Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-10-03
lFRoM THE AUGUSTA, (GEo) coNsrlrurIoSALIsr
THE CAUCUS

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lFRoM THE AUGUSTA, (GEo) coNsrlrurIoSALIsr 7
THE CAUCUS.
IL frequently occurs that a form oi words has so
ouen heen confidently repeated, that finally the ynt
ch'me oil the phrase aepumes certain authority, al
most without reference 10 its absolute import The
com"lp' place denuhc,ation OF u Congressional eau
Gus affords striking example. Ii has been echocd
oh ;" many mouths ana SD many presses, that e, en-
worthy mcn nj ndOent good sense, have alnos lie m
Pe'suf"eu 10 ienu n Their acquiescence As the
SUNSET Is intimately connected with the genus of
Po"'ichi institutions, NJ lew moments may not be uu-
wor'hi!y bestowed on its Investigation. Let us com
msnce by examining those objections to a Caucus
whoh ior some nontns have been Jrunu,ed upon the
punhc ear, with such unreentiug pet ,erance
Inc hrst aud most familiar has unu,,es,ionably n
very popular face. We are told that The ueon!e
should always give spontaneous" votes and iha
'ney VIII certainly be Influenced nv a Cong
iecomme ndl6on. We premise tlnt this is no, ,b.
,sai ground vi dispute, as viii Immediately TIE shewn.
i'u' Tor me present, suppose that IL Who are
me people Are they not the individual iu,s b
Huts oi the country, who receive and even solicit
aUNice, IN the selection Of a lawyer, n physician, a
hierchdn', OF an artist WHAT mystery IN politics
eNenipis them from The operation OF n ptincple
"hch governs all other concerns: To proceed an
o'her step-Conoede ,hat such mystery exists that
no true Trend ul the people will give them advice on
poocai subject. What * the conduct of The OH
Iectots themselves Do tiley SIT uuiey dt home
waing Tor The appuinted day when silent and a.,
mnre, they may depos', ther own ballots IN the box
without interfering with OILERS Or are they not
'''''' NJ
uespaches, subsid'ze presses, found clubs, aud pat
Ion'za pnbiie 'esvi'ies, where their favorite cand-
Oates are baptized and re-btpliaed 10 ever, polc,l
.'qu'i from "hfskcy 10 champagne Such hagrant
inconsistency aiune might e,geRder a iudent DIS
ros', oil their violent passion Tor 80 spontaneous
votes
But IN truth the purpose OF Caucus is hot to Gre
a'e, hu' reconcile pariiaites IL the former we're
Intended, nominations would not he deferred TO a
pehod when predictions have already been formed
ne OBJECT Is materially different. Large parties
,iNe certain general principles ia common but ara
pan'e To be distracted by diversity OF sentiment ON
topics oi inferior importance. These topics often
produce discussions, which endamger principles
themselves When they oaDuoi he reconciled OF this
Kind, 10 the choice of iirsi mag istrate
1ne ruling party may be divided in its preference
ior y hnn holli OF whom nevertheless are worthy
o' contdeuce: another Candidate may be tecid-
ehy objectionable. Shall The majority blindI, I'M
PeHe' by personal sectional ~ eiudces in favor of
and \, incur The risk OF losing 6oh or like rea-
"''"e "'e" concentrate Tier votes upon one, with
oat dspdfasemenl TO the other: TO devise Ill. best
""s " concentration Is the principal function of
SHucuS. compromises ot tbs sort ccDsured on
>! ny nose, who have never reflected The siruc-
uI'e OF human affairs for democracy cannot eveu
e"st without mutual concession. When il IS neces
o"S i0i numbers To Cooperate, every individual can
NOV expect 10 enforce his project bul unite
WIN others at that point, which most nearly APP.
Poic1es 10 the WISHES Of all. Tins is the uniform
pohey OF rational men in ordinary affairs Ii ia an
emergency the crew OF vessel should disagree d.
a. 'io best course 10 be sieered what a notable ex-
s"'i every man night take his own plank, aud Steer
ior himself! When union is essential 10 safety, il
si ne preserved "a the exn"">e or some sacrifices
S"'" SiSss, ~ nom ueIng Immoral, they are hyii-
meroriouS, aud viii he refused unly nv oI,siinacy
VI pu''sa' Too lastdousiy nice, for any practical
purpose
bnt the Conspicuous argument against a Caucus is
us "neged inconsistency with HE Constitution. if
eN's NC rcdiy well iouuded, merits the creates
o'5"'; ana therefore demands careful exan,ina-
uph. It's urged 10y two classes Of persons one of
WHOM Affects yInulr fl. Of
anu Tue other ol the We shall see how CON
ssieni they are, with each other and with Them
soVes.-ni ne former profess deep yeueratou for
'he ihIeiii2ence and virtue of their fellow -ciizeus
VINO are idiiy qualified to seiect u candidate wbout
lhe inierposHon OF oticiuus advice they are iudig
nam mat these good qualities should be INSTRUCTED
ny members oi Congress, whose imsdious conIIi-
Vance OF Caucus virtually excludes us from the
choice OF President. tn. Constitution they say
recognizes no such body BE II So Does dat in
sWumfnt Recognize public dinuere, conventions at
Gross roads, aud street corners, town aud neighbour
hoou meetings, or 10 SHORT, any of those ten Ilou-
s'uu MEANS casual or coOtrWed, by which the pablie
mind IS influenced No! Yei who ever dreamed
,''i"' 'Hey were unconstitutional Blu these assem-
oages we are told consist of the peope themselves
Indeed Aud vino are Congressman? Are ihey TO
ne Icckooed beneath all Others, or foi sooih has the
WORK OF our ow1 bands Jecome too great, To be IN
enJed within that broad and magnificent appel.liou
- ihr People Z! Every Republicans must contsnu
the very thought Of such determinations Are we
sui"Ci'o'y humble 10 set OR public servants above
common privileges Of citzeUshp? Apart from Their
peculiar dues they the same footing wlili ali
onr's, ana have neither less right 10 exei-
sise 'heir influence. But their influence we are in.
Iormeu IS 50 great that its exercise cannot be safely
pe'mmted. BY whdi new criterion then, are we TO
distinguish, between degrees, thar are lawful and mn.
'n",nI Is r'nh Tie proper lest! Can Justice OF
me me eace recommend ihOdgh Judge must abstain
shri The Corporals aud Scrgeanfs speak ont the
L'e1en'nls aul Captains whisper their prediction
me 'e" Oihceis nod II While the Generals remain
4 .fn n. IL
40 inverted scale Of intellect shall nutorions so,e
IONS babb'e without slut, because nobody will re
s'H them aud men of repufed UNDERSTANDING pre-
serve -iiehce lest others should adopt their opluiou
'"'n'ng Dat the gravity WITH which IL has been IT.
ferrd, could Tor nI1GIeui have protected such a 40
phltiiy iFOm universal ridicuic
Inc Constitution declases Congressman and those
wa" h"d pihcrs Oi profit and under tie govern
men, lneligible as primary eecinrs Of President
800 some stress his been laid on thai circumstances
~" pei son indeed denies that according TO me letter.
iheY Frin iho right of voting for Electors and con.
SCI 7"tN 'he common privilege Of eudeayo,ing "
maze 'hcT votes rhscind, hy obtaining ~ ipry on
tei on SIDE Enf The ariirle IA If 4. main.
U"nF,'' EOntriies rhnt tic sPiru of The COnsntu-
uon hishrposss CoHgrt sstOual influence IL IS IN
"sofsN''y 70 d'ate on the manifest injustice. Of thus
stf' mug bl construction, law ubcn already d,.
nhnshcs tue privileges OF q cruzeu Tie subject q.
cNinHttd ~ its irue light, by q sfUiuo pert,saI a. to
"""ie 1rrcl'. II tie mere influence OF Congress.
men ~ Tcpngnant 10 The spirit of the Constitution
VIZ arc these same members Of Craures. made elc
Ve'y electors ~ Prrideni and Vic@ President when.
eve The primuJ cloruon his failed; II ccra,ol,
W. Mt heyopd The wisdom wluch framed lh.t H.!
s''irfnt, 10 desis oihct proyisnn ~ cues at
tUrr, u Congressional rrcrcy had teen con-. ,lrred
50 dcleiefinus ~ The olileciurs prrteud Amd even
"Janinng for argument = spke, fit the substitute WAS
alnpteu rOm sheer md iamobiHbe necessity ONO
U'ng A. lcasi Is n'ipIhle according hcr owe ptr-
COZ uHi q n"mtrS'ion y incumpNahy pfcietible
10 80 elccton by Congress, and may therefore ~n
PfCp.iey be employ 81 Cos iis prevention.
~ hds dready heru shewn, that Tue Object ola
locus fecomme nd1 i0H IS not TO cIeaic rnrimltrs