Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1848-10-03
Secret Caucuscs.

We puDIlSneu SOlNe "eehS o'heS, q"
extract from the Iowa Sentinel, upon the
subject Of Secret Caucuses, the sentiments
of which, we most chcerlully endorse.
The present, is perhaps the most appro-
pirate time TO give more full expression
Of our views upon this important subject.
At the approaching session of the Legis-
la,ure Of Iowa, two United States Sena"
tors, and three Supreme Judges are to be
elected. These are among the most i'm.
portant acts which the members Of our
Legislature will be called upon to per-
form. The Democracy OF the State have
by their united and perscvering action
secured large majority Of Democratic
representatives, who are, in conformity
with the provisions Of the Constitution Of
the State, and the prescribed rules Of the
Legislature, to meet and carry out, not
their own will, but SO far as they are en-
abled to learn it, the viH Of their constiIu.
enis. .- -.
Many Of our representatives. have been
elected on account Of their known or sup
posed preferences for this or that man
for the important offices above named,
and their constituents have the right TO
know whether or not their will is carried
out by those whom they have delegated
u do Il. This. they cannot learn from
their votes, in. joint election by The two
houses, as there it is expected that the
only division will BE-, the lines Of party
distinction. 1t is in lhe caucus that makes
tho nomination, that each individual men,
Der Of the Legislature should be made 10
speak out, in public manner his own
preferences. @
We are not opposed to caucuses by the
members Of the Legislature in their Sc
lection Of candidates for those Offices to be
filled by their united voice, but we do OBJ
ject to these caucuses being conducted in
secret. 1t is necessary in order to secure
success, that there be unity Of action,
which could be secured only by consulta
1ions, Of caucuses if you please SO TO term
them, wherein, freedom Of expression
may be INDUCED, and individual dferen-
Cos may be merged in the desire to secure.
the main object. II is in these prclmina-
ry meetings, and in these alone, that in
dividual opinions can be ascertained, and
shall the constituents of he members Of
the Legislature be denied their right of
knowing these opinions, by having them
expressed only in secret?
: Secret caucuses arc in direct conflict
with tho principles Of Democracy.-They
legitimalely belong to that party whose
principles are no. for the public eye; -
they are in perfect keeping with the acts
Of Federalism in days gone by, and ac-
cord strictly with the nature Of that ami
NAL, which is the chosen emblem OF mod
ern whiggery. 1850 l.'. IL 80. .-,' .a- +
Let not the Democracy be guilty Of
adopting course which reflects 80 little
credit uron its authors and originators.
Lei our acts be in accordance with our
principles, public officers for the public
good, ana under the public control. a,5 e
The DEMOCRATIC BANNER. We have
received the first number Of paper with
the; above name, just started in the -four
ishing town Of Davenport, Scott county
Iowat--It is edited by A. Montgomery,
Esq. Il has at its mast head the Honor
ed names Of Lewis Cass and William o.
Butler as candidates for President q Vice
President, and it shows an ability to rem
der assistance to place them in the posi-
tons they 10 truly deserve to occupy
May the Davenport ssBa6ner" like the
Banner Of our country, ever prove, the
delight Of friends and the terror Jof our