Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Iowa) 1861-1864, 1863-08-13
For the Charles City Intelligencer.
Caucuses and Candidates.

Editor Intelligenoer:
fear that many good citizens over
look the Importance of well attended
caucuses and primary conventions.
The spring is the first indication of
the swelling river. So town caucuses
with us are the source and first pub
lie exhibition Of the political power of
the people. We all know that the
spring or fountain must be pure or the
resulting stream will not be pure
Just SO it is in regard to political move
ments. If the town or ward caucuses
are conducted SO as to give full and
fair expression of public sentiment up
on any and every question of public
interest, they cannot at once be made
the instruments of designing men to
carry out their own selfish ends.
Caucuses like other good things are
liable to abuse, and practical ques-
tion is shall they be managed or "pack-
ed" by few interested parties, or
shall they reflect the will of the peo-
pie? We often hear Of "packed" eau
Gus or convention. The term may
mean any degree of selfishness or
sharp practice. A common method is
for some one to call the assemblage to
order by nominating the right man (for
the object) to act as chairman. This
is usually successfully accomplished.
There often follows a committee ION
nominations" usually appointed by the
chairman. The fright" men must be
selected, especially for chairman of
such committee. After due time, a re-
port is made and a motion to adopt
such report will usually have the eff
feet to squelch any turbulent dissen-
ter--at least for that time-and the
leaders go away congratulating them
selves upon the "great unanimity OF
the proceedings Sometimes diff
ferent course is adopted. A few know
ing ones" meet at the precise time,
hastily organize and some thoughtful
and Industrious patriot happens to
have his pockets full of tickets conven-
iently written out and which be as
sures his friends are all right" and
the forms of voting are soon gone
through with, and the result declared,
perhaps before hardly respectable
number outside of the family" were
in attendance-another proof that eter-
nal vigilance is the price of liberty.
Mr.. Editor, l appeal to the candor
of yourself and readers, have you ev'
er witnessed any caucusing that was
as nearly related as first cousin to eli
ther Of the supposed cases 7 If not,
fear you are so blind that foreign trav'
ell will not improve your mental or NOR
al perceptions.
Now seriously, what is the effect OF
such a course Of proceedings in any
town? Ianswer, Fust-Good men, in
telligent, thinking men who are old
fashioned enough to believe that /" hon
esty is the best policy" are deeply
hurt, others are disgusted, and with
out due consideration often resolve
never to attend another such packed
or unfair caucus" just the very result
that helps to pack future caucuses
more successfully. Secondly-the lead
ers or active agents in packing caucus
es are soon marked by the communi
ty, and then how long will it be before
"Othello's occupations gone? NJ
man who values his political standing
can afford to be called manager o.
iintriguer in political affairs. Such {