Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-20
RxCEINI0ND:
FRIDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY %, 1924.
THE WASHINGTON CAUCUS.

assembled in the Hall Of Representatives and fer
some preliminary steps, proceeded to the
ofsuitabe individuals to fill the Offices of President
and icc-Prcsdsnt of the United States We re-
fer 0ur readers for the Of the members prescnt
and for the proceedings of the evening" to two ari-
rles rcPublshed i.on the intelligencer and Repub-
iican.
The intelligence from this meeting has been re-
ecive'l very diferectly by different ndividuals.-
he most rejecting and candid of Mr.. Crawlord's
friends, view it with chagrne and rcgyct-his cnc-
mics, particularly the friends Of M Clay, view il
with rSultltion, as the herald of Mr.. Crawford's
fall, and the harbinger of his own clevation-1'he
deSperado.s of the party; men who are ready aud
willing to so all lengths to subscrve their chef-to
whom the constitution opposes barrier, and dis
cretion no prudential consideratons-they alone
affect to receive it the of the Congress of
the United States, and to obey it as the declared
VIII of the people. Even their modification, hardy
ana inscuSac as they are, may be discovered under
the forced chcerfulness with which they attcmpr To
conceal II. The National Intalgenccr and Rich
inond Enquirer, whose editors, like Rasclass Astro-
nomcr, in their hearts consider themselves as the
most important perSonages in this country the dis
pcsers Of its oces and the directors of its dcsti-
mics, these gentlemen by various spacuatcns and
statements had endeavored to prepare their readers
Tor the catastrophe of this caucus. They had re-
minded then, that there were forty fcder;,li,,s
IN Consress--that large majority of members
we're of opinion that II was insxpcdcpt al this time
TO enter into CaucnS--and that Mt. monroe in 1916
was nominated to the Presidency by s2y-iiye votes
only. Having thus purged the lists of lao men,
be. $, who were unfayarabe their candidate, they
seriously conclude that the remaining 80 are COM
p'tcnt to ting duty of nominating President, or in
other words matLg President for TIE people of
the L. States (for if the means any tling,
1t means this) and inculcatc upon the Republican
party, the 'sity of acq,icscns in the non,ina-
ton None but fools can BE- g;i!led by such
wre'chcd and contemplate sophiSt,y-nonc but
men vino arc rcd hot with party zeal. would at
tempt tn Justify the measure by rca sonirg so weak
and prcpo ferrous. But let US examine the grounds
upon which the caucus at Washington is d.icn,eI
more in detail
In the first place the Editors Of ;hc ENQUIRER have
told us three different Ii nci. that M Moncno in
1916, was nominated by sixtv five votes only---and
as Mr. Crawford in 1924 Is CT ergo Mr.. C.aw!or,,s
nomination is valid that of ,ir. Mou:oa---In the
hsst place then, the census of 1929, has added be-
tween 50 and 40 new members to the two Houses IF
Congress Il believe morc) AID consequently G0, does
not bear the same proportion - the whole number
now, that ID did then-adrli.ing therefore. thar
MI Monroe nomination valid one, which
would only admit through courtesy, ii by.no means
follows, that having regard to numhcrs alone
Mr. Crowtords nomination can DC esteemed so----
In the second place, tine whole number Of Federal
lists IN Congress nor, is less than the whole number
ing the Increased numbers of that body, and conse-
quently the numbers of members entitled to 90 into
caucus now, arc much larger iii proportion 10 the
whole number of members of Congress than was
the case then. The number of Fcderaists has been
estimated at 45--for the sake Of round numbers we
will make them So Deduct Their these gentlemcu
whoit seems are entitled to voice in the matter,
and 30 will be the remainder. In 1916, 65, the
number that supported Mi. Monroe, was Il B,uurity
81 ne Tisoie Republican party in Congress Let
US adopt this rule now, and it will require 10 to
constitute ma ority of Republicans in Congress,
or to make nomination which, upon the principles
that the Enquirer ITSELF has adopted is entitled to
any weight OF consideration.
But why OH this question, is the voice of the Fee
dcrasts to be stihed enquire only for imforma-
ton; because have no objectson to the determine
ton. Ibey were excluded very properly, from all
former caucuses, because they then formed hos
! tile party, against whom, the very measure itself
was directed. They could not therefore be enter
tanned at meeting, called together for the express
purpose OF establishing concert endharmony among
their adversaries, and of retaining themselves in the
conquered situation to which they had with so much
difficulty been reduced. But surely things have
greatly altered oflate. The Federasts no longer
constitute an adverse party in the countryside
late caucus was called with view of opposing "a
efforts of theirs obtain the Presidency--they
have amalgama1ed completely with their 70 rincr
rivals, insomuch that no man now knows a Fede-
ralist by his opinions by his public conduct
theyr have become, Hume said of the lowland
Scots, The best subjects his ajcsty has"---Upon
what principles of party policy, expediency or e.
guilty thcn, the Federal gentlemen excluded from
| caucus But be il so.
friend has politely favored us with Bells
Weekly Mess niger of December 28th, from
which we copy the following interesting ex-
tracts on the Presidents Message. The com
pliments paid 10 country, so Justly meritei
indeed, but SO rarely bestowed by the British
Public must be gratifying TO every American
How much is their valor enhanced by their
coming from quarter SO disintercsted, and
so competent to decide, as Bells London Mes
senger! That paper has always proved itselfthe
true representative of the old English Wbie
feeling. Amidst all the late storms which agi-
tate Europe, from the elevation Of its inteerit v.
1t surveyed events with a sagacity which was
seldom deceived, and advocated the common
rights OF mankind with a zeal and intrepidity,
that neither feared or slept. Under all crcum-
stauccs ii has done full justice to the American
character, and it is the only Journal in Europe
OF which the same can be said. According TO
the spccuIatons of its editor, we have nothing
to fear from the 'sInfcrnal Alliance.n Every A.
mcrican's pride had told him tic same before,
but we are pleased to learn that the suggestions
OF national pride, are confirmed by the sober
judgment ofdismterested wisdom.
"1De third point in The Spr. Il Is, ,oI,erc the Pre-
side1t asserts, she o,ees ii TO ca,dor &C. 10 declare
that, HE United States a0o,dd consider am crHeupt
no lie part of European monarchies to extend their
System TO any portion Of he ,oestern hemisphsre,
dangerous 10 their peace and safety;" that, g wifh
TIC eCtstt'lg coionits depeHdencies Of any Euro
bIsrc ooJ sogsr and ,,;H