San Andreas independent., 1858-03-20
From the Sacramento Union.1
f" POLITICS OF THE Day.
J..

the present time to rise in their seats to a
question OF privilege" and thereupon deliver
themselves of any little extra bile on their
stomach, and define their positions on the top
les OF the day, etc., it may not be improper at
such Juncture to recur to the past, as furn-
ishing landmarks for the present; and, without
further preface or apology, then, beg leave
to cite some facts in the history of political
parties, which may serve as guide to tender
footed gentlemen who do not deem it proper to
be whipped into the ranks and pull in the
traces of mere party task masters on all occa-
sions.
Political parties in the United States history
informs US, took their rise in the latter period
of Washington's Administration. Thomas JEFF
ferson and Edmund Randolph espoused the
Democratic cause, while John Adams, Timothy
Pickering, Alexander Hamilton, and others,
embraced and advocated the doctrines of Fed
eralism. The election of 1876, for President
showed that the principles of the Federal party
were in the ascendancy, and, accordingly, John
Adams was chosen Chief Magistrate of the ma
tion by small majority over Mr.. Jefferson
In 1900 the contest was renewed with great
bitterness but this year the Democrats, led on
by Jefferson and Burr, and seconded by Ma
thaniel Macon, John Randolph, and others of
the Democratic hosts, succeeded in effecting a
political revolution. Mr.. jefferson was eleva-
ted to the Presidency, while Aaron Burr was
elected Vice President. In 1904 Mr. Jefferson
and George Clinton, of New York, were elected
President and Vice President, with scarcely
20 any opposition. In 1908 James Madison was
elected President and George Clinton Vice
President, by large majorities, The Federalists
making very little opposition, except in few
of the New England States. In 1912, however,
opposition to the reelection of Jas. Madison,
and to the supposed ascendancy of "Virginia
influence" became the shibboleth of party, and
in the great State of New York large portion
of the Democracy united with the Federalsts,
in the support of De Witt Clinton one of the
ablest and purest men of the nation Mr.. Clin-
ton, although unsuccessful, received the vote
of the Empire State, as well as a respectable
minority vote in the Union. Mr. Madison and
Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts,, were this
year chosen to the two highest offices in the
gift of the American people. In 1916 James
Monroe and Daniel D. Tompkins were elected
President and Vice President, with scarcely
show of opposition. In 1920 they were re-
elected almost unanimously
Here let me pause. jefferson, Madison and
Monroe were, respectively, nominated by Con-
gressonal Caucus. That was the "usage" ap-
proved and sanctioned by the great Sanhedrm
of Democracy-Tammany Hall; the Albany
Regency and Richmond Junta concurring In
the Caucus of 1916, for the nomination, the
vote between James Monroe, of Virginia, and
VIM. H. Crawford of Georgia, was a close one
Mr. Monroe obtaining the nomination by a
majority of only three or four votes Numbers
of the Democracy strongly urged Mr.. Crawford
to "bolt' the nomination anc run independent;
but the distinguished Georgia statesman de-
clined to do SO. He said his name was fairly
submitted to the arbitrament of political
friends, and he was in honor bound to the
support of the nominee He cordially sustained
regular nominations" and supported James
Monroe with his whole heart and soul.
But how stood matters in 1924? In this
year, when it was understood that majority
of the Democratic members of Congress, in
justice to Mr.. Crawford, and as a reward for
his fidelity to party principles and party usages
and as mark of respect for his eminent tall
ents, would nominate him in Caucus, the
friends of General Andrew Jackson, Henry
Clay, John Quincy Adams and John c. CAL
hourn became tender footed they began to
growl at Caucus nominations, and were greatly
afflicted with the "Sore head" The Caucus
however, notwithstanding the disorganizing
propensities of the malcontents, was held; held
in accordance with the usages of the Demo-
cratic party, precisely in the same manner as
were the Caucusses which nominated jefferson
Madison and Monroe. At that Caucus, Benj
Ruggles, Senator from the State of Ohio, was
chosen to preside; and Ely Collins, member
of the House from the State of New York, was
chosen Secretary. Among the distinguished
members of Congress who met in this Caucus,
it is only necessary to refer to the names of
Martin Van Buren, John Forsyth, James and
Philip T. Barbour, John Holmes, Churchill C.
Cambreleng Edward Lloyd and James Iredell,
men known to the nation for their attachment
to Democratic principles and fidelity to party
organization. The caucus proceeded to bal
lot, VIM. II. Crawford, of Georgia, and Albert
Gallatin, of Pennsylvania, were DULY and reg
ularly nominated as Democratic candidates for
President and Vice President The leading
Democratic presses of the Union, the National
Intethgencer, Washington City Gazette, Rich
mond Enquirer, Albany Argus, NeO Hampshire
Patriot, Democratic Press, Eastern Argus, Rail
elgh Register, Mllsdgepi2le Recorder, in fact
nearly all the Democratic organs of note sus-
tanned the candidates of the party And this
they did upon principle; and they did not hes
ltate to denounce General Andrew Jackson.
Clay, Adams and Calhoun as "bolters" and
diSorganizers, and excommunicate them from
tne party faith. The Richmond Enquirer, es-
pecially, under the control and edited by the
late venerable Thomas Ritchia did not bas;