The Whig standard., 1843-12-12
W A IL N G 7 @ N.
TUESDAY MORNING, DEC. f2. ls43.
PARTIES.

TUESDAY MORNING, DEC. 12, lS43.
PARTIES
well-timed remarks upon parties, expressing
thoughts upon their formation in despotic and
free governments in which we entirely concur. |
From portion of the article, however, we beg
leave to differ.
eve are led to these reflections" says the
writer, from the tone of the press generally
as to the candidates for the next Presidency
They are not advocated on the ground that they
represent the great principles which divide the
two great parties Of the country. These fall in,
it is true, occasionally, like ballast to ship,
having nothing to do with it as an impelling
power. Personal qualifications and characters
tics-generous selfsacrifces-party retrbuuon
and party vindictiveness- constitute the staple
of the appeals to the people for their support
Instead Of the question simply being-who best
understands and can direct the great principles
Of the party in the business of legislation-who
best can carry out and stamp these principles
into the Government by pure, wise, and eDer-
getic administration we have personal appeals
10 our sympathies, our gratitude, or admiration
as if the qualification Of the feelings and affec-
tions not the stern interests and liberties of the
people, were the objects to be subserved in the
Presidential election"
We cannot agree with the editor that the can
didates for the next Presidency are not advocated
Oh the ground that they represent the great prin-
ciples which divide the two great parties of the
country. Two of the candidates spoken Of for
that high office, at least, are, in our opinion, ad
vocated upon that ground namely, Mr.. Clay
and Mr. Calhoun. Is it not SO !? Surely it is
not on account of personal qualifications and
characteristics self-sacrifces---party
retribution and party vindictiveness, that their
respective parties support these eminent men,
much as those qualifications and circumstances
may serve to increase the ardor Of attachment to
them, and the zeal with which they, the rep
resentatives of certain principles, are supported.
We are quite sure, that were Mr.. Clay to an
nounce an entire change i'll his mind in regard to
the great principles which the Wing party of
the country advocate, much as they admire his
frank, honest, and manly course, his command
ing eloquence, his generous selfsacri6ces, and
his devoted patriotism, they would abandon him
as their candidate for the next Presidency: and
we believe it would be the same case with Mr.
Calhoun and his friends, weie he to announce an
entire change in his opinions. As TO other can
didates for the Presidency-candidate whom we
must suppose The writer had in his minds eye
when he penned his remarks-we cannot deny
If such were the fact, their truth, SO far as they
apply TO them. Mr.. Van Buren is certainly sup
ported by men holding, or protesting 10 hold, op-
posie opinions upon some Of the most important
questions which now divide the people; and
whether he processes TO be on the one side or
the other Of these questions, or gives out re-
sponses conciding with both, as in the cases Of
the Richmond and the Indiana letters, is mat
ter of no moment and will not cause the advo-
Gates of either the one or the other side Of these
important questions to wax or wane in zeal for
his election.
But if we understand the organs Of Mr.. Cal
houn, the portion of the party which prefers him
TO Mr.. Van Buren, are ready TO support the lat
ter if nominated, Notwithstanding some of them,
even the Spectator itself, have declared that
there was an irreconcileabe difference upon prin-
ciple between the two sections of the party