Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-01
PRESIDENTIAL. MoYeMRNrsi

was not less doubtful il we remember, tina, Mr. Var
8uren would succeed in isto) he proceeds 10 mans
| Who will be candidates. Thanks ate then awardec
TO MIR Benton foe Withdrawing in favor Of MIR vsr
Buren,. MIR Buehansn's time. we are told, al,
scarcely arrived, " who "sil lose nothing by wait.
ing" Il 10 added "the friends OF Mr. Cas- certainly
cannot pretend TO his claims IN competition witt
| those OF either Of the leading who have beer
named. He has not horne the burden and heat 81
the day. "A. The patry policy OF the
Harrisburg Convention, continues the writer ut u
| not for the Democracy to initiate. They will put
forward one Of their veterans scared with cor n CT
aud win lose under one Of their Oldest and mosi
| approved leaders"
"As for MIR Tyler, 1--WE now quote the wri,erve
batiml Il very evident that he cannot be second
| time President. The Democracy will lend him a
cordial and respectful support in all those measures
which they deem for the interest ofthe country; they
will make his easy. and the burdens of co.
vernment light; bu,hc cannot expect they viii a
eandon their old tried friends for any one MIR Ty-
ler has won great priz'; let him he content with
his fortune without seeking TO throw doub'eis."
The claims Of ME- Calhoun are next considered.
His length Of public lie, his talents, his familiarity
with the workings Of the goveSnuen his excellent
private character, and high and lofty patriotism are
! all favorably dwelt upon,-bu,. says the writer;
but from all these great qualities, there ere many
deductions and draw backs TO be made. MIR Cal
honn's mind is moro brilliant than sound. His
course has been more surprising than well Judged or
consistent"
The writer then proceeds TO examine some Of MIR
Calhoun's Objectionable opinions, and particularly
names those slavery On this subject, as his views
may be important here and elsewhere, we quote
him entire:
IL 10 the serious and solemn conviction of an i'm
mense majority Of our people that slavery is an
enormous evil, and this feeling is by no means con-
hned to the fee states. The institution has been
as vehcwenty reprobated at the south as any
whore; but at the north the feeling is universal that
II Is anti republican, anti. American, fraught with
the most injurious consequences 10 the cause OF
freedom, and 10 the Union itself. This is a eonvic-
ton altogether independent and apart from the abo
ition ianaiieism. The freemsn OF the north under.
stand their constitutional duties. They are we'll
aware that they cannot interfere with the slave
states, that these the sole and sovereign arbcrs
OF this question. But this impotcncy 10 act, but
Increase, II possible, their desire see some remedy
proposed and adopted for this gigantic mischief.
Not so, however, thinks Mr. Calhoun. He con-
sideres slavery good institution in itself lie CON-
sders IL necessary portion Of the framework Of
Amer can freedom. He has no desire to see its du
rat on shortened no remedy, present or prospective
is he willing to apply to 1t. Never once has he
raised his eloquent voice against this greatest abo-
mnation Of our time IL is impossible that the free.
man sympathizs With these views. Il is impos.
sible that he can award cordial and enthusiastic
support TO statesman who is totally insensible to
the horrors and abuses OF slavery that he should lie
willing 10 surrender the determination of all the
great questions which throns upon US, and most Of
which interviewer with this subject TO the ar
bitramen: of politician who considers slavery no
evil.
Let this matter be distinctly understood. We do
not object to MIR Cahoua as a STAKEHOLDER, or the
citizen of slave state. We have no right to IN Ike
objections. II not unconstitutional, they would be
IN the CHEST degree unfriendy and hostile to the
spirit of the grea, league. Whatever our individual
opinions may be, no member of the democratic IA
miy has n right 10 object to a candidate because he
comes from slave portion OF the Union. This
was the ground OF the opposition TO Mr. Everett,
and both parties thought IL improper, unjust, and
calculated 10 strike directly at the bond of Union.
IL is not for this that we object TO MIR Calhoun. Ii
is because he is friend and advocate OF slavery as
a beneficial thing in ITSELF Because he makes every
thing hinge upon Il. Because he is as eXtravagant
on one side, as the abolilonst is the other. Be-
cause we cannot believe person mbued with those
feelings can be thorough, hearty lover OF freedom
IN lis largest sense. Ii IS not to be disguised tina,
in this point OF view the election of Mr. Calhoun
would be subject of great regret TO large portion
OF the American democracy.
The writer than animadveris upon Mr. Calhoun's
notification opinions. "How can the Federal pow.
en-" he asks, be safely entrusted 10 President who
considers that State has the night at any ime and
every time to the action Of the Federal Go.
vernment The patronage aud jurisdiction Of the
Central Government is unques,ionab.y too great
But no one ever thought that its poreT great
within The pale of its legitimate functions On the
contrary its vice is weakness; witness the shftless
management OF the Florida war, the riekelty work
ing of the Post Office it is the feeblest government
in existence, and nothing would be wanting to re-
duce Il to utter impotence, but TO place at its head
multiplying President"
The vote Mr. Calhoun gave 10 reject Mr. Van
Buren, is next slightly dwell upon; and the eonclu
sion IS, 'LRr NEw YoRK STAND DIT VAN BURrs,"
10 which the Editor himself responds.
The Morning Post. per contra, u;ters its prefe.
renee for MIR Calhoun, and for the following rem
sons:
LIST. We think that the principles of Mr. Calhoun
are more in accordance with the feelings Of the mass
of the Democrats Party, than those OF any other
man. All, are no doubt, faithful aud consistent de.
mocrats, but all are not liberal and comprehensive
TO the same degree. On the two great questions of
the day, the two most important 10 our political
welfare and social progress, the Tariff and Currency
Mr. Calhoun Is lar IN advance of any Of his COM
peutors. lie understands the subjects thoroughly
and IS IN favor Of no half way measures Of reform
z. Mr. Calhoun has greater talent for administra
ton than any other Statesman that we can coil TO
mind. His intellect is peculiarly penetrating, sys
tematic and energetic. When he was al the head of
the War Department, the rapidly and ease with
which he reformed the abuses that inevitably grew
up among so many agents and clerks, was an oc-
cason OF surprise and admiration TO all who UNDER
stood the working OF government machinery. Place
ly reform all the Departments.
5. MIR Calhoun possesses those qualities OF oriei =
nality, bodness, and firm adherence TO princip, O..
which always attach the sympa,hies Of the multi
tude. Like Gen. Jackson, he 10 straisht-f,ruard
and honest. The people may easily know him.
His principles arc above-boafd lie docs not suf.
fer himself TO be sweyed by personal motives; but
having distinct idea and plan Of government, he
carries them out with in0exiOle purpose. deep,
strong, abiding enthusiasm, is the feeling with which
he is everywhere regarded by his friends
4. We believe that MIR Calhoun, is al this mo =
ment the most popular candidate. At tie South,
there can be no doubt, tina, he is not merely the
chief iavore Of the people, but that they have no
other fayori,e. With the wofkirg classes If North,
too, he is an object ofthe strongest admiration. His
name cannot be mentioned in public meeting
Wthout exciting sponisn oIs out-burst of cheer.
They admire ms genls; they like his frank and
manly bearing; they feel a common attachment 10
his principles; and they esteem him for hrs unsulied
and generous character.
The Morning Pos, jusiif,s It's agitation OF this
question. mo him, we are told, can spring from,
In and deliberate con'ds ration OF any gu scl
which is no, improper ilself."
ITO say that we must wait until after the Con
venton has made choice, before we begin can.
ynssng the cllmS OF candidates. is to tako the pow
er Of deei ion out Of the hands Of the people, and
10 give II 20 a mere body Of imperfect REPRESENTA-
tlyes. II We would have the Convention reject
the feelings Of the people, we mus, frs, learn what
those feelings are. through the medium Of the p oss
We wan, no caucus, debating 70 and controlling tho
popular will, but an open, unpaeked Conyen ion,
that iairy and fully embodies the preferences OF a. e
| whole democratic party"