Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-09-28

iow-citizens are the sentiments of the people
the pivot on which they turn! No. This general
ticket system requires the intervention of a eau
Gus, sometimes called faction; composed of
such members of Congress who can reconcile il
TO their virtue and patriotism as mcr and states
men; who meet in conclave at w as!,;ngton CITY,
and make selection of persons 20 ill the offices
OF President ana Vice President. This seec-
ton is m,de known to the legislatures of the diff
terent states who IN turn Mold caucus-confir,n
1.-THE nomination made in the CITY of Washington
and pledge themselves for their support. They
then name in each district, All cle..tor who they
know or believe, will support the nomination
appoint central COMMITTEES, committee of cor
respondence IN each county, csy, and borough
This central committee forms ticket contain.
ing the names of the electors that have been
pointed out ny the caucus named by them
selves, Craving that liberty the caucus mis-.
take) aud distributes II To the county commit
tees, the iil-begotten spawn of faction ana in
tiigue.
The central committee Spawned BY the eau
cus) has called upon the citizens OF Virginia to
say in November next, how far the strength of
the republican party is to be broken by minori-
ties' Why Virginia should turn aside from eau
Gus candidates why denou;ice Legislative no.
limitations a sketch of past arrangements,
may afford much light on the subject.
The electors previous to 1903, were compa-
ratiycy without opposition; at least the earliest
opposition TO the caucus system, is seen in that
year; when 81 members only attended the eau
Gus which nominated MIR. Madison; five of
whom declined taking any part in the proceed
| ings. - -
| In opposition TO this caucus there was pub
| lishod a protest, signed by.17 members of con-
gress, inveighing against the impropriety of the
measnre--'' as being in direct hostility to the
! principles of the CONSTITUENCIES a gross as
| sumption of power, not delegated by the people,
N e1p ar tod h.,
cessiy-as an attempt TO produce an undue b
as in the ensuing election of President and Vice
President, and virtually to transfer the appoint
ment of those officers from the people to a maio-
rity of the two houses of congrcss.n
The partially for Mr.. Monroe at that time in
| Virginia, sought his election by the appointment
| of very respectable committee, for the promo
ton of his election. Vain and fruHtless effort
The influence of caucus nomination al w ash
ingten City, over reached a,ld over-poyvered all
opposition. Esteemed as Mr.. Clinton was by
| his fellow citizens and decidedly the choice Of
the powerful state of n. York, he received on
! IL six votes and Mr.. Monroe not one. Thus
did caucus of85 members Of congress, dictate
a President of the United States.
Similar success has attended congressional
| caucus nominations since the period above sta
| ted. With regard 10 the CAUCUS of 1925 it is
| fresh III your memory. Six!y-tive members of
| congress out Of 2S /, encouraged nv former sue
| together in Washington City, and dictate
| President and Vice President to nine millions of
| frac,nen.!!
! This giant stride at power in Republican
government, shoad excite alarm in the bosom of
every trien:i OF national liberty, and produce the
| most decisive exertons To remedy tho evil
| We select men for the PURPOSES of federal le-
| gisiation--a meagre band of them constitute
l Presidential Electors take a silent vote on
| candidates proposed, anl recommend the candi-
| ates selected, under the imposing character of
| Republicans! Are the 65 members ofthe con-
! gressionai caucus OF 1924, the only Republicans
! in that numerous body Or do the remaining
| fe6 feel g secret dread and inward HORROR
which bids them beware of a political systematic
rand, that virtually DISTINGUISHES part OF the
corn nunity, and secures to the other an undue
share ofpoliticai influence?
Hitherto the congressional caucus has iDvari-
ably designated the President and Vice Prcsi-
| dent. This is an alarming consideration. Tn
der the sacred name of Republicanism and Re-
| pub'icans they have united heretofore the power
and will Of the Union, firmly as if no dissent
| ing voice prevailed. Opposition has been re.
garied as apostacy from the Republican ranks
and the state that departs, the individual that
| dssents from such nomination is denounced. Or
| what force Or consequence our boards of E.
iectors? With petty ponp and lo'v rarade. they
meet and ballot for Pr silent and Vice Presi
| dent 1t IS for nolsiit, bal: 10 confirm the
| reign commands of the caucus; who dictates the
csni1ates, and leaves to the Electors the task
| of registering their understandable edicts.
| II is time to pause, to cast retrospective eye
on the part. to look forward to the result. The
alteration of the constitution prevents the dan
ger of any intrigue, by which the intended Vice
| President might be elected President. Aided
by the general ticket and caucus system. the Re-
| publicans have frowned wna all opposition, and
/. now stand divided among themselves. The cir
! cumstances which have been heretofore urged
IL exienuation of there measures, ~ longer cx-
! ISL. Oar candidate; for the presidency are all
| Republicans. and why foresta public opinion BY
| congressional caucus nomination: and CONT
nue. the Iqutous and partial general ticket sys-
| tenn, the inevitable tendency of which. is to
tf,wart the wishes Of one portion at least of the
citizens, whore it prevails, aud aid tue secret
views of The ambitious and designing.
| The constitution OF the y. States expressly
declares, " that no Senator Or Representative
or person holding an Office under the u. States,
shall be appointed an electors AID vet orr
| President AMI Vice President for the last 81
| years, have been virtually elected by two OF tie
| three classes Of men, expressly prohibited by
the constitution from any agency iii this iInPor-
| tant affair.
! a people who owe their liberty to the blood
of patriots, should profit by the experience OF o
theirs, aud remember that corruption works I'M
seen, While the nomination of the chief tnaris-