The Whig standard., 1843-12-16
W AS HIN GTO N.
SATURDAY MORNING, DEC. le, ls43.

SATURDAY MORNING, DEC. l6, ls43
Mr.. CALHOUN AND THE PRESIDENCY.
Below we copy an article from the American
Sentinel, Philadelphia, with the comments there
on BY the editor Of the Spectator, which we take
to be intended as reply to the various articles
in The Van Buren, papers Of the country, declar-
ing, in exulting terms, the intention Of Mr. Cal
houn to withdraw from the canvass for the nomi
nation to the Presidency. The Van Buren tao
ticians know full well how effective is the
report, if generally credited, that an individual
is about to withdraw in weakening him; and
they have resorted to this trick for the purpose
Of driving Mr.. Calhoun from the course, aud
leaving the track free to their favorite. The
tame and spiritless manner in which the friends
Of MIR. Calhoun submitted to the arrogant dicta-
tion of the Van Buren, men in the organization
of the House, certainly gave the latter reason to
believe they could browbeat them and their fa-
vorite from the canvass and into the support of
Mr.. Van Buren; but, Judging from the tone of
the Spectator Of Tuesday evening, they reck-
oned without their host. There is the spirit of
resistance in its language, and we respect those
who use it far more than we did while they were
manifesting so much pusallanimity in the organi-
zation of the House The Editor says:
q To grasp power by any and every means
might sometimes be polite; but. in free and
enlightened country, whose whole system of go
vernment is based on a jealousy Of power, he
who seeks to engrvss it for his elevation, ire
spective Of the people and the Constitution, may
be very great politician, but prove also very
great simpleton The people love virtue. They
love disinterestedness and generosity. They
love justice and the Constitution; but, above ali
they love themselves. They cannot see with
appreciation man seeking elevation by paths he
himself has prescribed They will ever doubt
the man who seems to place the Constitution of
his country as inferior 10 his ambition. They
will not bear that they Should be thrust aside in
the creation of their Chief Magistrate; and the
whole disposition Of the Presidency be placed
in the hands Of irresponsible caucus leaders.
Mr.. Van Buren's friends may not see, or despise
these truths, but they will make his steps to tot
ter as he moves to the Presidency. If they had
been true on the tariff question, and just on the
organization of the National Convention, they
would have placed him, where he ought to
have been, above suspicion or reproach in seek
ing Office, and at the head of united party to
attain it. As ii is, they have scattered doubt
poets for the Presidency in the blackness of
darkness" They have armed the Wings, and
disarmed him, for this great contest"
But to the article to which we first alluded,
and the comments ofths Spectator thereon.
From the Philadelphia american Sentinel
"MR. CALHOUN.
ave learn from " ashington that there is no
foundation for the rumor, SO industriously circu-
lated, that Mr.. Calhoun has withdrawn, or is
about to withdraw, from the field as Presiden-
tial candidate. So far from it, his friends are as
zealously urging his nomination as ever, and are
not likely TO relinquish their exertions, until the
nomination shall be made at Baltimore. This we
presume, will be the case with the friends of all
the other Democratic candidates. 1t is idle to
imagine that the election of Printer or Ser
geant-at-Arms, determines who will be the De-
mocratic candidate for the Presidency"
From, the Spectator.
"The above extract from the American Senti-
mel speaks what is certainly true The election
of its officers by the House of Representatives,
may indicate the political or Presidential prefer
ences OF the individual members and may show
how stands the majority, but it BY no means es-
tabishes the fact that this majority is to govern
and control the will Of the great body Of the De-
mocratic party.
"On the contrary, the proscriptive course Of the
majority, may be from consciousness of weak
ness, or want of policy or temper; bat most
assuredly it cannot show that the minority are con-
ciliated and disarmed. Whether the National
Convention will harmonic the party, or exas-
perate its differences, will be matter very much
dependent on its own action, and the principles
Of its organization. At all events, we feel alI-
thonzed IN saying TO those who have been so
busy In circulating the rumor, or in adopting the
opinion, that the friends of the great Southern
statesman have, or intend to withdraw him. from
the field Of selection, they most sadly deceive
themselves. His friends act upon high and con-
trolling principles and great measures in sup
porting him; and until these are settled, and
settled satisfactorily, they do not intend to yield
10 friend or foe."
This is no eqnivocal language; it is plain Eng
lish, and we should think nigh, be understood
without the help of dictionary. Now, Messrs.