Maumee City express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1838-184?, 1839-12-21

of William II. Harrison of Ohio, and John
Tyler Of Virginia, they being the candi-
dates for the Presidency and Vice Presiden-
cy, selected by the National Convention
which met at Harrisburg on the 1ith inst.
Whatever may have been our personal pre-
ferences, or those of majority Of the
Wings, in the section of country reached
by our paper, we are satisfied that the only
hope of success rests in a general merger
Of all private partialites, in the great strug-
gle for the good of the whole. He who
has the safety of his country at heart, will
not cavail at the means used to secure it, SO
long as they are honorable; and he who
sinks his patriotism in spirit Of party or
Of prejudice, is not worthy Of the name of
Wing, and can claim no affinity to the he
roes of the Revolution. Ina government
like ours, it is evident that the claims of men
can never be entirely lost sight of, so long
as personal popularity is looked to as a
means of securing an election; but still, it
should not be forgotten, that the Wings are
engaged in great contest for principles,
and that, in selecting candidate, the main
qualification, is the ability and disposition
to carry into practice the doctrines of those
to whom he is indebted for his election. In
discussing the merits of candidate for any
office, The wisdom of one who has holden
the highest, in the gift of this people, has
pointed out the true and only true course.
The inquiry is resolved into two plain and
significant questions, to wit: Is he hon
est?-Is he capablel" Is GENERAL HAnRI-
SON HONEST? Previous to his present nomi-
nation, he has been once before the people,
as candidate for the presidency. During
an arduous canvass, in which every thing
that the art of interested opponents could
devise and the malice of personal and poti-
cal enemies could invent was urged against
him, not charge was sustained against
his honesty. Scarcely one was brought.
He seemed, in this respect, to stand upon
an eminence impregnable to the open at
tacks and the secret underminings of all.
The records of long life of public service
have been ransacked, the most secret ar
chiyes of the departments Of the govern
ment have been searched, and the memories
ofthose who have known him at different
periods have been taxed, and still no spot
has been fixed upon his fair reputation. In
his Office of governor of the whole North
western Territory, he was clothed with
higher and more various discretionary pew
ers than have even been exercised by any
other officer under our government; he had
opportunities to enrich himself to an unli-
mited extent, could he have stopped to dis
honesty, and, that too, with small danger
Of detection; but he passed the ordeal with
out an imputation, and retired from the ar
duous duties of his Office, with no more
wealth than when he entered it--with no
riches but the love Of the people over whom
he had ruled, and without treasure, except
the jewel Of honesty, hid in his heart, and
shining through all his actions with lus-
ture that malice could not dim nor detrac-
tion sully. Is not that man honest, whose
reputation is safe, even in the hands Of his
enemies?
IL GENERAL HARRISON cApABLE?-Our
government would be an impracticable one,
did it require progidy for chief magis-
trate. The friends Of General Harrison do
not place his claims, upon the ground that
he is the greatest, the wisest or the most
learned man ofthe age. 1t is sufficient for
them that, he has, through life, the greater
part OF which has been devoted to the SER
vice of his country, displayed such talents,
such moderation, such statesmanlke quail
ties as entItle him to their confidence, and |
furnish ground for belief that he will
adopt such counsels, and pursue such mea-
sures as shall most conduce to the prosperi- |
to and honol Of his country. Nor is there
any just ground to suppose that the conf
dence is misplaced. Previous worthy ac-
tions are the safest guaranty for future
good conduct, and he who has. by long
life of good acts, placed his name high
upon the scroll of history, will be, not lit
tie solicitousto add to just and well
earned reputation. Hrs cLArMs.--Athough
we incline to the beliefthat the honor of be-
ing permitted to serve ones country is suf-
ficient reward for the most intense devotion
in its course. still, no one will deny, that he
who has becn illistrious in the field and in
the cabinet, is better entitled to the honor of
filing the highest Offices, than one who has
not been so distinguished. This conceded,
the claims of General Harrison are of no
ordinary character. For the greater part
Of half a century, his life was one of the
most untiring devotion to the cause of his
country. The history of the great west is
his history. He is identified with most of
the great movements that have taken place
in the country north and west Of the Ohio
rirer. He was It's chief magistrate and it.
protector. He'held the savages in awe by
his military skill and prudence, and exer
cised the duties of alawgiver over terri
tory that has since grown to the importance