Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-06

perishab!e--it would enable him to tread the
sbadowy vale of death, without fear or trem-
bling. Standing on this sure foundation, un-
seduced by ambition, whose giddy heights h.
had never essayed, as far as it concerned his
; personal views, he was above, and he reioic.d
IN ms attitude. every change in politica
OPINION and, IT the government he honestly
administered, he cared not by what hands,
: ear tn whom were distributed the Iuayes and
fishes.
Mr.. SMITH, of Nd said, he should vute
!, against an indefinite reinforcement. The
state of Maryland, said he, has instructed IFS
Senators TO use their best endeavors to obtain
sucn an amendment 10 the constitution as will
ensure uniform mode of election, through
out the United States, of President and Vice
President. The district mode is preferred hy
that state, which meets my concurrence and
shall vote for any of Ibe resolutions that
VIII he most likely TO succeed, and will as
sure that mode. Having entered, Yesterday.
INTO my reasons on the subj. ct, will not again
trespass on the time of The Senate. by repe,i-
non. Mr. President, | had 10 nten-
lion q .cakinS on he subject again, nor
shov . 1, hut FOR an observation made NV the
honorable gentleman from South Carolina,
or. Hnyne.) He has said, that was the
FIRST who introduced the word caucus into
| the discussion. WHY this observation ? For
what purpose ? Was it any way necessary or
useful 10 his argument
Mr.. HAYNE explained. He certainly meant
nothing unkind towards the genllrmnu.-
hegret had been expressed, that this word had
been used and he had merely observed,
ne nriic'ed that II had first been used by the
gentleman from Maryland.,v
Mr.. SMITH resumed Mr.. President
feel perfectly confident that the gentleman
enter'alns no uniriendy feeling towards mr.,
personally hut, as the remark had been
made, am unwilling that the discussion of
subject so unproftable that | feel mortified
AT IT'S helng introduced, and so little COMFORT
ing with the dignity of the Senate, should be
attributed to me regret that the honorable
gentleman from New York MIR King,l should
have deemed IL proper tn introduce it, IL is
true, that he qualified il by new name
central power" However, either my ears
deceived me, or heard him use the word
Caucus, and one member opposite took il
down but, whether ne did or not his meaning
was perfectly understood and, il used it, it
was because wished To give il The known
name wished 10 call spade, q spade.
When first introduced, | considered il as
accidental and treated it lightly, as though,
1t merited. But, sir, The second speech of The
'ntrodncer, and the elaborate view taken by
HE honorable gentleman from South Carolina.
have given 10 ii form and substance. Effect
seems now 10 he contemplated, and we must
meet il as we best can.
lam not surprised at the course taken by
the non. gentleman from ;;out Carolina III.
was ioo young to know the extreme difficult
ties the republican party had to encounter.
isF.tdS!he dangers it has been exposed to by at
tempts calculated In create schisms, that might
nave, by dividing, exposed il Ia great danger:
winch, IN my humble opinion, have been main
ly obviaied and avoided by the caucus sys-
tenn. Nor am at all surprised af The on
position 10 IL by the honorable gentleman f ON
New York, (Mr. King.) That gentleman was
a leading chief of the federal party, and he. M
doubt, thinks, what know and believe. thar.
owing to the caucus system, his party was
prestra ed, and the republican party brought
into power by which change, firmly b, =
lieNe, and every republican does believe, thai
the nation has greatly benefited. adhere to
that which has rendered such essential service
TO my country, and the party to which | be-
long. The bridge which has carried me safe
over call good bridge. The caucus sys
tenn has heretofore been app oy ed Iattpnticd
several, was President at One-and consis,en-
cy of conduct called imperiously on me 10 at
tend that lately held and which has met with
the disapprobation of the two grnllrmrn. Ii
| appears also, 10 have met with the dispIpas-
~
served III caucus more than once Well. sir.
they have their reasons, such as are satisE,cto
| ~ 10 themselves, with which have nothing
L" DO. That OF being cOnscentiuusly against
! it they cannot offer. There are certainly
some, who think the system wrong on prinri-
pie. The gentleman from South Carolina
has said so; but their numbers, among politi
clans, are few. have not met with many.-
May we not, without offence, believe, that
men are much governed by the consideration
OF whether The caucus will or will not support
their favorie candidate And must we not
believe, that those who have heretofore al
tended caucuses, will find ii difficult 10 assign
any other reason for absrnting themselves
rom that which they now censmre Indeed
Mt. President, must think, that it had "A
powerful Influence, although, perhaps. I'M
known TO themselves. I mean no rt1gctio g.,
on any one; but form my opinion from man.
as he is constituted.
| will now, Mr.. President. take view of
the Caucus system, as il has operated, and. I
trust, shall he able TO skew that it has ena-
bltd the Republican party TO nIorut into pow p
tr[and has tended, mainly, TO maintain them
w ". upon this theme act as Il party man,
ana nave no hesitation in saying. that wish
20 Keep my party in power; that believe
the caucus system is the most rfTectual
means; and that, when we cease to use il. we
snail thcreby deprive ourselves of one most
powerful instrument Divide and Conquer, is
as old as history keep together, you cannot
be subdued.
/ Mr. President On the FIRST contested rlrc-
ton, between MIR. Adams and Mr.. Jcirrson.
Mr.. Adams succeeded by Il believe) n
small majority. II was believed that his sue
cess was owing 10 want Of coniuned effort.
concentration Of lurcc, on the part of thc
I friends Of Nc JpU