The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-01-17
The Caucus Contest MOw Il Can be
Solved.
TO the Editor Of the Comet;

To the Editor Of the Comet:
The Senatorial contest has so far been
conducted without acrimony and in spirit
OF generous rivalry. The adhesion of the
friends of the. respective gentlemen who
have been voted for is not to be regarded
rs party dissension. It'll mere difference
OF opinion as to men. Party principles are
only indirectly involved, and the loyalty
displayed by the friends of this or that as
plrant can in no proper sense be looked
upon as detrimental to the party interests.
While 1t is desirable that nomination
should be made in caucus, now that one
mas been convened, failure to make one
Is not necessarily party disaster. All
three OF the prominent aspirants are men |
OF unimpeachable Democracy. They stand |
ABOVE reproach in respect to party fidelity.
ana no matter which is chosen, the party
VIII get what it is entitled to, Il party man.
Should the existing difference of opinion
lead to an open contest before the whole
Legislature, the contestants will enter that
arena upon perfectly equal terms. The OPP
ponents of the party there will be presented
with nothing more than the opportunity to
choose between Democrats of unauestionde
standing; and, other things being equal, it
is never undesirable to the interests of u
party that its leaders should he men of
such character as to command at once the
appreciation of the party and of the oppo-
sltlon. Such a leader gives confidence and
satisfaction to those who follow him and
invites the recOnclcment and cooperation
OF those who oppose him. He is source
of strength in two ways: he represses dis
senSionS, and at.the same time promotes ac-
SESSIONS. Ordinarily nothing is to be lost
by allowing your enemy to choose between
men equally acceptable to you, and this
holds good in party as well as in private \
affairs.
have said thus much to show that there
Is no ground upon which to criticise the
friends of any gentleman for adhering to
nm as long as they think proper, and that
II IL should ensue that no choice can be
made in caucus such result cannot justly \
De regarded as the consequence of any in
urious party differences, or as the prophecy
If party disaster. -
Now that caucus has been determined
N, however, it is, in my judgment, dcsira-
ne that nomination be made in caucus if
osSible, though the considerations in favor
1t are not imperative. Four sessions
ave been held without such Il result, and ,
ne naturally looks for the causes of fail 81
re. | think the great difficulty is, that
lany members find themselves under per-
)nal committals or promises, which opc-
ite to prevent the exercise on their part
free and untrammelled choice, or Il o
lange of preference upon new consdera-
ons, or more deliberate reflection; and it -
in reference to this difficulty, in the way T.
Il satisfactory conclusion, that | offer me
w considerations to which l invite the -.
riOus attention of my fellow members.
submit the view that Il personal pro-
ise, or pledge, to support candidate for III
public office, ought to be considered as w
ven with the implied condition that it
to be observed only as long as it is
nsistent with the public good. That is
to everything else, and ought 'e
be so regarded by all. Whenever,
rough IL failure of the candidate to devel-
J., after fair trial, sufficient strength to V
cure an election; or, through change of at /
nviction on the part of the voter, or other a
lforeseen cause, the sense of public duty
mes into conflict with that of private OBJ
,atiOn, the latter ought to be considered -
cancelled. 1t ought to be assumed that O,l
G candidate to whom such promise is OU
lde would not insist upon it under such
if he should, that he
1ud thereby show himself unworthy of ,
C position TO which he aSprns. The de- and
eratiOns of oHr caucus have now reached TIM
'oint which, it seems to me, ought to be Wv
garded as having worked off all commit
5 or promises of every kind, for there
lst be some limit to the extent of such
legations. | am not insisting that any
mber shall not continue to vote as long
he thinks proper for the man who is of
ed, by his Judgment, as the best man for VN
place, but simply that he shall let his
lot be directed by his patriotism and
gment, and not by any conditions of in No. No.
iOr moment.
every member will look at the matter
m this standpoint, and sedulously endea-
to convince himself who will best serve
interest of the of the State as Senator 4
enter the caucus determined that his :,
lot shall reflect his conviction thus ar now NOW,
I'd at, feel sure n solution of the stu with
he speedily REACHED. The interests to pool
considered in making selection are WI
ty harmony in the State; the develop Snn
1t of Il healthy state of public opinion
National questions; the promotion of
sentiment; the increase of
thern influence in Congress and with
Administration, and the precipitation of
e hostile elements Of Northern public EAI
ZION, which are likely to give us trouble
lq ensuing Presidential election. l'ctS
Respectfully,
A REPRESENTATIVE. We