The National Republican And Ohio Political Register

CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS.

A more anti-democratic and tyrannical doctrine cannot be imagined, than the rule arbitrarily set up, that a candidate for the Presidency shall be nominated by a caucus and that after such nomination, the party in each state shall be bound to vote for and support him. Let us examine where this doctrine of monarchy conducts us before we surrender ourselves implicitly to its guidance. Suppose that Pennsylvania is determined to give her vote to General Jackson. Suppose Mr. Crawford, owing to his gigantic powers of intrigue, cunning and management, in which alone he excels, should succeed in procuring his own nomination in caucus! According to the arbitrary doctrine of caucuses, the consequences would be that the real vote of Pennsylvania would be stifled, her free will and free action would be destroyed, and she would be forced to give her vote for a man, whom she feared, abhorred, and never could confide in. This is the inevitable consequence flowing from the mode of caucus nominations; and if we investigate still further into its ulterior effects, we shall perceive it to be frightful and appalling to every lover of liberty and his country. It effectually annihilates the power, opinions and votes of the people; who thus become as completely the slaves to a caucus, as the poor bondmen of Europe are slaves to their Monarchs. For whatever destroys free will, and independent, unbiased suffrage, fetters and enslaves us as entirely as bonds and manacles of iron. Real democracy revolts from the dictation. A free people will spurn the oppressors, who attempt to stifle their opinions, by the exercise of a usurped power, which violates the Constitution, as well as strips us of our votes. For, why do we vote? To express our free choice of a President! But the caucus dictate to whom you shall give your vote. Then the caucus gives your vote, that is, they deprive you of it, and the caucus elect the President, not the people.
Columbian Observer.