The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-28
THE CAUCUS SYSTEM.

THE CAUCUS SYSTEM.
1t is currently reported and believed that there
exists among the members of Congress, with a
few honorable exceptions, course OF procedure
altogether novel in the history of the Go
vernment, at least not dating farther back than
the extra session of ever-glorious memory
We do not mean to say, that the caucus has
not been resorted to upon particular oc casions
by both parties in the country previous to the
last summer session, but we believe that as a
rigid system of party tactics, the origin and
honor of its constant use are justly ascrlbable
to the members of the present Congress.
The practice to which we allude, is that OF
going into a secret party meeting generally at
night, for purely party objects, and deciding by
majority Of those present (the minority
Welding their consciences and judgments, and
of course, their duties, and rights and respon-
sibilites into the keeping of the party majority
whenever any question of Importance arises
for legislative action, or whenever the Presl-
dent of the United States submits nomination
to the Senate in which any faction feels lnte-
rested.
This we have reason to believe, nay, to
hcno,p, was the great engine put IN motion by
that party now claiming the 'Independent news
paper" for their organ during the extra session
to "head Captain Tyler" Under its malevo-
lent and grinding influence, the last Bank Bill,
without reflection, in spirit OF party insanity
the majority of the party then consisting OF eth
CIV Wings, was passed through the two Houses
1t was knomn to many leading men IN Congress
that the President was anxious that the :" Fls-
cal Corporation Bill'' should not be permitted
to pass, vet under the controlling pledges ex-
changed in the secret inquisitorlal chamber the
Wing members of the lower House pushed II
through that body, under the previous question,
in As hours from the time OF its inception IN
committee. Nearly the entire Senate knew
the wishes of the President for its postpone
ment and his unalterable resolution to veto
the bill if presented in an unamended form
and vet under the deadly influence of the
Caucus system in that body, at the head
aud front of which presided Mr.. Clay
and the "iIustrious retired" it was pre-
sented under such circumstances, by Wing
Congress, to rery treacherous President
Truly John Tyler should blush for this act Of
ingratitude and treachery to the Wing party
and his friend Mr.. Clay. Mr.. Webster's let
ter TO the Massachusetts Senators urged reasons
for its postponement which, with free and dis
enthralled minds, would have insured co-opera
ton from the Wing party. But the solemn
Il koJ r;v in and ms
stood aghast, ridden by a majority, booted ane
spurred for mischief into fathomless quag
mire, without the liberty to oppose.
Mr.. Ewing in his famous letter upon going
into that retirement from which an Infamous re-
vealer of pretended Cabinet secrets can never
emerge, tells the country enough to enable 1t tt
dread the informer: that the postponement o
the Fisca! Corporation Bill might have been &C
complished if the President had given pedg'
to permit things to remain unchanged ; in othe
wor,ls, if the President had consented to par
with all control over his Cabinet, promising t.
retain them in Office until the re-assembling o
Congress. Yes, 'the President" would not guar
aptee that he would make no hostile movement
if thew consented to postpone. W hat is the IN
ference from this language Does it not breathe
the spirit of Bolts coffee house epistle? Doe
it not say distinctly, We did pass the DILL, iorsl
mister purposes we did strike at the President
and attempt TO head him, because he " woul'
not guarantee that no hostile movement SHOULD
be made" yet the. President was rery tredche
rous to Mr.. Clay, the "retired Cabinet" an
the Wing party, and what is too bad, there ar
many honest men in the country who have bee
imposed on to that extent, to believe all this
The above condition was doubtless agreed on i
Caucus, to which no President could subm
without the greatest possible degree of degrade
ton.
The consequences of this Caucus commi
ment should be well known to, and appreciate
by, the country. The consequence of fostin
upon the President weak and puerile measu'
is now felt and seen by the country. Shall nj
condian punishment be visited on those, the mi
licious and rabid spirits of the Wing part,
lI Vof