‘..:lret' iriiildiirgs, and 20 acres of Laird. For
-. Ritlgcfielrl, March 1st, 18°24. 2
~ ":5! fashion, which he offers for cash.
--
.
=.j'v'Ht')i.t«‘. NO. sic.
g ;.—\->4»; _-,.<_--,< ){ .>1':-::.«<.;>:: ‘:<.‘:><‘:<;=x>'\»<>'(Jr=.—>i'.=~’.'
PUBLISIII-‘.D BY
S. W. BENEDICT.
’{‘r.;mrgs.——' ‘wo Dollars per annum, payable
-.‘::r;u-ter'lv. Mail subscribers in advance.
~.*\DVl«1II.TlS1~1Ml-1."1’1‘S, less tltarr a square, 75
ii-are, St 00, for three insertions.
-. ,-.-.~;:; ':-.~:: :«<.>-2::-::::::-1;--=">:::<:-tr-<:«:>~:
FOI SALE.
0 ‘*3 reasonable terms,that val-
uable a\rd pleasant sittiation
- known by the irame of“ '1'flt:,
f i'(rr_ge,” lying about a mile froin the Old
Well, in Norwalk, and consisting of). large
iiwellirig-Htiiiscs, a large Pottery, 2 Kilns for
I'=.lt'lllll£{ Ware, a good Store and Barn, with
'i'.irther particulars inquire of
‘ BENJ. ISAACS.
Norwallt, Nov. 3, 1893. 3lilf
.‘~.'.-\LUABLE I"l{OI’l'ZR'.l‘Y FOR SALE.
' _V Faint containing abotit sixty
acres of excellent land, situ-
ated in the east part of Dai'ii-ti,
- lying lietween the old post road,
:rnil Court. ttn‘iipilte, anti atljortiing both; and i
‘one nrile frr~rrn Five-Mile River Landing.-—
Sitid farm is well proptrriioiied as to pl0Ws
‘_,r:istttl'e, meadow, and w0()(l-lHtl(l, with a large
and courrnotiions Dwelling House, barn, wag,-
3;-‘ill house and other oirt-biriltiitrgs, all in good
repair‘. with a well ofexcellent water within a
ft-w rods of the door. Tire property will be
sold togetlrer, or in lots, as will best suit pur-
clrasers: trondiiitrrrs, rind further particulars
ttrtttle known by applying to the subscriber on
this premises. Norris .RlCHARDS.
Darierr, Fel).:3d, 18°24. 50
E‘ OR SALE—Avaluable house
‘ and home lot. containing about
eiiglrt acres ofgood meadowatid
__ , ,_ , plou=_;li lairtl, handsotnt-ly sitiiat-
-mt in tire town street, adjoining the Episcopal
Cirurch in Ritlgefieltl. Also, abotit 20 acres
of plough and timber lairtl, ofthe first quality
a few rods west of the Street. Likewise, a
good wood lot, containing about twelve acres,
one mile and :1 half west ofthe street. Said
fart!) will be sold together, or in separate
parts, to acconitnoilate the purcliirser. Coin-
rnenilatioirs are consirleretl utrnecessary, as it
is prcsiiriied any person will view the premises
previotts to pttrtrlntsiirgt Application made
in the subscriber, living on the premises.
SAMUEL SMITH.
FOR SAl..E OR TO LET,
}1—- ggfi N rt-asoirzible ternis, anti sitti-
ill-
_ ated about 4 miles North of
the village ()fSawpit, Byram riv-
‘ ’ er. a large 4 story building, fol‘-
orerly ottcnpictl as a cotton Factory; a good
‘-.lw-ltiiisg irousr-, blacltsinitlr’s shop, and about
lrl acres of lairtl. The buildings anti writer-
works are in good repair, anti is converrieiitly _
‘sitrratetl for a cotton or woollen Factory. For
fin'thcr particulars inqriire of
JAMES GREEN, jun. or
SAMUEL BRUNDAGE.
Grecnwiclr,lV.Sot:iety,Nltrit-h17,l8‘24». 4
E4‘Ol{ SALE, on reasonable
terms, that valuable and
pleasant situation iii the town trf
r" New-Cairaai'i, now occupied by
Jnscpli 1L'vei'2'!t, consisting ofa good tlwclliug-
l:ori:.e, barn, anti out house, containing aboirt
five acrie-s oflairtl, with uncoinmoii privileges
attached to the preurises, either for a merchant
zrr nreclianic; lying on the road most pitblicly
travelled to Staiirftrril and Darren lantling.-—
'.f'ostris of payini-nt uiade easy to a piii'cl'.ascr‘,
and air indispvitable title given, liy AARON
CUMS'1‘t)tJK. Jun’r, lawf-.illy, autliorizetl by
Roivla-/til Tr}/.-iii, of Sl<lifUl‘t‘l.‘
New-Canaan, March 919, 1894. *5
Bl{Ol{E into the iuclostireirf
the subscriber about ‘the
rnitlrlle of Marcli, three Ewes,
marked a lll(’ll tlreupper side of
the near ear. anti a half-penny on the under
side ofthe offear. The owner is reqiicstetl to
prove property, pay cirargr_es, arrtl take them
away. Win. Eumosos.
R.l(l;{Efl£’.l(l, .VIarclr '37, limit. 5
At a special Towrr Mcetitig ofthe liilrabiiants ,
of the Town ofD;trien, legally warnetl and
held in said 'l‘own, orr\\'r-.tlrres.iayl\iarch17,
l8E.”1-. Vtri'td: That no person shall heal-
lowrttl to trike or catch Oysters witlrin the lini-
its of the Town of I)‘dl‘lt'll, in the County of
Fairfieltl, or from the flats and waters adjoin-
mg’ anti lit.-longing to the satire, between the
first day of May 1824, and the first d:ryofOt:-
iober next, under the penalty of Seven Dol-
lars, for each rrffcrice, the whtrle to hurt or to
them who shall sue for, and prosecute his suit
to effect. S(.'Cfl:OTl. 92d. Wlrereas, Drags
have been found to have 8.()E|'lll(.‘:'1llS anti de-
structive effect nporr the oyster boils, Voted,
therefore, that iro person or persons shall in :1-
n_v manner use the said Drags on any flu‘, or
within the waters atljoinitrg anti lit-lorigiirg to
said Town, under the penalty of Seven Dol-
lars for each offcncc,tlie whole to lritri or them
who shall sue for, anti prosecute the same to
'cfl'cct. A true copy of record examined by
4 Dartrus K. SCOFIELD, Town-Clerlt.
NEW BOOT AND SHOE STORE,
West side oftlit-. Br'idgc, East end New Black.
7' ‘HE sttbscriher has on hand a general as-
sortment of Gcntleinen, Ladies $1. Child-
rt=.n’s Shoes aiitl Boots, manufactured of the
ircst materials, in the best trraiiirer, and new-
’§-..":3—‘-\
CID‘ '5 0
-qiuu ll-
Custom work tloire in the neatest and best
zvrzrnner, anti at the shortest notice.
Wir.LrAM MAYBURY.
T\'orwallt, April fllitli, 18°23. 9
, FREDERICK REED,
IJCHTCH ./IJVD CLOCK-M./IKER,
'2 AS renrovcd from N. Beer’s Store to the
I room irext door to W’. Daskain’s Groce-
3 I-,~.r--.rrly opposite the Post-Office) where he
-».r:lv to attend ttpon his friends and cus-
i .i(-,l'5‘.. “Hitches and Clocks repaired upon
- shortest notice, anti warranted for one
it‘. He has on hand a small assortment of
_;i
CONGRESSIONAL caucus.
Believing that our readers feel a desire to
know what was lately said in the Senate ofthe
U. States about Caticusses, we have devoted
several columns of this paper to that subject.
As was stated in our last the debate was intro-
duced by Mr. King‘, of New-York, who said
that a’ “ great central power” had risen up,
which forebodcd danger tothe country, airti-
whicli might avail itself of all the means of
party spirit, of intrigue, and pgrruptrou to ef-
fect its purposes.
Mr. Dickersoir, of N. J. said, ‘ Members of
Congress had as good right, in their individu-
al capacities, to recommend a candidate for
the Presidency, as airy other men. Similar
niet-tings have been held in every state, every
county, and in almost every town iii the coun-
try. The satire privilege of rccoirrniending
candidates is exercised by every printer in the
cotrntrv—.~onie of them have reconrmentletl
three or four different canditiates within the
last six oreight months. No uiischief can re-
sult from the caucus notnination—-it iirrposes
upon nobotly——it binds tiobody-—it will go for
what it is woitlr, and no moreéit is the mere
exert.-'rse ofopinion, and that is a right which,
wlrr-iher it respected iricti or measures, Mr. D.
said, hewould never relinquislr. It is a right
grirri-zrirtceil by the constitution and the laws of
the cotioiry._ and oire which will be exercised.
Mr. llolrires, of Maine next rose. It is to
me (said Mr. H.) matter of regret and astou-
ishinent, that this debate should have taketi
such a turn. I had the honor to be, with the
gentlenian from N. York, (Mr. King,) on the
Comnrittce to wlioiti ‘these atnenduieuts to the
Constitution were referred. I had, till then,
some doubts whether, at this time it was prop»
er to act upon them. But I then had the
countenance and support of that liotiorable
gentlemen. Full well I knew and apprecia-
ted his experience aird wisdom. As he was
one ofthose who framed that instrument, and
knew the views and motives of his associates,
I adopted liiin,iu sortie measnfe as my Mentor.
The amenduicnt which has been the sirbject
ofhis auinradversion, was agreed on in com-
mittee, with great unanimity; anti by none
with tnore cordiulity and zeal than by that
gentleman. But though he has seen fit to
change his opinion, Ilrave not. Howeverl
may respect him, Icannot corisentto be led
about in this way. For the reasons which he
has deemed proper to offer to the Senate, I,
as one, feel mortified and linmbled. Never
before, except once, and that by the same lion-
orable member, has the election, which now
agitates the public, been introduced iuttr our
deliirerations. This Senate should be, anti,
tintil now, thank God, it has been, above pop-
ular excitement. Anti frotn wliat sotrrce does
it coirie? Who sets the pernicious example?
Otie whose age and experience point him out
as a model. Sir, I assure that lioiioralrle
gentleman, that I have no need ofhis advice,
nor will Isubuiit to the dictation of airy Seri-
ator here, to tiirect_ me in my private or mili-
vidual conduct. Until Ishall be grraigned,
as the Constitution prescribes,] shall not con-
descend to account to any, or all the members
of this Senate, for my acts out of this body,
airtl with which they have no concern.
The first use ofthe word “ Caucus” here,
in debate, I regret to say, was froiti that gen-
tleman. He has been pleased to arraign lie-
fore the Senate certain members ofthis, and
the other House, because they saw fit to meet
and rccomrncnd a candidate to the people, for
President ofthe United States. And, by this
act, be affects to believe that the Constitution
has beetr so violated, that he would not amend
it at all. Sir, p..rdon me when I say that this
is air idle dream.
1, Sir, am proud in the reflection, that we
have acted openly and above-board. We have
united, as iizdiisitliwls. to rccommeiid a cantil-
date to the people. I hold myself accounta-
ble, {or this, to fro trieinber of this Senate,
however respectable. For this act, I am res-
ponsible only to my conscience, iriy COllIllt'_\’,
and my God. it is a source ofconsolation
and cbirfitletrce, that this course has been
sanctioned by constant usage, and the appro-
lratioir and support ofthe most distinguished
patriots and statesmen. And, in what in-
stance’ have the rights of the people been in’-
fritiged, their liberties impaired, or the con-
stituiion violated ? Do you perceive it in the
prosperity,happiness,antl iudepen_tlence,wlitch
every where suirourrd you ?
Sir, the people of the U. States are high-
nritided, independent, and intelligent Repub-
f‘ft.'(ln-S; They understand their own rights,
and, I trust, ktiow how to preserve them. It
they see cause, they will disregard, anti disap-
prove, our recoinuieirtlatiorr. When, in my
opinion, I need it, I will consent‘ to be 'H(lVlS-
ed, antl eveir ctttechised, by any Senator; and
by none sooner than the horiurable ineiirber
from New—York. But, of this, I ririist take
the liberty of being my owiijurlge. Upon my
indivitltial conduct, beyond these walls, I will
not be conrpcllctl to submit to any trrbiirral
other than those wriich l nave iratrietl. Iueed
not add, I am ofgtge to act for myself.
Mr. .vV'rrblc, oflndiaria, said, this debate bad
certainly assumed a very strange and unex-
pected course ; but, if the object i_ti giving it
this d'r.~e,crion was to ttffect the public rn‘ind,in '
relation to the catrcirs which had been recent-
ly held, he trusted that object would be de-
feared. He had attended that caucus liitnself
—atid he certainly should not ask pardon of]
the gentleman from New-York (Mr. King,)',
or of any other ureinber in the Seirate, for
having tlone so, further than the rules of re-
spect towartls members, and the decorum us-
uallv observed in the Senate. The object of
the caucus was to produce urrioti ; it did not
infringe upon the free vote of any citizen of
the U. States, nor of the state to which behe-
longed. He adverted to the political opera-
tions of the government previous, and at the
day of.Iefferson’s norrririatiori. It was by cau-
cus, that the power their in the liantls o'fFeb-
eralists was dislodged, anti, from his youthful
days, he said amen ! and so he said now, Mr.
Noble said he would not suffer himself to.be
traduced by any member for having gori'eri1-
J.-welry and other articles in his litre, which
!.;c will sell on the most reasonable tertns.'—-
..i,_ll orders punctually attended to.
to caucus, without defending lriiriself. What
i, was dotie there, was done openly—it was the
(mere expression of private sentiiuetit-—such a
NORWALK, Court. TUESDAY, A1>rti'r_i_ 6, ram.
—.>
practice was in existence, hebelieved, in eve-
ry state—-in every county—,-and in every town-
ship in the U. States, in relation to the elec-
tion of al_l officers, either ofthe State or Fed-
eral government, and never considered as vi-
olating the Constitution of the U. States, ex-
cept by those‘ ‘whose favorites cotild not pre-
vail, nor yet as constituting ‘this central pow-
er.’ On this question, Mr. Noble said, that
he did not expect to be called upon to defend
the caucus, the doings of that meeting were
public, they were gone out to the people. But
pray let the gentleman from New-York, tell
us what has been tlorre on the other side---lie
meant the anti-caucus-—aud see whether their
proceedings fortiied any part of this ‘ central
power,’ so dangerous to the liberties of the
people. Let bitu say what part ofthe Consti-
tution gave this right. Mr.N. said he did not
contletnn this cotirse, for it was but a caucus
to know whether they would go into a caucus,
this was bttt private seiitiineirt, and the only
difference between the cations and i.rnti-cau-
cits, is, the former was private sentiment ex-
pressed with previous notice ; and the latter,
private seiitiiuent, without notice. _
Mr. King, ofN.Y. said, that, in the few re-
marks he had made to the Senate, he had in-
tended no disrespect towards any niembt=.-'r.——
He had thought that-, in the present situation
of the country, this was not the proper time
for the coirsideration of atriendtiierrts to the
cuirstitiitiou. The subject had interwoven ‘il-
self into the affairs trf his orvn state, in regard
to the Presidential Election. He trusted he
was not precluded from expressing his opin-
ion, oir a subject of great importance and no-
toriety. In considering auietidments to the
constitution, he had thought it not improper
to mention the exercise of a power, which
was not authorized by the coustittition. That
power was one, the operation of which, he
believed, was much to be dreaded ; aird sure-
ly there was no impropriety in alluding to it.
If things were doing in the cotintry, which
were tho’t iiirproper, aritl which had a hear-
ing oii the subject utider discussion, would
the Senate not be influenced by them?
Mr. Hague said, it is contended tliat_a Coti-
gressional Caucus for the nomiiiation of a
President, is not liable to any of the objec-
tions which may be urged against the elec-
tion ofa President by Congress, because the
Senators and Representatives, in attending a
caucus, act only in their private capacities.—-
This appears to me, said Mr. H. to be a falla-
cy so obvious, that he was at a loss to conceive‘
how any one could lie deceived by it. Sir, if
50 or 60 private individuals should meet in
this city and nouriuate a President, what ef-
fect would be produced by it ? Would it be
air event looked to with anxiety from every
part ofthe cotiiiiry? Would it divitle the na-
tion iiito parties, or challenge the praise or
the censure of ever.y freeiriaii in the land ?—
No, Sir; it is because the gentlemen who
compose such :1 meeting are members of Con-
gress——it is the authority with which they are
clothed, that gives influence and etfect to their
proceedings. But for this, no such meeting
would be held. They meet in their charac-
ter of Members of Congress, or they would
not meet all It is true, they do not meet to
perform a legislative tiuty, and the very tib-
jection to the proceeding is, that they step
beyoird the litre of their peculiar and appro-
priate duties, and use the influence attachetl
to their offices for the proniotitin of an object
not within their Congressional powers, and
with which the spirit of the constitution for-
bids them to interfere. To show, conclusive-
ly, that it is the influence attached to the of-
fice of a Member of Congress which is the
fouutlatioii of a Congressional Caucus, and
that it is expressly in their character of Meni-
bers of Congress that gentlemen atteird such
a meeting, Mr. H. adverted to the fact that
none other are invited or suffered to atteird.
Ifgentlemen actetl only in their private ca-
pacities, every American citizeu——certainl_v
every inhabitant of this District, would be at
liberty to unite with tlreiu. Look, too, at the.
forms of proceediirg in such cases: the Hall
of legislation is appropriaierl to their use ; the
Speaker’s chair is occupied by their chair-
iiiau ; the officers of the House are stationed
at the door to prevent the entrance ofany but
Members of Congress, who are called up by
states to give their suffrages. After this, tell
us irtrt that gentlemen act in their private ca-
pacities, and that, as Members ofCongress,
they have no concern in the transaction ! Sir,
(said Mr. Hayne,) I deny that a man catr ptit
off and put on, at pleasure, the official garb
with which be is clothed. A man clothed
with executive authority cannot, as a private
citizen, perform legislative duties ; neither
can a Member of Congress put off his charac-
ter, and, as a private citizen, interfere with
matters which the constitution has wisely pro-
liibited him froui meddling with. I have
heard, Sir, said Mr. Hayne, of a priest, who,
walking to clrirrcli in his robes of office, re-
ceived an insult; he threw tiff his gown, ex-
claiming, ‘Lie there, diviirity, until I punish
that rascal ;’ and having, in his private capa-
city, iriflicteti the clrastisement, he restirried
the character of a clergyinati, and proceeded
to preach up ‘ charity, and forgiveness ofiirju-
ries, love to God, and good will towards man.’
I will proceed, said Mr. H. to give one or two
illtistrations ofthis subject, which I think will
remove any doubts which may still rest upon
it. Suppose the President and Ht-ads ofDe-
partments were to uieet together in their pri-
vate capacities, were to nominate their suc-
cessors, and were to proclaim such a nomina-
tiou to the American people. The country
would ring with denunciations ofthe act, the
cliarges of usurpation, tyranny, and corrup-
tion,wotild riseupin every corner of the land,
and they would meet thejiist vengeance ofan
injured people ! And yet, have not the Presi-
dent and heads of departments as much a
right to act, and to speak, in their private ca-
pacities, as any other members ofthe govern-
ment ? They are no more prohibted from
nominating a President than are tlielvlgmliers
of Ctrn ress. Suppose the Jiidges-of"tb.3 Su-
preme Court were to step from the bencb,put
off their robes, and, after public notice, were
to proceed, in their private capacities, to nom-
inate 1 President, and publish, that nomina-
tion to the world! How would such a pro-
NO. 6.
VOL. VII.
ceediug be relished .? But I will put a still-
strouger case-one perfectly analogous to
that under consideration. Suppose a jury
appointed to try a cause, civil or criminal.--
T_he law prescribes the place. the time, the
mode and manner, in which the question is to
be officially investigated, and decided. But
these jurors think proper to meet together,
previous to the trial, in !lreirpi'ivale capacities,
to iiivestigate the merits of the case; they
conre to a decision, and publish the result!
Would it be any excuse for such a proceeding
to allege, that they did not act as jurors, but
in their private capacities?
The next argumenturged, is, that a Con-
gressional caucus is free from objectiotr, be-
cause it does not profess to elect, butonly to
nominate a President. Now, I would ask
whether the design of this nomination is not
to procure the election of some individual
who would not be elected without it? If such
be not the object, anti if such were not the re-
sults hoped for,no nomination would be made;
no caucus would be held. But, lfa nomina-
tion is to have the effect of promoting a man
to the Presidency who would not otherwise be
promoted, it virtually amounts to an election.
The principle, of a Congressional caucus,
therefore, leads inevitably, and of nece!!sity,to
the destruction ofthe right ofthe people to e-
lect the President, and ifit does not, in prac-
tice, produce that result, it is only because so
nrany ofus are such political heretics as to re-
fuse to recognize it. Now, said Mr. Hayne,
there is not an objection which applies to the
election of a President by the National Legis-
latute,wlrich does not apply much urore strong-
ly to a virtual election by a Congressionalcau-
cus. Does the former disturb legislation,
tinging every legislative act with party views
and feelings? So, in a greater degree does
the latter. Tire letter and spirit of the con-
stitution is opposed to every species of inter-
ference, by the Members of Congress, in the
election ofa President, except in tIrcparticu-
lar case of a failure by the people to elect.—-
Tben the House of Representatives only are
to have any concern in the transaction, and
they uitrst vote by States. They are not per-
mitted to elect any candidate according to
their own views, feelings, or opinions,biit they
are compelled to choose one q/‘three candi-
dates previously selected and presented to
them by the people. But a congressioiial cati-
ciis is composed of Senators, as well as mem.
bers of the House of Reprcseiitatives, the for-
mer ofwlroin are wisely excluded by the Con-
stitution, from voting on such a subject, be-
cause the teniire of their t.-ffice renders them
peculiarly liable to iriflnence. They proceed
to nominate the President, before the people
have proceeded to the election; they choose
not from the candidates presented to them by
the people, but according to their own pleas-
ure, anel are irrfluencetl by personal prcfereti-
ces; and, lastly, they make such a nomination,
not in the extraorainary case (which may not
occur once in a century) providetl for in the
constitution, btit at every election--‘once in
ezit.-ijy four years.——-Now, when to all this we
add that, from the very nature of things, a
caucus never will be composed of more than
a portion ofthe Members of Congress,so that
the vote ofan individual will be of such con-
sequence as to justify tlt'e extraortlinary ef-
forts to obtain it; when it is recollected that a
cauctis norniuation, every fotir years,will keep
the rrratter-constantly before Congress, cati a-
rry man who reflects on the subject, fail to see
that the triuiriph and final establishment ofthe
Carrcrrs system in Congress, must not only sti-
percede and controul the constitution, but in-
volve the ititroduction, itito the Halls of Con-
gress, of excitement, party feeling, manage-
ment, and finally, ofintrigue and corruption ;
at the bare contemplation of which, the heart
of the patriotniust sicken, airtl his anticipa-
tiorrs of future‘ glory be converted into the most
gloomy forcbotliugs.
Gentlemen tell us that a caucus is necessa-
ry to proiirote irnion. Should such a meas-
ure ever proirrote union, it can only be by con-
trolling the will and stifling the voice of the
people. Brit it seenis to me, said Mr. Hayne,
that, so far from promoting harmony and uti-
ion, a caucus is calculated to sow the seeds of
dissention,arrd to prevt:nt.,tlie ptrssibilityrol'iiii-
ioir. To all the difficulties" of selecting,uii'iou'g
men, is snperadded the liosttlity created by
the agitation of a taucus questioti.
gree of support to be yielded, or of Opptisltluri
to be offered, to such a tronrirratiorr, will al-
ways. be a fruitful source of endless contests
anti aniurosities.
As aparly lmeasure, a caucus may, in sortie
instances, tend to prourotc tirrioir. In such a
case, two candidates at least,would be presen-
ted to the people for their choice. But,where
all the candidates are of the same party, the
only effect of a caucus, must be to elevate a
favourite individual, by putting all the other
candidates ottt of the way, and thus to take
the choice from the people,or from the States.
Mr. Barbour, of Virginia, then rose. He
intended to place the meeting which had been
alluded to, on what be conceived to be defen-
sible ground. Whatever ofmalice there was
in human nature, had been uttered against
the intlividuals who attended that meeting.
He" tlid not regret that the subject had fotind
its way here, becatise he feared a fair investi-
gatiou of it, but because, into this body, sub-
jects of that kind otigbt not to be introduced.
It could not have failed to bring forth the ex-
pression of feelings which ought not to be in-
dulged here. When that meeting" was repre-
sented as a great central power, which was a-
bout to overwlielui the Constitution, surely
those who heard it, and who attended that
nreetiiig, could not refrain from replyirigr If
there was any spot on earth, which he consid-
ered as consecrated to peace and harmony, it
wasthe Senate of the U. States. It should
be our political holy of lrolies-_where«the
brand of discord was never to be known—-
where tranqiiility- and mature deliberation
sliotild acquire the respect ofthe people. He
had considered this body the sheet anchor of
the nation-—-as presenting a limit to the waves
ofthe other braricb, and equally inaccessible
to Executive influence-a body, whose char-
acter for propriety should never be jeopardiz-
ed. He believed the natioti hatl indulged a
confidence that, whatever storms might rage
The de- '
' F
elsewhere, nothing but coolness and tlelibera-_-
tion would preside here. Is this question oné
that, in. its discussiou,is calculated to promote
the dignity of this body ? Is it one that is cal-'
culated to enter this Hall? Surely ntit. And
what is the geiitlerriaifs apology for introduc-
ingtbe subject ? The gentleman from New-
Jersey charged him with having changed his
opinion, in respect to the propriety of amend-
ing the Constitution ; that, last year, be was
in favor of an amendment, and this yearop-
posed to it. Tire gentleman from New-York
states, as a reason for this change, that a great
central power‘, of, an alarming character, had
since sprung tip to his view. To an unadvis-l
ed strarrger, who had heard the gentleman
from New-York, it would seem that a nion-
ster of yesterday had sprung up, who was
threatening to devastate the country—- and
yet, Mr.B. asked, was this any new measure?
Was it not adopted in 1800, ’04, ’08, ’l‘;’, and
’l6 ?Yet it did not then meet the gentleinan’s
attention, or call forth such violent reprehen-
sion from him ;but,int8Q4, it suddenly swells
to a great measure, tlireatening destruction to,-
the Constitution. Whence did the system 0'-
riginate? Mr. B. believed, with the Revolu-
tion itself. It was the venerated Samuel A-'
dams, or his father, who first suggested it. It
had its origin in the spirit that gave birth to
this nation. Wherever freenieti are, they will
assemble and converse freely about men and
measures. And a custom that has produced
so much good it .nnot itself be very bad. Mr.
B. said he had a witness here at his left, (al-
luding probably to Mr.Macon.) who could tell
how necessary such "meetings had been found,
in the early days of this government—a gerr-
tlt.-meu who then stood, as he now stands,tlie
guardian ofliis native land. Why did he not
warn the people against a system which, ac-
cording to the gentleman from New-York, is
now, like another unslroru Sampson, about to
embrace the pillars of’ the Constitution, and
whelm the splendid fabric in ruins? Surely,
this is the mere plranrtom of the geutleman’s
imagination. What is the spirit ofthe con-
.-titutioir, in regard to the election of Presi-
dent? That irtiinbers shall prevail, in the first
instance—and, in the Cfltllllt,--',_Cll(‘._y of 1'l0tt-P-
lection by the Electors, that ‘.=-:.' House ofI{i~-
presentatives shall choose. Now, is not the
first of these provisions mere tr.-oclr.eiy, Ltnless
there can be- some inter-communic-.ttion of -
scntinrent, previous to the elcctirrn? VVhat is
it we have dotfe ? Veiral lrirelings (if the press,
directed, in some instances, by the outcasts I
of Europe, and upon whose furelie-ads, iftlicy
had their deserts,otiglrt to hang the label ‘ To ‘
be let,’ have accused us, whose all is l':(’.!'€', and
who have been honored with the lrigliest offi-
ces in the gift of the .people——of conspirii:-g a-
gainst the liberty of the country anti sceltirig
to overtlrrow the constitution. Nothiirg im-
portant can result frorii such a meeting, tiri-
less the candidate selected is a pt,-pnlzrr man.
Tire simple reason for holding Slllill a meet-
ing is, that the persons who go into it are the
Representatives of the People—that they host
knew the sentiments of the: p'ec;Zvle——tl1c_r,_
therefore, meet to recommend cantiidates. if
this be not the correct way, what other rs iii
yoti substitute ? By private recoiiiiriendatiorr,
anti, as at consequence, irresponsible, or to the
conflicting presses? Mr. B. said, he was the
last man who would lift his voice to curtail
the liberty of the press. No ; even in the rank
luxuriance of its licentiousuess, let it be tin-
ctirbed. Vi/‘hen honestly directed, it is the
great source of light and liberty.
We are told, that the P_resitlent and the
Heads of Departments may, with equal pro-
priety, meet, and iirake a nomination. But
they do not come iinuietiiately from the ptto-‘
ple ;and they are not going back to the mo-
ple, as the members ofC-oiigressniust. ’I‘i':’-"
are not so iinniediately indentified with a.r’
parts of the community. What we have done,
is on record—every man is responsible for his
own act. Tire old adage is, that, by its fruit
the tree shall be know. VVir-at has been tire
result ofthis practice for the last trrcirtyyeais?
Where has been the tnisclzicf? Has your crin-
st,ituti0'u beeri violated P‘ Is not our happy sat-
ttatioir an object oticiriigratulaziotr? Is not ev-
ery nation wlrri:u is striving to brr-ak the fet-
ters of slavery,louk‘2ng to us as the latte’-inarlts
by which they are to be guided?
Tire honorable gentb-man from S.Carolina
says. that the grounds of holding this nieetirrg
were, to produce union-~biit, front the signs
ofthe times, be gathers the belief that it will,
on the contrary, produi.-.e irotlring but £llS(.t'}til.
Mr. B. said, as he was not a prophet. izor rho
son of a prophet, he could not tell what the
effect of the meeting would be. The wisdom
of the people, perliaps, might substitute some-
tlriug else'—tlie people carelittle about iiaiircs.
We have adopted a plan, by wliicb we pro-
posed to surrender our private feelings, what-
ever they might be, upon the altar of the pub-
lic good. I ask gentlemen to propose a sub-
stitute for the Caucus. Here are live candid-
ates—a‘ll good uren—there is no union among
the people-——tlrey are divided into five parties.
What is to be the result? Tire other day we
were a bantl of brothers. What is now the
case? In coirseqaence of a difference ofopin-
ioti, slander is poured out from the press ; a
thousand pens are employed in the work of
defamation gevery infirmity is displayed ;ca-
lumny is spread, upon every side—-and itis
melancholy, indeed, to reflect that too many
are ready to believe the fabrications. This is
now but a little spark—but it may spread out,
tillit consuines every thing that is good and
valuable. How is the monster to be stifled ?
Only by making useful sacrifices. A meeting,
for that purpose was called-'—all were invited
to attend-the object was to arrive at some‘
union ; to close tirese flood-gates of iniquity.-
IVe regretted that our brethren did not all
come in with us. Mr. B. said, be arraigned
no man’s motives—eacb one must go his own
ways. Other counsels might prevail--—he
dreaded to hear what might be the result of ‘
the malignity, which this controversy had ex-'
cited. He was?-prepared to unite with the
majority. The gentleman from S Carolina
animadverts on the character assumed by the
members, in the meeting—that oftheir findi-
vidual capacity—-and asks, Why are not our.
er citizens admitted-? The answer to this re-
mark is obvious. Other citizens are not in
Norwalk Chronicler