The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-04-20
THE VICE PRESIDENCY.

We have hitherto abstained from saying
a word upon this subject. We knew that
as the President is from the North, the
Vice President must come from the South
or the Southwest; and that, therefore no
son of Pennsylvania could be nominated
for this Office, by the National convention.
Under these circumstances, we considered
that it would best comport with the charac-
ter and interest Of Pennsylvania, to wait
until the Southern and Southwestern states
had presented their candidates, and then to
select among them the man of the greatest
worth and popularity, who would most con-
tribute TO strengthen the democratic ticket
and the democratic cause. We ought rath-
er to act as judges than as partizans on this
question, and this is the best mode of ma
king the weight Of the state be felt, Be-
sides VIC L-~.e -rt,s-,s.-l.-i an, e,iisE,ctorv
audience that ColonelJohnson has evnresse1
his determination 10 withdraw, and we did
not wish to appear desirous of driving an
old and faithful servant of the public both
in peace and in war, from the course.
What first induced us seriously TO con-
slider this subject, was, seeing that an art-
Gle in favor of Mr. Forsyth, published in a
western paper, made its appearance almost
simultaneously in several other papers be-
fore ii was possible they could have recey-
ed it by due course Of mail. We are old
birds, and not to be caught by chaff. The
state can never be carried by a rush, for the
! democracy are sober and rejecting people
and will not decide without sufficient eyi-
denCe and fair choice.
We may be mistaken, but we believe that
in case Colonel Johnson should not again
be acandldate, the real competition will bt
between Colonel King, of Alabama, anC
Colonel Polk, of Tennessee. They are
both men Of as pure and unsulied private
and political character as anv in the Unitet
States, and are both eminently qualified {,
preside over the deliberations of the Senate
Indeed, We believe it is conceded bv boil
friend and foe, that there never has been
better presiding officer in the Senate thai
Col. king,and no one who has ever visitei
Washington, can withhold the same enco
MUM from Col, Polk, Of me House. Bu
we say again, it is entirely too soon to az
/ tate this subject beyond a mere passing nc
+ tice, except to keep the democracy sc
/ garde," lest their feelings become enliste
D before they know the nature Of the canvass
h or the results that may grow ont of it, FC
S instance. would it be prudent to revert agai
e to the line Of safe precedcnts,' as was ur,
!. ed by Mr.. Clay, in his bargain with M
h Adams and permit the old and dangerol
O system to prevail anew that made a Secret
e ~ Of State the heir apparent in the su
n cession to the Presidency Did not gel
n eral Jackson's election settle that question
q and by what argument or reason is tn
/, doctrine so soon to be overturned? ?
J, it not now a condition precedent that !
At Secretary of State can be candidate f
n any higher post during lhe tendency
IS his cOmmsonl To our thinking, ii
i rule is very sound one, as il resrains
ic untoward ambition, and guarantees the fait
lul performance of the immediate tru
NJ without rendering it ameudable to 9th
,e and more interested or personal objects.
l. We have said more than we intended
" the outset and yet have said but 1.-THE
ii what might be expressed against a
= innovation of the hallowed prnci2l
le that Jefferson and Jackson taught a
ne practised.
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