Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-07-02

SlgneQ 10 reIOrNu Vi TcfoiutonA1S sA'S
constitution, is to suppose, that the Ia
Their of his country was careful to warn
his children against lesser evils, and
had no care to guard them against the
greater, more formidable and more
convulsing.
Mr.. Mercer seems to be as sensible
as am Of the influence Of example and
precedent on the affairs of men Git is,
indeed, amazingly; and he taxes his
memory to adduce examples, approx.
ed by the practice and Judgment OF
mankind, that may afford some color
of authority or apology for the pro-
iected convention at Stanton. LetuS
bestow moments attention on the
precedents on which he does not, as
we'll as those on which he does rely
He will not refer to the permanent instl-
tutions, erected for religious or char7ta-
Die purposes; nor TO those democratic
societies which l have just noticed
He thinks it not necessary that he
should, and yet he does, in fact, seek
for precedents in those numerous poll
teal clubs or caucuses for carrying a
favorite candidate or measure. He pro-
fesses to 'refer to every case, where
those who feel, or think they feel, a
grievance, have a common interest to
promote; to all transient assemblies
6 for the relief of the poor or the unfor-
tunate; to every association for get
ting up or promoting a public i'm
provement, road or CANAL and to
the meetings among the Roman Catho-
lies of Ireland, 'to ascertain the extent
of their grievances, and to petition
Parliament for redress These are
his examples; and to make them TIT
the purpose, he supposes, that the only
objection to the principle Of the Staun-
ton Convention, is founded on the ex-
clusion of political adversaries from
any share in its deliberations +; consi-
Iteration, which was indeed urged, but
it was one of the least of the objections
that was urged. With respect to as
sociatlons for religious or charitable pur-
poses: if religious associations should
demand any thing beyond mere tolera-
ton and protection, if they should ever
presume to speak in the language OF
defiance or remonstrancc, or to NEEDLE
with affairs of state at all, l should not
hesitate to call them iacobin clubs of
the most malignant kind, and have not
the least apprehension, that they could
withstand the public indignation for
moment. Charity is too cold virtue
to animate men with any dangerous
zeal; nor have ever known, or heard,
or read of but one charitable associa-
ton, which manifested disposition to
interfere with any great interest OF So
ciety; and if the association | allude to,
shall at any time venture to carry its
principles into action, it will not find in
the purity of its motives and the bene-
violence ofits zeal, any excuse for its fol-
ly or apology for its guilt. There is
one mode Of election OF a college Of Of
ficers, to elect another officer, Of the
federal government, which q OWN l
can see no method of conducting, with
out nomination by the respective par
ties, each OF its own candidates; but
such caucusses are not associations to
direct, control, counteract or a,ce, the con-
stituted authorities, but only to supply
a constituted authority. AS to caucus
es, composed of members of legislative
bodies, especially il these be confedera-
ted with others not regularly entrusted
with legislative powers by the people,
and combined "to establish unity of
sentiment and of correspondent action
among themselves" impart yigor
to their operations" "to confirm the
harmony and increase the number OF
their friends" and "to sound appeals
so distinct and audible, as to procure a
Just respect for their rights" Opinions
or wishes; presume, it will be agreed
on all hands, that such caucusses are
jacobn clubs, formed on the true French
revolutionary model. l hope they have
not been either numerous or efficient. l
have nothing to say concerning those
other associations specified by MIR.
Mercer, whether permanent or transient,
for the relief of the poor or unfortunate,
or for getting up public improvement,
a road or canal. Hitherto, these have
never approached the legislature for
any other purpose but to solicit incor-
poration or aid; and l hope never to
see the day, when disdaining the gentle
language of petition ormemorlal, they
shall assume the holder tone of remon-
STRANGE. l never expected to see the
religious and political dissentions, or
the conduct of either party, in Ireland,
held up as examples to justify any pro-
ceeding in this country. That unhappy
people, for more than thirty years,
have been distracted by those associa-
tions and counter-associations, of uni
ted Irishmen and Orangemen, promo
tiers of Catholic emancipation and Pro-
testant exclusionis,s, and by all the
IN