New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-11-04
Democracy, by Democratic. 3.

To The Editor OF the Tribune:
Nv last No. closed with a promise to describe
what sort Of a person was needed for Chief
Magistrate, and what would be expected OF him
BY the people. From the facle method We have
in the manufacture of great men, one would IN
cline to the opinion that such persons were by no
means scarce in the country. Yet | am satisfied
they are very scarce indeed 1t is extremely eS-
pcnsive for man to be truly great in the United
States, and but few can afford it. The wealth
which our public men love to hoard is popularity,
and most of them are too selfish and tlmd to
risk it by the advocacy of great and for the time
being, unpopular measures most Of them are
content with being placed in situations which
truly great men only should occupy, and they
take much greater pains to place themselves IN
such relation to the people than they do IN pre-
pariEg themselves for the discharge OF the duties
which their vanity alone has imposed on them.
These remarks are as true when applied to Con-
grcss as they arc when applied to our Common
Council, and are made for the purpose OF bring
ING to the consideration of our "sober second
thoughts the claims which these pretendcrs to
true greatness set up in virtue Of their having
had the good fortune to be less than accidentally
for that is providentially) elevated to Office.
1t is because regard Mr.. Van Buren, as belong
inc to the class Of men whom accident, policy
and panegyric, have made great that prefer he
should not expose himself to the anger of the
gods nor draw too largely on the support of his
associates, by becoming candidate again. Ad-
olson tells us that ''the wisest politicians, who
are nothing but politicians, are apt to be stark
blind when a MONDAY sun could scarce guide
their steps Alright That sage philosopher must
have alluded to well-known phenomena of the
age in which he lived, or he would have prophe-
sled of that in which we have the felicity and
the turmoil of being in and part of. But |
must not forgetmy promise. The Country wants
for Chief Magistrate man of character, not
one Of mere reputation. mans life and aims
declare his character. The press and his party
can give him nothing more than reputation
The distinction between Federal Republicans
and National Republicans has been kept out of
SIGHT entirely by the timid and riSk-nothlng poll
cy of Mr., Van Buren, and his associates, nor have
the friends of Mr.. Clay, nor the gallant Harry
himself exhibited any anxiety to incur the re-
sponsibility of explaining the difference. Some
of the disasters which have bcfalen the Wing
party NAV be with much fairness attributed TO
their tmld policy. The Wings need Freling-
huysen among them.
/ now come to the point-Mr. Calhoun is the
esact representative and expression Of what is
meant by Federal Republican, and Mr.. Clay is
precisely the same in relation to what is intended
by National Republican. Under the banners of
two such cypositors Of our country's Constitu-
ton, men may honorably enter the lists on either
side, for both propose the freedom of the citizen,
and the glory of the nation. Mr.. Van Buren,
knows that Democratic form Of Government
is not possible, and he ought to be ashamed to
WOO his mistress the Presidential chair under
an dlias. A man of character, then, is the per-
son we shall need for the Presidency the ensuing
term.
In my next shall say what will be expected
by the Republican party of such Chief Magis-
trate. BRIAREUS.