Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-14
From The National IutcIfgencer, March 10.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

adv
forth :he opinions Of those who assemble to con-
.np we have supposed caucus recommends
lions of persons for high public stations unob.
iec,;onable, on the score Of principle. We be-
i;,ye that opinions, expressed by such assem-
bles. are entitled TO all the respect that is due
10 the characters and standing Of those by whom
thew are expressed, and TO no more or higher
resnect. In this light, we highly approved the
omen and frank nomination Of Mr. CRAWFORD
and Mr.. GALLATIN, for the Presidency and Vice
Presidency. previous to the last election, one
Of the most honorable and virtuous acts of pub
lie du,v ever performed by an assembly OF indi-
yiduas. Considered in this aspect, Caucus
is blu, another term for Public Meeting, whose
proceedings are Of greater or less authority, &C
cording to the character and standing OF those
who compose IL.
To the principle of Caucus recommendations
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 or periodically,
10 determine the fate of great public concerns,
not upon their merits, but upon other principles;
which is composed Of persons selt-aPpoin,ed, OF
whom some individual must always be the "mas-
ter-spirit," to give impulse and direction to
q. whole; which is held under the cover OF
night, and obligations OF secrecy; whose hat Is
felt before it is revealed; whose influence is Vi
sible at noon-day, without any one being able to
tell whence it cometh, or whisher II goeth-
Such a Caucus, as far as it is brought to bear
upon men, will hardly gain by comparison With
the reprobated Inquisi,ion Of Old Spain. The
rack and the torture are not among its imple-
ments, but there are others OF equal malignity;
and be thai- hath hui The iinse- nf hsssss5s
Grand Inquisitor, or have an opinion OF his
own, viii experience their infection. If the
mower were equal to the will, no man who dar-
ed TO think for himself would escape political
damna,ion We should be treated with Crane
auto da E a. least once in erery four years.
We shall have arrived at dangerous crisis,
indeed, of our national existence, il ever such
"concentration'' as this, aiming 10 WELD the
powers Of this Government by unlawful agen-
cies, shall extend its operations from men to
measures and undertake to determine, in its
nocturnal conferences, the fate OF great ques-
tons Of legislation, by considerations relative,
not to their merits, but by considerations Who'll
ly foreign 10 their merits. Dark will be our
destiny, if such usurpation be ever submitted
to. Signalized in history will be his name,
which is identified with such conspiracy a.
painst the public veal Honored Si be his
name who shall come forward and expose it.
Let US hope that that day is far distant when
there would be any ground for such an EXPOSE
ton. But, when we see the boldness with which
some Of the objects Of these Caucus Statesmen
are already avowed, we have much 10 fear from
their success. The elections made, and their
choice secured, the same means can hardly fail
to be employed 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 re-
minds us of a paragraph in the Richmond En-
quirer, Of Tuesday last, in which il is used-be-
ing the very day on which we first committed
it to paper.
'"We understand (says the EHquircr) that the
Administration are falling to pieces at Washing
ton The public sentiment Is rising stronger
and stronger against them, The ominous signs
ofthe times canno, be mistaken. The majority
ofihs late Senate is against them"
The Enquirer goes on to express its exuheran,
is due to the ankness 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 inferences which they do not warrant
Still less shah state fact any thing which do
not personally Know. We wish, therefore, TO be
distinctly understood As gvngno authority Of ours to
what runor says, when state it as common report
that regular weekly Caucus was held, during the
last session, and particularly during the latter part Of
it, composed of Members ofthe Opposition, at which
some one of the number presided and another acted
as Secretary; that when thus formally organized, pub
lie questions were there DISCUSSED with reference to
their political expedency, and their bearing on the
Presidential election; and that regular votes were tax
en-, the whole body considering itself bound by the
rHfff shall mi md
to name the place of meeting, much less the number
or names ofthose who attended. 1t is said, however
that all these particulars susceptible Of proof
Nevertheless, 1T Mr.. BExroS, Mr. DIcxrnsox, Mr..
RowAs, any other of the respectable gentlemen Who
belong to the party, will give his word of honor that
no such meetings were held at any time during the
session. or for any purpose, we shall with heartfelt
pleasure contradict the whole story, and indicate the
Opposition from 50 gross calumny as if false. this
would be-