The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-27
THE CAUCUS SYSTEM.

THE CAUCUS SYSTEM.
1t is currently reported and believed that there
exists among the members of Congress, wltha
few honorable exceptions, course Of procedure
altogether novel in the history Of the Go
yernment, 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 occasions
by both parties in the country previous to the
last summer session. but we believe that as
rigid system of party tactics, the origin and
honor Of its constant use are justly ascribable
to the members of the present Congress.
The practice to which we allude, is that Of
going into a secret party meeting generally al
night, for purely party objects, and deciding by
majority of those present, (the minority
Welding their conscences and judgments, and
Of course, their duties, and rights and respon-
sibilities into the keeping OF the party majority
whenever any question of importance arises
for legislative action, or whenever the Presi-
dent Of the United States submits nomination
to the Senate in which any faction feels into
rested.
This we have reason to believe, nay, to
kaor, was the great engine put in motion by
that party now claiming the 'Independent news
papern 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 elh-
py 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 inquistorIal 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 hneu
the wishes Of the President for its postpone
ment and his unaterable 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 "ilustrous retired" it was pre-
scented under such circumstances, by Wing
Congress, to a rery freacherous President
Truly John Tyler should blush for this act OF
ingrati,ude and treachery to the Wing party
and his friend Mr. Clay. Mr.. Websters let
ter 10 the Massachusetts Senators urged reasons
for its postponement which, with free and dis
CENTRALIZED minds, would have insured co-opera-
pledge had been given in Caucus, and many
stood az hast, ridden by majority, booted ant
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 neve
emerge, tells the country enough to enable it II
dread the inlormer: that the postponement o
the Fiscal Corporation Bill might have been ac
complished if the President had given a pledg
to permit things to remain unchanged IN othe
words, if the President had consented TO par
with all control over his Cabinet, promising t
retain them in office until the re-assembling G
Congress. Yes, 'rhe President" would not guar
antee that he would make no hostile movement
ifthey consented to postpone. " hat is the in
ference from this language? Does il not breath
the spirit of Bolts coffee house epistle? Doe
it not say distinctly, We did pass the Dill, fors
mister purposes; we did strike at the Presiden
and attempt 10 head him, because he ''woul
not guarantee that no hostile movement shoul
be made" yet the President was rery treach,
yrous to Mr.. Clay, the ''retired Cabinet" an
the Wing party, and what is too bad, there al
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
Caucus, to which no President could subm
without the greatest possible degree OF degrad
ton.
The consequences of this Caucus COMM
ment should be well known to, and appreciate
by, the country. The consequence OF folstif
upon the President a weak and puerile measu
is now felt and seen by the country. Shall n
condign punishment be visited on those, the m
licous and rabid spirits of the Wing part
who have brought the cause and the count
in equal distress and disgrace Will I
people submit to have their rights and lntere'
bartered away in caucus7 Will they send pr
lie agents here who yield up the right Of spec
at the dctaton of Caucus, that Caucus &C
trolled by some ambitious Presidential aspirai