The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-07-18
W AS HI N G I @ n.
THURSDAY EVENING, JULY IS. 1874
A NEW STAGE OF THE PROGRESSIVE
DEMOCRACY-THEB EHESTS OF PAR
TY SUPREME-THE PENALTY OF DIS

1
OBEDIENCE.
There is no knowing where the Progressive
Democracy" may be found three or six months
hence. A few years ago it was the custom of
that party, and is now in some quarters, to de-
nounce " caucussing," utterly incompatible
with Democratic principles. BY caucussing" is
understood the holding of conventions to nomi-
nate candidates; and such was the adherence of
Democrats of the old school to the practice, that
many of them not merely dissented from the pro-
priety of such management" but actually re-
fused to participate in it. Such was the case
with Mr.. Macon, of North Carolina, of whom the
Locofocos are wont to boast great pillar of
/" Democracy" But in the present whereabouts
of the Progressive Democracy" Mr.. Macon, if
alive, would be pointed at as monster by the
organ of the party in this city. The editor of the
Globe lays down his imperial ukase as follows:
Party organization has become perfect sys-
tenn by general consent, (although without the
guide of written rules, or the aid of penal sane
tions to enforce IT'D the regularly established
order of government, with all the power of con-
stitutional legislation and Executive authority to
support it. Such is the effect of patriotic en-
lightened public opinion, that no man can, with
out sacrificing himself as public man, set at de-
hance the will of the party, expressed through
the usual channels of conventions [caucusses1
formed by delegates chosen in voluntary meet
ngs Of the friends of the common cause. The
man who attempts to defeat the purposes resolved
on in the conventions [caucusses] thus originating
in the party suffrage, or the nominations of can
dldates for Office to give effect to the party's
views, is always looked upon as one who would
sacrifice public cause to his own selfish, inter-
ested aims, and he forfets forever the confidence
and favor of the stern and patriotic men whose
disinterested zeal for the common good, and the
maintenance of principles essential to it, always
sways the great mass of party"
And yet, good reader, Nathaniel Macon was
one of these refractory, independent candidates
who would never obey the will of caucus, aud
consequently the Globe would apply to him, as
he has elsewhere done to the " independent can
didates" here spoken Of, the epthet "monster."
The editor of the Globe having thus lain down
the general principle that whoever disobeys the
behests of the party which he, as its organ, may
think proper to dictate, will subject himself to the
ban of prescription, proceeds to apply it to GER
tain independent Locofoco candidates in Illinois
1t seems that the Hon. John Reynolds will run
"upon his own hook, in opposition to the Hon.
Robert Smith, the present member, who has been
nominated by caucus for reelection, and also
that the Hon. Wickliffe Kitchell will oppose the
regular nominee, the Hon. Orlando Fickn-
These Independents and their friends consti-
tuting, perhaps, majority of the people, are
ruthlessly denounced by the Globe as selfish
seekers after their own personal emolument for
daring to oppose the will Of caucus. 1t is true
that the puissant editor says some patronizing
things to Mr.. Reynolds, but he is given distinctly
to understand that, unless he wthdraws his oppo-
sltlon to the regular nominee, his head must
come off The editor says
"Gov. Reynolds has always been favorite
with US. Mr.. kitchel we do not know person.
any, out II they were both as dear to us as the |
dearest brothers IN love, we would discard them
as canuluales when opposing the union of the
party IN striking at its regularly nominated cam
didates, especially in crisis like this, when fed
eralism is making death-struggle under the in
structon of its most desperate and danueroue
leader"
The editor proceeds to intimate that the pre-
sent delegation from Illinois is good enough for
the people of that State, and, having received
caucus nomination, the people have no right to
object.
We regard the advice Of the Globe to the peo-
pie of Illinois most mpudent interference
with the Independent right of the people to Judge
of the qualifications Of their representatives We
deem the people of Illinois fully qualifedto de-
termine whether their representatives have faith
fully reflected their sentiments; and, if they be
not, the Washington Globe is the worst fountain
of instruction in the ways of political duty, con-
sistency. and honor, which they could possibly APP
ply to. That paper adheres to the dictation Of !