Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-02-22
LETTER FROM THE HON. DAN.
fFT, WEBSTER

1.-The following letter from the lion. MT
WEBSTER. in answer 10 letter from Nv,
ihundr red citizens of New Hampshire, ask
1 ing permission to urge his claims as can
ldidate FOR The Presidency Of the Unitec
States. Mr.. Webslor's reply viii be reaC
With interest:
WAsHINGToE, January 8, 1912.
Gentlemer - have received your let
ter, requesting permission topresent my
name 10 the People, as Candidate for The
Office OF President Of the United States
subject to the future wise, deliberate &C
ton of the Wing National Convention q
1874"
Ii woul1 be disingenuous 10 Withhold
an expression Of ths grateful feelings
awakened By a letter, containing such a
request, SO very numerously signed, and
coming from among those who have
known me through life. No one ean be
nsenable to tie distinction Of being re-
garded, by any respectable number of bis
fellow citizens, as among those from whom
choice Of President might be made,
with honor and safety to the county.
The Office OF President Is an office, The
Importance Of which caunot be too highly
estimated, lie who fills il, necessarily
exercises a great influence. not o0ly on
all the domestic Interests ofthe country,
on its foreign relations, and the sppp9rt
Of its honor. and character among the ma
tons Of tbe earth, but on that, which is
Of the very highest import 10 the happi-
ness If The people, the maintenance Of .ne
Constitution Itself, and the prosperous con
tinuance OF the government under H.
Our sy,tems are pecul.af; and While ca
pablo, rs experience has saDwn, ofproJuc-
my he mQatiAyuroble results, uaoer wise
aud cautious administration, they are,
nevertheless, exposed 20 pecnIt9r daugefs.
We have six AMI twenty States each pos
sessing within itself powaFs o, govern
meut, luiled ouly by the Constitution Of
the Upiled States; All We have q geuer-
al government, TO which are conGded
bigh trusts, TO be exercised ior the b5no-
fit Of the people Of ell the Stats.
Ii is obvious, tbai this division Of pow
ers, Itself lie result Ola novel and most
delicate political operation, can be pre-
served only by the exercise OF vision
and pure patriotism. The Constitution
of the United States stands on the basis OF
the peoples choice. 1t must remain on
that basis, so long as it remains at ALL
The veneration and love which are enter
tained for it, will be increased, by every
instance Of wise, prudent, impartial and
parental administration. On the other
hand, they VIII be diminished by every
administration, which shall cherish local
divisions, devote Itself to local interests,
seek 10 bend the influence of the Govern
ment 10 personal or partzan purposes, or
which shall forget that all patriotism is
false and spurious, which does not look
with equal eye TO the interests Of the
whole country, and all its parts, present
and to come. hardly know what an
American Statesman should so much de-
rn.tciate, On his own account, as well as
on account of his country, as that the
Constitution of the United Strtes, now the
glory Of our country and the admiration
of the world, should become weakened in
its foundations, perverted IN its principles,
or fallen ana sunk, in nations regard
and nations hopes, by his own follies,
errors or mistakes.
The Constitution was made for the
good Of the country; this the people know.
Its faithful administration promotes that
good; this the people know The people
will themselves defend it against all for
eign power, and all open force; and they
will rightfully hold 10 just and solemn
account, those, to whose hands they COM
nit it, and in whose hands il shall be found
to be shorn Of single beam offs honor
or deprived Of particle Of It's capacity
for usefulness. II was made for an honest
people, and they expect il TO be honestly
administered. At the present moment,
it is an object of general respect conf
dence and affoction. Questions have
arisen, however, and are likely to rise
again, upon tho extent OF It's powers, or
upon the line which separates the iunc.
tons of the General Government from
those of the State Governments; and these
questions will require, whenever they may
occur, not only frmness, but much discre-
ton, prudence and lmpartality in the
Head of the National Executive, Elk.
IRENE counseS or extreme opinions on
either side, would be very likely, if fol-.
lowed or adopted, to break up the well
adjusted balauce of the whole. And he
who has the greatest confidence ia his
own judgement, or tie strongest reliance
on his own good fortune, may yet be
well didident 0! his ability to discharge
the duties Of this trust, in such a manner
as shull promote the public prosperity, or
advance his own reputation.
But, gentlemen, while the Office OF
President is quite too high to be sought
by personal solicitation or for private
ends and objects, it is not to be declined,
If profTered by the voluntary desire OF a
free people.
1t is now more than thirty years since
you and your fellow-citlzens OF New
Hampshire, assigned mo a part in polli-
seal affairs. My public conduct since
that period is known. My opinions on
the great questions now most Interesting
10 the country are known. The coastl-
luticnal principles which have endeavor.
ed TO maintain are also known. Ii these
principles and these opinions, now not
likely to be materially changed, should