The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-06-16

Popudrtty- 1dse-Piety and Positipeness.
JAMES GORDON BENNErr:--
DEAR SlR:-
Col Richard M. Johnson has gone from among
us, leaving an ndellbe impression on the hearts OF
thousands OF his counrymen, of his superior abii-
ties, unspotted integrity and exalted patriotism
The political antagonists of this distinguished
statesman, and the parzans and parasites of his
competitors, may seek to conceal or disguise the
fact Of his unbounded popularity for the purpose of
gratifying sordid ambilion but as an eye witness
to his reception in this city and Louisiana, can
safely confirm the truth of the observation made by
Oldest citizens OF opposite political sentiments.
that the people OF Louisiana and Mississippi have
never manifested the same degree of enthusiasm.
applause and gratitude Tor the of any other pub
lie servant that has heretofore visited them unless
we may except the first visit Of General Jackson to
the South, after the battle OF New Orleans | wit.
messed the reception OF Mr.. Van Buren, at New Or.
cans in the spring OF 1912, and OF Henry Clay in
this city some three months SINCE and feel bound
in candor to state, without fear Of contradiction,
that the demonstrations made In behalf OF Colonel
Johnson, far exceeded theirs. 1t is not my design
10 make lnvldlOus comparisons between the promi
nent men OF our own or OF the opposite political
party but must be allowed to express my firm con.
vlction that one OF the illusIrious personages
whose names have been connected with the highest
Office in the gift of the American people, enjoy al
this time equal popularity with the mass of the PEG.
pie IN our own and sister State, with the venerable
ex-VIce President. | have beheld with pleasing
emotions the grateful homage of thousands of hearts
beating In unison, spontaneously paying Just tribute
to one of the benetactols of our common couutrv
have witnessed the eloquent and imprisoned ex-
preston OF the war worn citizen soldier and telt a
thrill OF delight at the expression OF that generous
sympathy which links the hearts OF noble and
brave soldiers to each other" For three cOnsecu.
tive days the military Of our own city honored the
Colones visit with unequalled enthusiasm. speak
the language OF truth when say that on greeting
their distinguished guest on parting, large number
were seen 10 shed the truant tear drop, witness
OF the sincerity OF thu attachment and admiration
Tor the Colonel, and their regret at the separation
| Rest assured this ceremony was no unmeaning pa
geant 1t was evidence of their sincere friend
| ship, and it spoke the common sentiment of thous-
sands who, during his short stay among u.s. sought
TO evince their regard tor the honest and patriotic
defender of American honor and liberty. Wherever
he went, whether at Baton Rouge. Bayou Sara. or
New Orleans, the same feeling that animated the
| clIiZens of Washington on the return of Col John
son from the scene OF his glory, seemed to animate
all classes.
In descending the Father ofWaters from Nachez
TO New Orleans, 1t was not enough to hail his pre-
sence by the hiring OF cannon on meeting steamboats,
ascending the river but insignias and devices paint
ed in large letters upon flags at the different planta-
tons were frequently seen, like The following ar.
NJ. Johnson, 1918, '''Col. Dick" Thames" "Pa.
triot and Hero,'' &c; &c These demonstrations
only noticed for the purpose OF showing that his
presence was hailed wherever he went with that en-
thusiasm which characteristics the American people
in paying respect to those who have filled the meas
sure OF their country's honor. The published
counts of his reception at Jackson and Vcksburgh,
show general feeling In his behalf which surpasses
the most sangune expectations OF hlsfrlends Ii 1t
be true, as have already stated, that the recent
visit of Col. Johnson proves cOnclusiveIy TO the
| minds of the unpreudiced, popularity unequalled
by any of the DISTINGUISHED gentle whose names
have been suggested in connection with nomina-
tIoH for the Presidency, in order TO our sup
port OF his claims tor the nomination, we have only
enquire further whether he is honest and capable
He has shown himself TO be a talented and able wri-
ter all the prominent measures that have agitated
the American people since he first (vz 1867 enter.
ed the political arena and although his friends do
not claim tor him the transCendant abilities which
shine forth IN the councils of The nation conspc
uously among our first orators, yet he has proved
himself adequate 10 the exgencles OF all occasions
IN Congress; and on his recent visit he has been so
fellcitlous in his speeches on more than occa-
sion as TO command the admiration and applause of
the most infuen and talented men in our own
and sister State Ihave listened with the pride of
native American to the pathetic and eloquent
speeches of our first orators, but their exord,ums
have never more sensibly affected me than some of
Col Johnson's happy efforts while his late visit
And are his services, both in the council of the ma
ton and the field of ,arte for nearly forty years
dstiDg ushe alike for superior talents and patriotic
devO ion to the best interests OF his country, TO be
forgotten, while his opponents significantly enquire
what paramount claims he prefers for distinguish
ed an elevate n!
Metbnks the pages OF history, where his name
may be recorded, will declare that he has tor
himself bright memorial of dslnterested patriotism
of modern times He has emulaed the generosity OF
Arstldes when he sought a voluntary Punishment
from the Roman senate; and while his love Of mag
nanimity might forbid any acts OF his own to
a nomination by the National Convention, yet his
admirers and friends vii insist upon the preservation
OF claims which, think are in the aggregate,
unequaled by any other member of our party already
spoken Of in connection with the Presidency And
what claims, ask, is worthy OF more serious cen
sideraon in the eyes OF true rhiianthropist than
tho will of a mi itu of
Pile ? Shall minority, composed care not of what
materials, arrogate to themselves dictatoriel
pemacy In the disposition OF the highest and most
honorable office in the universe More especially
when surreptous course might endaneer the foal
triumph of those fundamental principles which we
all cherish dearer than the expectation of
any man or set OF men? The true oracle ofdemoc-
racy would net hesitate to respond that the will of
the majority should govern ir all cases. whenever it
can be clearly asceriained. The friends ofColone
johnson claim for him (and the friends and advo-
candid and not inattenve to the indications re.
emily manifested in behalf of Col Johnson do not
Iestae to admt) throughout all classes Of society,"
in this part OF the country from the highest the
lowest, a popularity unequaIled, beyond all doubt
by either of the other candidates. and yet il is not
unusual to hear the opinion expressed that little |
log rolling will, unless strongly. guarded against
succeed in defeating his nomination.
This opinion is undoubtedly founded in the fact |
that the friends of Col. Johnson (althoueh they |
number, both in louisiana and Mississippi, an equal
number of distinguished men with those who sup |
port Mr.. Van Buren, and much greater than those of
Mr.. Calhoun,) are so inactive that the few friends |
OF Calhoun, the detected politicians of Van Burens
and jackson 8 Administration seek through the pub
lie prints give the impression to other portions of
the Union that Yam Buren, and Calhoun are the only |
names mentioned here in connection with the office.
But should the time OF the holding of the Con-
venton be in accordance with the expressed wishes
of the Democratic party of Mississippi and other
States, believe that the Omn,potence OF the people
will exercise controlling power over The insidious
designs of the clamorous Office seekers thwart thar
unhoy ambition which would avoid true express
sion of public sentiment, and give the nomination
TO the lad vdual who will unite his support those
contendng Interests, which must inevitably secure
Il triumphant victory to the Democratic party
We believe the nomination of Col Johnson would
be hailed with JOY from one end Of the United
States to the other; and his friends, seeing the