New-York daily tribune., 1843-08-22
THE TRIBUNE.
Mr.. Webster and the Whigs.'

icuU Soul 0iiuSi tHC iDo'O "i''iN4 W
Friday, with not little surprise. 1t was not
until reading it second time, and with more
attention than | usually bcstow on newspaper
article, that could divine your object IN writing
it. Mr.. Webster is private man tor the flrst
time in many years, he is devoted to the duties
OF his profession of Counselor at Law. Thus,
in retirement he is assalled in a Wing paper, IN
the city of New York, edited by a son of New
Hampshire, like himself Wherefore What
has occasoned the attack Why, it would ap-
pear, on examining your article, that it was called
forth by letter from one "wllo calls himself
Working Meehanic Where is the letter?
turned TO the first page of your paper, and began
at the column headed Morchouse Union," and
carefully examined every paragraph to the last
advertisement signed "GRINNELL MINrURN &
CO.. on the fourth page, but could not find the
communication signed "a Working Mechanic"
Here then, twas my refection) a working me-
chanic, expressing, no doubt, the views and feel.
ings of many Of his own class, has thought proper
to write something favorable to one who, during
e long course Of public life, has proved himself
the workingman's friend his communication
cannot find admittancc in a Wing paper yetit is
made the occasion Of public attack, in lead
ing editorial, upon the object of his admiration
and regard. Is this fair play The Editor of
the Tribune is Wing, his paper is a Wing pa
per, and if any Wing will exto the man whose
name he has placed at the head Of his paper as
his Candidate for the Presidency, his comnun-
cation will doubtless be received with approba-
ton, but if he desires to make known to the
public sentiments in favor Of another Wing, how
ever distinguished, his communication is buried
IN the Editors Sanctum among things TO be
destroyed, and the only way the public hears Of
it is through an attack upon the very man whom
he designed to advocate and uphold. Yet the
Tribune is one of the channels through which
many believe public sentiment flows.
Upon reading farther | discovered another
reason for the attack. 1t appears there is pa
per in circulation in New Hampshire for the pur-
pose of receiving signatures, containing an invl-
taton, addressed 10 Mr.. Webster, to allow his
name TO be used in the Wing Convention as
Candidate for President of the United Statcs.-
This you are pleased 70 call a "hollow and rcuc-
tant compliment" You doubtless know New
Hampshire Wings better than | do; they may
be hypocrites and deccivcrs. But | had not
the authority Of a native son of New Hampshire,
a State in which have never been, to the con-
trary, should suppose those same Wings would
most heartily support that man whose name has
done more to render ilustrious the State of their
residence than the name of any other man born
init. You, sir, will not--you cannot deny, that
in after times, there Will be one spot OF earth
more sought after by the lovers of genius, of clo
quence and enlightened liberty, than any another
in the Granite State, and that spot will be the
birthplace of Webster. If you should ever
hereafter. find it convenient TO travel in Europe
and should mnngle, as you are entitled to mlngie,
with the distinguished men of that Continent,
DOUBT whether you would omit to tell them, with
no ordinary feelings of pride, g nine IS the native
State of Daniel Webster
Had kentucky such man as Webster who
can question that her SONS would claim Tor hun
the preemlnencc over any other man, llvlDg or
dead have indeed some evidence that the
sons of New Hampshire are not, in this respect,
precisely like the sons OF Old Kentuck, yet but
for your testimony on the point, | should have
given the Wings of New Hampshire, who had
signed the paper expressing their preference tor
Mir. Webster, credit for sincerity. While ad
mt, MIR. Editor your superior knowledge OF
Ncw-Hampshlre men, | cannot make the same
concession to the superiority of your knowledge
IN respect TO the opinions and preferences of the
people of The whole Union.
You will excuse me therefore for not concuTng
IN the declaration that there is not an Electoral
District in the Union which could be induced to
send a Delegate IN good faith favorable to such
(Mr. Wcbsier's] nominations" 1t is very diff
cult to reconcile this statement with facts which
We certainly know We know that every Speech
OF Mr. Webster upon Il public question, is sought
alter with more avlti.y than the Speech OF any
ether public man III the country, without eXcep-
ton. The very boys who hawk about the daily
newspapers OF the city are witnesses on this
pomt--et II contain Speech Of Mr. Webster,
and the paper sells. You viii not deny that his
opinions influence vast amount of mind in this
country. Why is tins Surely it is because the
people have confidence in Mr.. Webster.
1t is not too much to say, that if The rights and
interests of this country were to have but one
representative IN soE:e great Congress of Ma
TONS, convened to settle the principles ofNational
Law, vast majority of the people would regard
Daniel W cpster, above all other men, as the most
suitable Representative to be selected Now TO
say OF such man, so respected, so honorcd, so
deferred to, that there is not majority OF voters
in single Election District in the country, who
would wish to see him nominated for the Presi.
dency, is, it seems to me, not little adventurous.
You have fallen INTO an error, Mr.. Editor,
by supposing that the sentiments of u few active
politicians are the sentiments Of the great body
Of the People. You say that Mr.. Webster has
disspatcd the capital he had in the bank OF popu
larity. You admit then, that he once had capital,
How has he lost it I? You say it has been lest
since he was appointed Secretary of State.
Now there is not an intelligent, well-in:ormed