. A caucus was held prior
10 his second election. One WAS held to pro
A-'''S '"S ViSSi''u oi wv tiaUiSDl-tn the con
sequence was that the union ofIhe rspub-
Can party was kept entire. and schs,n pre-
vented TIE same course was pursued prior
to Nr. Nj anrpc's election, and with the same
result. IL this last caucus had not been held.
an opposition, Il was found, would have been
made; and, u II bad, would have created a
complete schism in the republican party
Men agree or disagree on the subject ola
caucus, precisely according to their hopes or
fears Few would oppose caucus if they
thought decision would be in favor of their
iaIorite candidate; and | should not be sur
prised To see gentlemen who have been pro.
m'nrnt characters in caucus, opposing the
hoidinS of one next winter. And why Be
cause they may conceive that the nomination
VIII not be agreeable to their wishes. The
candidate who will have the greatest number
OF Votes IN caucus will most probably have
the greatest number ofthe votes of the peo-
pie, but may and will not have a majority Of
the Whole. \ caucus might, and probably
would, make certain 40 election by the PEG.
pie and prevent the great evil of the election
being made by the House of Representatives
4 DEMOCRAT.