Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-08-03
RICHMOND DAILY WING.
Presidential Pursuits.
TnuRspAY MOANING. AuGrsr .. lsIa

There is something in the chase nv n weak man,
OF dignity like that of the Presidency which ir.
resistiby reminds one of that anticnt amusement
among the kittens-the trying To ovcrtakc their
own tail. The little creature spins around forever
IN the same place, each moment persuaded that il
is ON the point of grasping its object, while every
effort 1T makes only to whiSk what it runs al.
ter farther ont of its reach. Such is pretty much
the grave piece of folly upon which the country has
been condemned to look, since our present 81
gacious ruler caught a sight of his own tail, and
took 1t for the Presidency, which was following
him about
There is, however, another spectacle. frequent
enough in windy times which affords still better
image OF chase after n great popular dignity
we mean that spectacle so divcrting To every body
but the principal actor in it, OLA man chasing fiji.
si,ivc hat oi straw palm.lcaf which some irolic
breeze has snached from his head. and carries. in
wild and wavcring whirls along wcll.irequcntc,l
street. On strips the truant beaver before him. re-.
locing in appearance at his mcommiscrated mis-.
hap, and his hair that
=" Streams like meteor TO the troubled air."
Perhaps he is slow of foot. or short of wind, in
spite of the abundance oi it around him. The
gaze after him. too; the glee with which passcrs-
by leach holding his own hcad-piccc fast on with
one hand) consider the involuntary exercise he is
undergoing the bets he NAV overhear rs To the
event at the race (some backing the hat and some
himscli--bu straw-hat decidedly the f,vouritc y
all are circumstances emnrntN fit To shake his
compoSurc. in the midst of an effort demanding the
fullest possession ofall his faculties. For cons,im.
male GOODNESS, and wonderful degree of Judge.
ment are requisite in catching a hat or the Prcsi.
dency. In a chase oiSuch uncertain event. it won't
do to put forth all ones speed at oncc-bcsdes that.
perhaps this sort of is oftcncr lost by running
too fast than loo slow: moreover one NAV tramplc
the crown ont, in catching il. That seems To be
the danger in Mr. Calhoun'S case he has already
more than once nearly demolished his castor. with
out catching it. Old Tom Benton. being some
what Pursy. takes it coolly and goes for walking a
ter 1t till the wind stops blowing. Jimmy Bucha-
mans case being still more desperate as to run
ming fast or far, he looks aslant after it, and with
winning smile, solicitS the popular gale to waf
it back To him, with all the hopes of sailor whist
ling for the wind. Little Matty, though a good
deal too short in the legs, and lately ''et down.
(as the racers saw in another heat, places his
hopes in hedging and iockeyship.
The best way, however, for him who runs either
tor his hat the chief magistracy, is Just to keep
close upon for time. Don't break yollr neck
after 1t, like Mr. Calhoun; let it he quite blown
out of sight, Messrs. Benton and Buchanan do
Still less go snatching at IT, at every step, like glo-
rious John duckng and diving after it, when YOU
are not within mile of il. BE steady, and vet be
swift Try, too to look particularly discngagcd all
the time, as If YOU were only going about your bu.
sness. BE quick. but cautious and watch your OPP
portunity-ior all depends on that. Run on ifp pos
sibe. till YOU get some distance ahead oft; then
If no cToSs-wnd comes To snatch il from YOUR GRASP
stand STILL turn round, and folks will see il coming
to YOU, instead Of you after it. STILL when the de.
cisive moment comes, don't be too sure; don't fling
yourself flat upon it, if certain of it, no. nor set
down right on the end, if YOU had only to let it
run into your arms; but rather squat upon YOUR
hams, that you shall be able To shift your posi-.
ton in some innocent degree and then, with arms
spread sklfully the wings of a patridgc-net,
wait for it to come. Now, when YOU have it as
good rs baggcd, land not till now) make a rapid
dive, and as you duck, seize it by the crown. Hav-
ing taken it with the sure bai-writ and your
thumb and fore fingers, lift it high in the air. wave
it thrice about your victorious head; salute with cx-
tcnded arm the admiring bcholdcrs; stick it on your
noodle as if grew there; smile pleasantly, as you
and your hat understood each other perfectly, and
had equally enjoyed the sport and walk off about
your business, if nothing at all had happened,
Just as one Harry Clay" will do, not very long
hence.