The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-10-21


If this should be admitted, and we quito sure
cannot aud will not be denied, it should have de
mined the chooe upon the man upon whom II
rally could have been made. But so soon as Il
Legislature of Ohio made the questio
last winter, observed the active partisans of NJ
Clay at Washington and elsewhere, at work in va
ious devices to Illustrate the object of the Legisli
ture land have doubt but these efforts prever
ted responsive movements in several other State
which would have been decisive of the question
! But such movements would not only have exclude
Mr. Clay from the field, but also Mr.. Webster; an
strange rs it may appear the latter gentleman hav
ing limited popularity in New-E England, nor ex
tending effectively beyond the limits Of Massachu
sstts Inc entertained hopes of being elected; and thcs
hopes have been cherished by bis friends, or preten
ded friends, elsewhere
| But il is in vain TO demonstrate what might hay
been done by the exercise Of little magnanmt
and patriotism steps, it is believed have been ia
ken both by the friends of Clay and Webster, will
the view Of advancing the prospect of each, whcl
forbid the hope that any thing more can be don
than to to defeat the election by the people.
In raying on Judge Mclean, wo did not aban
don our principles and throw ourselves into the arrn
OF our opponents, rs charged by many of our polt
cal friends; for we were well assured that in tn,
success of our candidate, those great Democrat,
principles which lie at the foundation of our nation
prosperity, and which were advanced and sustained
in the election of General Jackson, would be per.
pctuatcd. In this event, we did anticipate politi
cal millennium which would have rendered oui
Government the pride of every friend Of liberty
throughout the world. But hopes have been
frustrated by the sefshness of few political men,
who exercise influence with their party.
Judge Mclean having however withdrawn, 1--WE
are forced TO the necessity Of selecting candidate
to support, from those now in the field and hence
the necessity of examining pretensions, prospects
qualifications, to discharge the duties Of that highly
responsible station. And first, as to Mr.. Webster
his prospects utterly out Of question: that we
do not deem it necessary to state, at large, the
mcrous objections to his election, which it might
otherwise become necessary to do.
We will, however say, that during the whole of
the late war, while Mr.. Webster was n member of
Congress, there was not to be found among the
whole federal party, more bitter and uncomprom-
ising opponent of the war, and the administration
of President Madison 1t has, it is true been said
by some of Mr., Websters friends that 4" he did not
oppose the war generally" These persons must
be grossly ignorant culpably dishonest. 1t is
equally true, that Mr.. Webster has taken especial
care not to publish his speeches in his book of
speeches which has been published in the National
Intclligcnccr these were to be found in Hanson's
and the federal prints. But if any man will take
the trouble to examine the files Of the Intelligenccr
for the years 1SI3l1 and I5 he will find that Mr..
Webster voted against every Tax Bill, and every
other measure of the Administration, which was
calculated to impart energy to the prosecution of
the war. Timothy Pickering, with all his oppost-
ion, not more decidedly and Systematically hos
tile TO every measure of the Administration, than
Mr.. Webster The omission to publish these speech
es of MIR. Webster, with the view 10 escape the
odium Of his course, is like the child covering its
head 10 avoid aDprehended DANGER We say this
OF Mr. Webster, merely as II regards his political
course and prctcnsons. But we are proud of his
splendid talents rs man, and would be pleased to
sec him uscfully employed in the public service but
iis opposition to the war, and his Federal doctrines
If consolidation, will forever exclude him from the
Presidency. We were forcibly struck with, and no
title amused nj late article in the National In
cligcnccr 10y Mr. Gales, the editor, recommending
Webster for the Presidency, in which he observes
hat he had not specially noticed the course Of Mr..
ebstcr until he commenced his political life after
he close of the late war" We regret that Mr..
Gales had not refreshed his memory by looking
'ycr his own old files, and reading his own COM
ncns upon the course Of Mr.. Webster and his CO.
'dutors during the ,car. The public would have
,cen much more satisfactorily edited by his labor
Judge White, we look upon asia good kind of man,
'ut without having afforded any evidence of either
political or executive talent We should not think
'f supporting our good old ncighbor jeremiah Nor
'ow Tor the Presidency, his own modesty would not
permit HIM to become candidates. and, from in
we believe he is Mr.. Morrow's Inferior
We cannot therefore support him. Besides, Judge
White is unknown to the people generally, and is
not recommended by those high qualities Of charac-
er or eminent services, which a Chief Magistrate
should lay claim to- We think that no man should
De elected to that Office, who cannot in the discharge
Of ITS duties, rely upon himself, and not become an
instrument in the hands of others who might be call
ed around him-and in addition to these consider
ntions, the support of Judge White must be limited
10 Tennessee, perhaps though not very probable to
one or at most two other States He cannot there
fore have any prospec, of success.
A retrospect of passing events show, that the ac-
live partizans of Mr.. Clay have cndeavorcd to'ray
upon General Harrison. Whether the apparent
zeal IN his support is designed for any thing beyond
hat Of creating confusion among the nolicnl clc- |