The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-07-03

degree, and we might have been spared those
tremen fous excilements which have dashed
our government about like a ship in a storm.
Around this man Of the people, however, raj
lied oil Of the Jackson party who wished, and
phO dared, to resist the tyranny of an irrespon-
sible caucus. Few as they were at last, for
their ranks were constantly thinned by deser-
ton, they continued to battle manrully, and
when they fell, it was only TO arise again, like
the tabled Antaeus, more powerfulfrOm contact
with the earth. They exposed fully and clear
ly the dangers Of the caucus system-its abu-
ses in all their forms, and the great necessity
there was Of destroying it while yet in its in
fancy, before il should become too strong for
the ballot box. The people listened, many Of
them agreed to what was so ably urged, and
perhaps moi a few in their alarm for the freedom
Of elections determined never more TO encour-
age caucuses. No doubt the lessons SO ably
taught made a deep impression on the public
mind in some quarters, but unhappily it was
not a lasting one. The deservedly unpopular
administration Of Mr.. Van Buren united all the
elements Of opposition, and brought on the
mad excitement Of 1910. In this uproar men
forgot all former lessons, all former pledges, all
former principles, and seemed to remember
nothing, and to cure for nQ,hisg but The sue
cess of their party. The election On 1914 re-
vived ell the scenes Or 1910 il an exaggerated
measure, Not only dignity, but even decency
and common sense seemed TO be discarded by
common consent OF both parties in most cases,
In place Of fair and manly argument addressed
10 the reason, and scorning any other weapons
than those Of truth and honesty, we had the
most disgusting tissues Of the lowest slang, the
singing Of ribald songs, the erection Of poles,
the display Of banners with foolish notices
and devices, the p%arading Of mimiCk military
companies in fantastic uniforms, the exhibition
of growing chickens and rampant coons, and
other scenes and spectacles intended to strike
the senses Of the million. Such are admirable
commentaries on the intelligence and good
sense Of the people(O
In the course Of these excitements the pub
lie mind seemed to become satisfied thai eau
cuses were a necessary evil-necessary, if no,
to the salvation Of the country, at least to what
was Of equal or greater Importance wi h a great
many, The success Of a party. BY no other
means can party SO well harmonize its discor-
dant elements, by no other can il so fully con-
centrate all its energies for a fierce struggle -
What the brain is to the mind, the head TO the
other members of the body, or the general to
an army, is caucus to q party, 1t is the very
and soul Of party organization, The direct
ing spirit Of party movements-at once the
magician with his wand to reconcile conflicting
opinions, and the tyrant with his rod to scourge
refractory members into SUBMISSION. All the
qualities and uses of the system which make il
so acceptable to mere partizans, renderi ii equal
ly obnoxious to patriots w~hosregard the free
dom Of elections, the purity of the elective
franchise, and the employment Of none but
talented and virtuous men in the administration
OF the government, as matters far transcending
in importance the temporary ascendency Of a
party. Now we assert that the caucus system
is directly calculated to snbvert the freedom oil
elections, to corrupt the purify of the elective
franchise, and to substitute ignorance and kna-
very for talents and honesty in the public off.
ces. But we must reserve what we have 10 saw
in proof Of this for another number.-o. N. N.