American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1827-04-20
Volume vi.
FROM THE NATIONAL IN1ELLIoENcER.
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tending to an authority over public sentiment, we
have never been either the advocates or defenders
As mode of setting forth the opinions of those
who assemble to consult, we have supposed caucus
recommendations Of persons for high public sta
tons unobjectonabe. on the score of principle
We believe that opinions, expressed by such assem-
bies, entitled to all the respect that is due 10
the characters and standing of those by whom tn y
are expressed, and to no more higher respe. {,
In this light, we highly approved the open a, d
frank nomination of Mr.. CRAWFORD and MIR.
GALLATIN, for the Presidency and Vice Presiden-
cy, previous to the last election, as one of tie
most honorable and vrtuous acts Of public duty
ever performed by assembly of individuals -
Considered in this aspect, Caucus is but another
term for Public Meeting, whose proceedings are
of greater less authority according to the char
acter and standing of those who compose it.
To the principle of Caucus concentrations or
resolutions, intended to control majorities by the
force Of political combinations, we are, and ever
have been, decidedly averse. There is species
of Caucus, however, which We regard in a much
more serious light than even those last mentioned
We refer to that description of Caucus which is
held, whether at stated times periodically, to
determine the fate of great public concerns, not
upon their merits, but upon other principles J;
which is composed of persons sef-appointed, Of
whom some individual must always he " the mas
ter-spirit," to give impulse and direction to the
whole; which is held under the cover of night,
and obligations of secresy; whose fiat is felt be-
fore it is revealed whose influence is visible at
nuon-day, without any one being able t" tell
whence it cometh, Or whittier il goeth. Such a
Caucus as far as it is brought to bear upon men,
will hardly gain by comparison with the repro
bated Inquisition OF Old Spain. The rack and
the torture not among its implements, but there
are others of equal malignlty and that hath
but the tinge Of heresy about him, so far as to
doubt the infallibility of the Grand lnquistor,
have an opinion of his own, will experience their
infection If the power were equal to the will,
no man who dared to think for himself would es-
cape political damnation. We should be treated
with grand auto de s at least once in every four
years.
We shall have arrived at dangerous crisis, in
deed, of our national existence, if ever such a
" concentration" as this, aiming to WELD the pow
ers of this Government by unlawful agencies shall
| extend it's operations from men to measures. and
undertake to determine, in its nocturnal coneren-
ces, the fate OF great questions OF legislation, by
considerations relative, not to their merits, but by
| considerations wholly foreign to their merits
Dark will be our destiny, if such usurpation be
ever submitted to. Signased in history will be
his name, which is identified with such conspi-
racy against the public veal. Honored will be
his name who shalt come forward and expose it.
Let us hope that the dav is far distant when
there would be any ground for such an exposition.
But, when we see the boldness with which some
of the objects of these Caucus Statesmen are al
ready avowed, we have mach to fear from their
success. The elections made, and their choice
secured, the same means can hardly fail to be EN-
ployed to perpetuate their power which were used
to acquire its
| With these preliminary remarks, we proceed to
further consideration of the signs of the times !;
the repetition of which expression reminds US Of
arh.n tho Pich IF
day last in which it is used--being the very day
on which we first committed it to paper.
eve understand (says the Enquirer) thar the Admins.
tation falling to pieces at Harrington. The public
sentiment is rising stronger and stronger against them
The omnous signs Of he Hmes cannot be mistaken The
majority efne late Senate is against them"
The Enquirer goes on to express its exuberant
Joy at this news, being very earnestly, and very
conscicntiously. no doubt, engaged in the very
laudable task of putting down the Administration,
wright or wrong. 1t is no wonder that Sc at Wash
ngton'' 6 the public sentiment is rising stronger
and stronger against Them" when we learn from,
the &C organ'' at New York, that there has been a
" concentration" of it here. The signs Of the
times are I" ominous" enough, we agree, and we
do not think they can well .'be mistaken" We
are not as confident the Enquirer that the " ma
jority of the late Senate is against them" but the
Enquirer is not far wide Of the mark, as, in two
preceding essays, we have shown. We are glad
to have SO good an authority to confirm what we
.t is due TO the frankness Of these structures, that we
should keep nothing back from readers We are far
from being disposed TO draw, from facts which are KNOWN
any differences which they do not warrant Still less shall
we fact any thing which we do not personally
know. We wish, therefore, to be distinctly understood
giving authority of ours to what rumor says when we
state it as report, that regular weekly Caucus
vas held, during the last session, and particularly during
the part it, composed of Members OF the oppos.
ton at which some of the number presided ADD
another acted Secretary; that when thus formally
organized. public questions there discussed, with
reference their political expedency, and their bearing
on he Presidential elections and that regular