The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1824-05-11
Mr.. CRAWFORD.

we nave recently suggested our impression
respecting the present state Of the Presidential
Iquesuon-to wit that no one Of the candidates
from existing appearances, has any prospect Of
being elected by the people The friends Of
Mr.. Crawford first proposed and tor long time
urged method, which if it had been adopted,
might possibly have resulted in ehecting such
cholce- That was, that the friends Of the other
Candidates who were members of Congress a.
mong whom neither had a majority, should
meet with them in caucus and agree TO surren-
oer all their preferences in favour OF that one
who should have plurality and those men,
oers who were in favour of this expedient of
caucus, have always maintained that Mr. Craw-
lord had more friends than either Of the other
candidates In this state of circumstances there
fore, vast majority of the members Of Con-
gress, ascertained before the meeting to amount
to lsl, pronounced itinexpedient to assemble in
caucus tor the purpose of making the desired
nomination-in other words, the friends of 9TH
er candidates refused to relinquish their predi-
lecuons, and agree to sacrifice their claims to
support Mr. Crawford upon the terms proposed :
and among the protestGHtS on this occasion, were
reckoned all those members who had no predi-
lectons whatever, or none which they inclined
TO express, for either of the candidates, and the
number included those who have never been
rePuted TO belong to the republican party. This
amGtgdHatloR was made subject Of complaint
by the members OF the caucus, not as being I'M
constitutional or anti-republican in itself but as
susversive OF party discipline, and incompatible
with those securities which were necessary TO
maintain what was termed the republican ascen-
ddney. Such a majority of those who were stvI-
ed by eminence, republican members, having.
however, persevered in their refusal, under this
construction Of their conduct, and their number
having even increased at the time the caucus
was holden to about $50, out Of sl6 exclusively
democratic republican members, the committee
OF the caucus were justly authorized te con-
clude, that large majority of their brethren
considered that these securities were no longer
necessary and that it was quite superhuous to
provide for perpetuating an ascendancy that was
no longer in jeopardy Those who composed
the caucus were therefore well warranted in ex.
pressing their deep concern respecting the event
OF their meeting in regard to its effect upon pub
nc sentiment. Apart from the striking absurdi-
" OF supposing the force of party discipline to
be capable of exceeding the strength Of party
spirit, there is palpable impossibility in keep
ing up any more than a galvanic action Of the
organs, not only when the anatomy of party has
become morbid, but when the principle of an
lmation has become extinct This was the last
convulsion Of the system and it is improbable
ahot caucus VIII ever De n0lQen DV
members OF Congress for the avowed purpose
OF nominating a candidate for the Presidency.
There is no practice, though ever so strongly
fortified by prescription, or sustained BY any
principle however plausible, that can long with
stand the formidable and indignant frown of
what Mr.. Webster terms the persevering rebuke
ofpublic opinion
Il seems to have been reserved for Mr. Craw-
iord, in the course Of providence, to become the
instrument in destroying this dynasty which fac
ton has essayed 20 settle upon the nation in the
name OF democracy. Washington united. and
Adams and Jefferson divided. the nation with
out caucus. Madison and Monroe would
have succeeded without the aid of such a nom
nation 10 these instances the caucus only
\" Marshalled them the way that they were going. y
Mr. Madison would also have been reelected
without a caucus, which was only made use Of
according TO universal belief, as an instrument
to extort his assent TO the declaration of war
Mr. Monroe was reelected, as indeed he would
have been elected without IFS aid In fact. the
hrst blow that was given TO the system was from
the facility with which it was perceived that il
might be employed TO defeat the sense not on
ly OF the nation but Of the democratic party it.
self, by the near nomination of Mr. Crawford
himself, name then new 10 the nation. in 1916
N@tNFAh1AtA
more, upon the concession Of the editors Of the
National lntelligencer themselves, according to
their opinion truly expressed at that time.
AT this time OF day it can hardly BE- doubted
that the act of Mr.. Crawford friends in persist
ing 10 hold a caucus contrary TO the clearly ex-
pressed opinion of the republican party as well
as the ascertained sense THE nation, interpreted
by the Address Of the Committee, appointed for
the purpose, has done an essential If not an ire
parable injury 70 the cause Of their candidate
IL not only demonstrated the weakness Of his
cause, which might otherwise have been kept
secret-snd consolidated the opposition of the
friends OF all the other candidates who seemed
% have 10 other common bond end thus DESTROY
ing that sort ot popular superstition in bis favour
which bad been kept up with % much success.
Il excited and combined the operation Of a num-
Der Of other causes, which unless a portion Of
them at least canb overcome or obviated, leave
him as little chance as either Of The candidates
TO be chosen by the people and very little pros
Pect Of effectual support in the House OF Rep
resentalives.