Madison Whig advocate., 1840-05-09
PoNroroc, Miss. March II, 1910.

| Gentlemen Your favor of the 4th
inst. apprising me of "p1y nomination as
one oi the electors upon the whig electo-
raj ticket, in the approaching Presiden-
tial canvass" was received by last nights
mail. Whilst | regret that some other,
and more suitable person, had not been
selected in my stead, willingly yield my
assent TO the nominations; and you may
rest assured that any aid that | can af-
ford s'tO the opponents Of msisrule and COR
ruption" shall be rendered.
In common with most of the wings of
this state, and OF the south generally,
felt disappointed at the election of the
Harrisburg convention. Our opponents
had forced US to take up Mr.. Clay. The
wings of this state had fought the battle
under his banner; and although we had
been defeated, his rapidly increasing
popularity, gave rise to we'll founded
hopes of ultimate success. His brilliant
talents-his devoted patriotism-his en-
inent public services-his long life of
usefulness-had endeared him to the
wings; and confess | felt chagrined at
his rejection by the Harrisburg conven-
tion. But are the wings struggling for
the elevation of men? No. They bat
tie for the success of principles, and sup
port men, only as the means to secure the
success of those principles. In this
view, the support of principles, not men,
a brief examination of the political prin-
ciples avowed and practiced upon by the
two candidates for the presidency, ought,
in my Judgment, TO determine every pat
riot, in favor of Harrison.
Without going further back, we migh
commence with the late war At the
time war was declared, Mr.. Madison was
at the head of the government, and at the
head of the republican party. His ad-
ministration was violently opposed by
the federal party; and the war was par
ticularly odious TO that party. Mr.. Mad
ison's first term of service had nearly
expired; he was candidate for re-elec-
ton; the republican party was satisfied
and pleased with his administration; the
country was just plunged into war with
powerful nation; the distress and ne
cessities Of the government were great;
apd every patriot lost sight of every
thing but lore of country. Under these
circumstances, the federal party brought
out an opposing candidate to Mr.. Madi-
son; attempted TO distract the councils of
the nation, and divide the people, when
union was the only hope for success
against our potent enemy. How did the
love of country and burning patriotism of
Mr.. Van Buren, and Gen. Harrison ex-l
hibit themselves at that trying time? The
former rallied under the federal banner,
and mainly by his exc rtions, the state of
l.
ison, the latter stood firmly by the repub-
lican standard, and supported Mr.. Madi-
son and his measures. This war measure
of Mr.. Madison's administration, drew
the line of distinction, more accurately
between the republican, and federal par
ties, than any had done since the alien
and sedition laws. Yet Mr.. Van Buren
did not come into the support of the war,
until, by the brilliant achievements of
our soldiers, (amongst whom Gen. Har-
rison was not the least conspicuous, rem
dered the war popular When every
breeze began TO bring sidings of victory,
and the triumph Of our rms, then, and
not until then, did Mr.. Van Buren, come
into the support of the war. He then,
however, turned abou, and became the
most ardent supporter of the war. He
then pretended, that his opposition TO
Mr.. Madison. was because his measures
were not sufficiently war-Iike!
The next subject, in point oS time,
which shall notice, is the delicate and
subject of abolition And on
his, as on the war, Mr.. Van Buren, was |
lot with US at first, but came in at the |
eleventh hour. When Missouri applied |
or admission into the Union. the aboli-
ionists opposed her application, and re-
used her admission, unless she would
lbolish slavery in her limits. General +
harrison was in Congress at that time,
nd Mr. Van Buren, was in the legisla-
ure of New York. The Union was
hrcatcned with dissolution, 50 violent