Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-15

throuSnout tnr nation hut the events
winch took place in 1916, AT the last caucus
Nomination. together with subsequent discus
sions, have excited, strong apprehension
among the republican party in a majority of
me STATES, that the voice of the people may
he 'nisrepresenttd in such n meeting
we 40 not propose TO enquire whether that
apprehension is So well funded, as To Justify
on that ground, an abandonment of this mod.
ot nomination at the present time. 1t is sul-
ic'rnt Tor us 10 understand that the will of
The people IS the highest political authority.
anu that this maxim applies in its full force, as
wei 10 the organization of party associations
necessary to the public welfare, AS To the cs
constituent of general political compacts
Whatever mode of nominations therefore, re-
ceNes the general assent and appreciation of a
party throughout the na-Jn, although There
may be some obvious defect in its forms. NAV
properly he regarded a. the declaration of m.
popular will at that party, and entitled To be
respected as such but when any mode of no.
ninatl"n ceases not only to meet the general
appreciation of those who of right NAV parti
cipate IN II, but even becomes unacceptable TO
majority of them, it would be contrary 70
every principle of republican policy To main
tam the practice IT would be nothing less than
permitting "a minority To make a nomination
Whici was 10 bind majority who had no par
ticipation in it. Such a procedure il so far
from being entitled to the appellation of re-
publican measure, that ii partakes of all the
essential characteristics of aristocracy.
Guided by these views, which we have no
doubt are M perfect accordance with your 3D.
i'lirai principles, we have carefully endured
INTO, and deliberately considered, as far as we
are able, all the circumstances that ought 10
govern our conduct, IN relation to the nomina-
tion, at this time. of candidates for the Presi-
dency and Vice Presidency of the United
States by a congressional caucus.
| In HE hrst place, we have reason TO believe
That owing To the influence of public opinion
ma majority OF the states, which give a ma.
Jor'y OF electoral votes, the representatives i'm
congress from those states consider themselves
as forbidden to take any part in the proceed
ings of congressional caucus; and in the second
place, That any nomination so made would
ue resisted 10y the republicans in all the states
winch are opposed in principle to the mode
erom TINS II is evident, first that the rcpresen-
taiion IN any caucus which could now he cnn-
fened would not only he more defective than
misrepresentation OF the republican party in
'onSress, nut must consist of a small minority
oil that representation, incomplete as il is and
secondly that any nomination made l.v a mi
nor'ty OF the republican representatives in
congress, being essentially AN aristucratic at
tempt OF few Ia control the many, unsup-
ported Oy any usage or expression at public
opinion 10 give II sanction, would have mn
claim 10 confidence, form no rallying punt Of
union, but inevitably tend TO produce incura
ne dissen'ions in the republican party through
out the nation, which might injuriousy affect
the permanent interests of our country
In addition TO these considerations. there ia
one more immediately connected with the in
'erests OF Pennsylvania, which has not been
WHhout considerable weight in our delibera
ions upon the prOpriety of pedging ourselves
10 ABIDE the decision of any partial meeting
Oh members OF congress that might ATTEMPT a
nomination. The assemblage of such meet
ing being unauthorized by the whole republi
can party, and IFS representation very defec
I'VE the party would neither attempt nor de-
SIRE 10 xeicise any control over its proceed
in8s' which, thus exempted from proper re
spensibllity, would be left to chance, uninhu-
enced by sthe salutary restraints of public
OPINION, and The candidate selected might han
pen 10 he one whose views of national pocv
were Inc most opposed to the interests of
pennsylvania; and if we were TO attend sucb
a meeting, although such candidate were
nominated 10y majority of but single vote.
we should, according To the usage in these
eases become pledged to support him, though
IN opposition to the united voice of orr ron
stltuents. We should be wholly at a loss. in
such an event, TO find any excuse for having
taken step so adverse to your interest, and
SD Incompatible with the obligation which
your confidence has imposed ON us. We have
| therefore, alter the most mature consideration
concluded, that, whether we regard the pre
servation oil the republican party by rigid
adherence to the fundamental principles of re-
publican policy or the great interests of the
American nation, or the more immediate in
| 'erests OF Pennsylvania, it is equally inexpe-
oicnt and improper for us at thus time. as
| republican representa-, es of PENNSYLVANIA
To attend any partial meeting or caucus Of
intmbeTs OF congress to nominate candidates
for the Presidency and Vice Presidency of
the United States
ana In order that you may be fully inform
ell upon this subject, in time TO devise some
mode OF nomination that might be generally
acqniesced IN, we have, 10 obedience To a sense
oil duty 10 those by whose suffrage we i.nld
our seats IN congress, deemed il proper To
make the avOwal of our determinations with
the reasons upon which it is founded.
THOMAS PATTERSON
DANIEL UDREE,
GEORGE PLUMER,
JOHN FiNDLAY,
JOHN BROWN,
S. ID. INGHAM
PATRICK FARRELLY,
JOHN TOD,
THOS J. ROGERS,
ROBERT HARRIS,
JAMES WILSON,
SAMUEL M'KEAN,
ID. n. MILLER,
WIN. FINDLAY
Washington, January 6, 1924
ALBANY, Jan. 6.-The Legislature of this
state conyeres this day at the capitol. The
message of the GOyeTno will he deIiysred IN