Page:Carroll - Phantasmagoria and other poems (1869).djvu/144

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132
THE ELECTIONS TO THE

We must combine[1], aye! hold a caucus-meeting[2],
Unless we want to get another beating.
That they should 'bottle' us is nothing new—
But shall they bottle us and caucus too?
See the 'fell unity of purpose' now
With which Obstructives plunge into the row[3]!
'Factious Minorities,' we used to sigh—
'Factious Majorities!' is now the cry.
'Votes—ninety-two'—no combination here:
'Votes—ninety-three'—conspiracy, 'tis clear[4]!
You urge "'Tis but a unit." I reply
That in that unit lurks their 'unity.'
Our voters often bolt, and often baulk us,
But then they never, never go to caucus!

  1. 'To save the University from going completely under the yoke .... we shall still be obliged to combine.'
  2. 'Caucus-holding and wire-pulling would still be almost inevitably carried on to some extent.'
  3. 'But what are we to do? Here is a great political and theological party .... labouring under perfect discipline and with fell unity of purpose, to hold the University in subjection, and fill her government with its nominees.'
  4. At a recent election to Council, the Liberals mustered ninety-two votes, and the Conservatives ninety-three; whereupon the latter