The Rhode Island Republican

Political Miscellany.

From the New Orleans Gazette.

We take unusual pleasure in presenting to our readers today, a letter of the Grand Jury of the County of Davidson, North-Carolina, to Mr. Long, a representative in Congress from that state, on the subject of the late caucus held at the city of Washington.

It is a respectful, yet bold and manly avowal of the sentiments and rights of freemen. So long as our population is composed of such as understand, feel, speak, and act, as those have who composed this Grand Jury, its liberties are safe.

They recognize in their representative, a respectable member of society, and a man whom they appear to esteem, in whom, too, they appear, in general, to confide, but to whom, as a member of Congress, no power had been delegated to go into Caucus on the Presidential election.

They hold towards him the language of equals, and recognize no other relation in which they are capable of acting; they address him as standing, in relation to the matter between them, on the great and common level of his fellow citizens at home, and meet his vindication of the Caucus and its candidate, in a tone of feeling, and with that spirit of reproof and independence, which all must approve who are not prepared to sell their suffrages, and, with them, their birth-right, to the highest bidder.

They speak their sentiments in relation to men and measures in a firm and decisive tone, and whilst they acquiesce in, and evidently approve those constitutional and legislative acts of Congress, to which their representative gave his support, denounce the Caucus and its advocates—they do not disguise their detestation of these, but in the genuine spirit of seventy six, reprobate the proceeding as a usurpation of power, and inform their deluded agent, that the sentiments of a majority in their state are in unison with their own. In this proceeding, we see developed, the conservative and redeeming genius of our government—the silent sway, the force, and the omnipotence of public opinion; the only despot acknowledged by an American citizen, the only one before whom all must bow, and to which even Members of Congress must bend the knee.

To the Hon. Juan Long, jun. Esq.

SIR—Your letter addressed to the grand jury of Davidson county, bearing date the 3d of last month, has been received; and it having fallen to our lot to form the grand jury to which your letter was directed, it becomes our duty to acknowledge its receipt, and to notice its contents.

We rejoice at the prosperous condition of our country, the increase of our national character and national wealth. We have many causes of gratitude to Providence for the blessings which we enjoy—blessings which we shall continue to enjoy, so long as the constitution and laws of our country shall be administered in their true spirit.

As to the particular subjects of national policy mentioned in your letter, it is not necessary for us to express an opinion : they are fair legitimate subjects of legislation, about which the wisest and best men of our country differ in opinion : and on which unanimity of opinion is neither to be expected nor desired.

We repose entire confidence in the wisdom of Congress ; and shall acquiesce, with cheerfulness, in any decision that honorable body shall make on the subjects you refer to, or on any other that they have a right and power to decide upon.

But we regret, sir, that you have brought those subjects to our notice only for the purpose of connecting them with the next Presidential election, and of exciting a prejudice against those men who are the rival candidates of Mr. Crawford : and we still more regret, that members of Congress, instead of confining themselves to that sphere of duty marked out by the constitution, should combine to influence an election which peculiarly belongs to the people, and in which the constitution intended members of Congress should take no part except in the last resort.

The time has come for the freemen of the United States to express their detestation of a Congressional caucus—a power that is gradually setting itself up at Washington to rule the nation—a power that took its rise in party feelings, and has lately been supported by the spirit of faction, until it threatens to overawe the people by its proscriptions. It is said members of Congress go into caucus in their individual capacity, and their decisions in caucus are not binding upon the people. This is the excuse that is offered to the nation—an excuse that good sense every where treats as ridiculous. Why does not a caucus of a like number of men in one of the states, assume such importance before the people? There is not such a wide difference between their understandings and respectability, and the understandings and respectability of a like number of members of Congress. The truth is, and members of Congress well know it, that the high character with which they are invested, accompanies them into caucus, and gives an imposing effect to their proceedings.

Turn it, change it, alter it as you will, a Congressional caucus is an assemblage of Members of Congress, and their proceedings are intended to have, (and so in fact they do have) not the form but the character of legislation—of the highest legislation : and, what in the worst of all, a dictatorial legislation ; a legislation that operates upon one part of the community by proscription, and upon the other by corruption ! We do therefore rejoice at the general expression of indignation which the people have lately made against a Congressional caucus, and hope it will induce members of Congress never to hold another.

We esteem Mr. Crawford : he has been an useful and respectable public officer : but the caucus at Washington has ruined his political fortune. We cannot support any man that is recommended by a Congressional caucus.

The election of Chief Magistrate belongs to the people, and not to members of Congress.

You say that you understand Mr. Calhoun's friends in this state have been transferred to Gen. Jackson. This sort of phraseology has become common with a certain set of members of Congress, who have been in the habit of attending or vindicating a caucus'; for it is the object and design of a Congressional caucus to transfer the people to a particular candidate, like so many cattle. You sir, must know the people of this state too well, to believe that they will submit to be transferred, either by a Caucus at Washington, or by aspiring demagogues at home. They have understanding enough to estimate the talents and qualifications of the candidates for the Presidency : If they have not they have too much pride to send to Washington, at this time of their lives, for school-masters ! !

We regret that you felt yourself at liberty to put an interrogatory in your letter, which was intended to cast a reflection on General Jackson. However he may stand with members of Congress, he is the favorite of the people : he belongs to them ; he has served them, both in peace and war ; they feel grateful to him, and will take a pride in honoring him.

We entertain a high regard for you'; we know your moral worth and your respectability in society. You have addressed us in that feeling which is no doubt common to Mr. Crawford's friends: and we have answered your address in that feeling which is common we believe, in this state, against a Congressional caucus.

ISAAC WISEMAN, Foreman.

Matthew Macey,
Gottlieb Gamos,
George Miers, jr.
George Myers,
Frederick Young,
Robert Green,
William Douthet,
George Sowers,
Robert Wilson,
John Lopp,
George Hartman.