Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-05-15
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THE WING CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS.

AT the instance of two conspicuous Members OF
Congress who formed part of the late meetings at the
Capitol which resulted in fixing upon day and
place Of assemblage for the Wing National Conven-
ton, we copy from New York paper the subjoined
account of the proceedings of the Congressional
Caucus, the accuracy of which, as well of the views
of the Presiding Officer, is confirmed to us by the
authority above referred to. Having published all
the particulars of that Caucus, officially communi-
Gated as early as they reached us, we should have
considered tia departure from precedent, at least
if not from proprety to resort to distant prints for
any broader light upon the subject. Nor do we
now spontaneously reproduce the account Of the
proceedings Of that meeting, published elsewhere;
but we do not know how to resist the wishes of
gentlemen and friends who desire to see them trans
ferred to our columns. na
To guard against misapprehension, however, and
not because we assume any right to interfere with
the private consultations held by members of Con-
gress we think it proper to say, that in our view,
tho Congressional Caucus did well to confne its
action to the recommendation of day and place
for the assembling Of the great Wing National Con
vention. No proclamation by the Congressional
Convention could, we trust have been necessary to
confirm the fact Of the SUPREMACY OF THE LAWS
being fundamental and irrecusable principle Of the
Wing party Of the Union.
YORK HERALD OF MAY Z,
1e WASHINGTON, MAY 6, 1852.
TO The Editor ethe Herald: Judge MANGUM has address
ed note to the Secretaries of the Wing caucus request
ing Of them journal Of the proceedings of the two
meetings; and the secretaries have furnished the same
Judge UspERwooD, of Kentucky has addressed, volun
tary and without solicitation as am informed, letter
to Judge MANGUN, in which he entirely the
sponibity Of Judge Mangums nomination as Chairman
of the caucuses
Judge MANGUM holds that members Of Congress- as
such have power conferred them either expressly
implied by usage otherwise, to construct political
platform for parties to rally on, in the election Of Presi
dent and Vice President of the United States Their dca
resolves, bind one; wherefore, then resolve any
thing
In former times, Congressional caucuses were by suf
ferance permitted to designate candidates for President
and Vice President 1t found, or supposed to be
found that wide door opened to political intrigue
and the actual Administration, for the time being was
supposed capable Of exciting potential irregular and
perncous influence in the selection of candidates That
system with all its appendages fell into absolute disgrace
after the Crawford caucus in 1923 and "a when mino
rty held meeting and made nominations which signay
failed under the ercest denuncatons of those opposed
to its policy.
After that period the modes of concentrating public
sentiment and variable until it matured
the usage Of simply recommending time and place" for
the meeting of the Convention without other power
authority 1t clear that the establishment of may
in many imaginable cases, be equivalent to designating
the candidates. if it conceded to be obligatory.
Mr. MASGUM ruled out all matter not connected imme-
diatey with the recommending Of time and place., sub
eot to the majority Of the caucus who were competent
to entertain any thing and amend and finally upon
it, Members Of the caucus both North and South gave
notice. several occasions that they would receive and
discuss any all propositions after the real business of
the meeting disposed Of and upon an appeal to the
meeting to acquiesce in this course single Directing
voice was heard.