149
PAPERS OF l\IJRABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
ecd, I may venture to say, that my political character ha been so istinctly marked, and my attachment and fidelity to the republican arty of this State, so well known as to defy mi representation.- rom private sources, however, I have ascertained, that by some in- ividuals it has been urged against me in a tone of reproach, that my a.me has not been presented to the people, through the medium of the te caucus. Holding the proceedings of that body to be a fai.r subject f examination, I propose to offer such comment in relation to them, s seem to me to be founded in truth. I hall avail myself of this priv- ege, however, only so far as its exercise is rendered necessary to · dicate myself from unjust censure. With the independent and considerate portion of the public, I have no fear that the want of the ualifying rnark and brand of the caucus, will at all affect my in- rest; but as there may possibly be some, who,, mingling in their olitics, other considerations than the public good, would give· to the atter a factitious importance, in order that it may be urged against e with undue fo!·ce; I invite my fellow-citizens to go along-with me • a few observations, by which I hope to expose the impotency of the bjection, and disabuse such as may wrongly suppose me capable of anding in the way of the best interests of my country, or of the party o which I am attached. With regard to ,the policy of holding caucuses, the people of this tate are divided in opinion. It is not known that a majority of the arty with whom I act would be willing to adopt the system, even nder its least exceptionable organiiation. But confident I am that e most of those who would be in favor of a caucus in which the hole party would be fairly represented, are not disposed to submit o the decisions of one, wholly self-constituted--:-in which the wishes f a considerable portion of the party can never be made known- hose proceedings are based upon no delegated authority-whose own ill is its only law, and which speaks not the language of the party, ut its own. Such was the character of the legislative caucus held st winter at Milledgeville. .A5;, it was destitute of every attribute pon which a claim to obedience could be founded, it is clear that I ave .violated no duty, and abandoned no principle of republicanism not bowing to what, in one point of view, may be called its dicta- ion. It cannot be contested that it was deficient in two of the essen- ial principles of freedom and justice-authority from the party, and quality of representation·. I have not heard that any of its members ad received instructions from their constituents to hold such meet- • g; and even if they had been so instructed, the insurmountable ob- 'ection would still remain, that the representation of the party was artial and unequal. That portion of it only could have a voice who ad been able to send to the legislature, representatives of their own olitical faith. .All others were excluded. ·who, for example, repre- nted the Troup party of Jones county¥ No one. Though numerous nd respectable, they had no agency in forming the ticket now before 1e public, and of consequence can be under no obligation to receive ·t against their will. This is the condition of every county, siluated s Jones county was, in respect to the party character of its represen- tation in the legislature. And becanse the members of the party resid-
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