New-York daily tribune., 1858-10-16

II is one Of the most serious objections To that
caucus system, which has become almost as much
part of our political institutions as the periodical
selection of our legislators and rulers, that it tends
very much to aggrsvate the evil OF filling up our
legislative bodies. Congress included, with new, IN
experienced and untried men. The people, if left
to themselves, have strong disposition 10 initiate,
in the selection ofther legislators and other public
officers the prudence of private life. They are apt
to consider in this matter, rather the probability of
being well served than the private wishes and per-
sonal convenience and ambition OF the person who
is to them. Left to themselves, they are apt,
in the selection of their representatives and rulers,
to proceed upon the saule principles upon which
they provide themselves with lawyers. doctors or
shoemskers. Having found man who seems to
understand his business, and to be disposed as well
as able to serve them faithfully they are very apt
to stick to him, and not caprciously to cast him
aside after the service Of year or two IN favor oi
some new and untried substitute.
Experience in politics and legislation is not of
less importance or value than in law or incidence
and if our Northern people are prevented from act
ing on that principle in the selection of their public
servants, it is mainly if not exclusively, owing to
the nominating bodies which have been allowed to
thrust thcmselves between the people and the can
Jidstes for Office. As things now are, nobody can
be candidate for Office, at least not with auy
chance of al election, without preliminary caucus
nomination; and these nominations, as Is too we'll
known, proceed on the principle not 80 much of
consulting the good of the public as OF making
distribution of office, as TO give every aspirant
in the party his share and his turn. Conscious how
disposed the people to adhere TO meritorioas
public servant, ii is maxim in many parts OF the
country to allow members Of Congress Only
single term. lest by longer continuance i'll service
they might gain hold upon the public mind such
a. would render il too hazardous TO supersede
them.
II i. in conside rsble measure owing TO the fact
that the Northern States have been so largely
represented in Congress by new snd inexperienced
members, that in I'll struggles with the South the
numerical superiority of the North has a. little
avsiled it. Ii is upon these new and inexperienced
members thst the loud talk and threatening Miss
and dictatorisl manners OF the Southern members
make the strongest impression. After session or
two these impressions wear oh, snd those who eti-
plov these means of intimidation cone IN be- esti
mated ST their true value. II would BE- easy to
mention several remarkable instances OF the growth,
on the part of Northern Representatives, of self
confidence, courage, spirit and resistance to dcta
tion consequent upon prolonged term Of service.
In fact, the Northern men OF decided ability have
been very few, whatever their readiness upon irst
being sent to Congress TO submit TO Southern c1e-
tstion, who, if their terms OF service have been
prolonged have not ended BY becoming the de-
cided champions Of Northern rights.