The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-12-27
THE CAUCUS.


on this question. 1t Is not our purpose
to oppose the holding of II caucus by
Democratic members of the Legislature
If they desire it. The custom is of long
standing and great universally in all
parties. There are some clearly de-
fined advantages which may be achiev-
ed by caucus even when the opposi-
ton amounts to little or nothing
such as the Identification and pledges
of men of uniform political views, and
the reclamation and confirmation OF
such members as have drited or might
be liable to drift away. If a caucus
can have the effect of restoring and
strengthening hayward brothers III the
true faith, then we are favorable to it.
But thapoint on which we are liable to
antagoni2e some Of our political friends
is the question as to the personnel OF this
caucus, if it is decided to have one.
We are emphatically in favor of throw
ing the doors of the Democratic church
wide open, and inviting all to enter
who prefer to fight on the Lords side.
In the last Stare election there was no
pronounced and authorized platform OF
the Democratic-Cons party.
In many counties local questions dl-
vided our household, and the Green
back hobby captured n few OF our
friends. These were for the most part
imaginary issues. The few who APP
parantly went astray are not enemies,
but friends In Il square contest Win
Our real enemy, and the only party we
will be called on TO measure swords
with in the next clash, they have never
failed to answer at roll call
Now the questions which seemed to
divide us last November-if, indeed,
we may be permitted to dignity them
as questions'-have passed away
We will never have, perhaps, another
disintegrating Greenback party
There will, in all probability, be no
independents" when the true foe
lifts his head. Is it not the part OF
true wisdom and true brotherhood to
make the way easy for the return and
cooperation of those who have been
and still are our friends? If, there
fore, it is decided to hold caucus, let
all the gentlemen who were elected as
Greenbackers or Independents, ana
who ayow their wish and intention to
co-operate with the Democratic party
be cordially invited to enter it.
If this is done, as it ought to be and
doubtless will be, then there will be
hardly anything left to caucus against.
Hence the declaration in previous |
number Of THE COMET that we saw
no imperative necessity for caucus
at all. However, we are caucus men
when there is necessity for one, and |
we can see many advantages i'll it |
when no immediate danger impends,
but caucus which excludes accessions
and is calculated to weaken lis in tll-
tl1re contests should not meet with
the sanction of thoughtful and pru-
dent Democrats.
The great fact must not be over
looked that next year we will have |
the Presidential election upon our
hands, and that in this contest there
will be no Greenbackers nor indie |
pendents, but simple fight between
Democrats and Republicans. n wise
man covers his house when it is not |
raining, and a wise party will not in
season of unchallenged power, turn its
back upon those who can easily be !
won to it, and prove valuable breast
works against the storm which is soon
to come.
Our policy is to fortify the Demo-
cratic party for the future, and to re-
move all the obstacles we can which |
lie in the way of men who are willing |
and able to become faithful co-Work- |
ers with us hereafter. In other words,
if we have legislative caucus we are |
in favor of inviting all members into
its deliberations upon perfectly equal
terms who desire to come, and prefer .
the Democratic to the Republican
party, and pledge themselves to fight
on our side in the next contest be-
tween Democrats and Republicans.
This is all we would ask them to do.
And this is enough to entitle them to
n voice in the party deliberations.