The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-02-08
MIR. wEBsTER,s LErTEa.

parag apts are. perhaps, the mosi significant.
aud will doubtless elicit very general vernark.
We would remark that il is not quite clear 10
meur," ediireIy and unequiv ocaliy relinquishes
his claims, asserted by his friends, TO be the
candidate.
This letter is dated however, the day after
Mr. Websler's arrival in Washington. Whether
the occurrences since tina, date have strength
ened or weakened his impressions of the future,
of course we are unable TO say
WAsHnoros, Jan. 3, 1914.
GENTLEMEN: l have received your letter, request
ing permission TO present my name to the people
candidate for the office Of the President Of he Unite
States subject the future wise deliberate action OF
The Wing National Convention OF 1874
II would be disngenuous to withhold an pres ion
Of the grateful feelings awakened by letter contain
ing such request, 8, very numerously signed, and
coming from among those who have known me
through life. No one can be insensible 10 the dis
nclon OF being regarded by any respectable number
OF his fellow citizens, as among those from whom a
choice OF President might he made, with honor and
safety To the county.
The Office of the President is an Office the import-
ance OF which cannot be too highly estimated He
who fills Il, necessarily exercises great Dtuence not
only all the dome. Tic interests of the country ON
It's foreign relations and the support of lis honor and
character among the nations Of the earth but on ina,
which is of the very highest import to the happiness
the people, the maintenance of the Constitution itself
and the prosperous continuance of the Government
under ii.
Our systems are peculiar and while capable as
experience has shown, OF producing the most iavora-
bic results under wise and cautious administrat ton,
they are, nevertheless, exposed to peculiar dangers
We have six and twenty States each possessing nh
n ltrpII of Ia,
Constitution OF The United States aud we have a
General Government, to which arc coniided high
trusts 10 be exercised for the benefit of the people
all the States. II is obvious that this division pow
ers itself the result Of novel and mos, delicate pc
lit cal operation be preserved only by the exercise
OF wisdom 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 entertained for it will be increas
&c, by every instance of wise, prudent, impartial
and parental administration On the other hand, they
will be diminished by every Administration which
shall cherish local divisions devote itself to local in
terests seek to bend the influence of Government to
personal partisan purposes 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
much deprecate on his own account as well as on
account of his country, that the Constitution of the
admiration Of the world, should become weakened in
IFS foundations, perverted in its principles fallen
and sunk, IN natl ms regard and nations hopes,
by his own iolles, errors, or mistak S. The Consu
tuition made for the good Of the country this the
People know.
Its faithful administration promoted that good this
the people know. The people will themselves defend
IT against all foreign power, and open force and they
will rightfully hold to Just and solemn account
those, to whose hands they commit it, and in whose
hands it shall be found be shorn of single beam
OF It's honor, Oh deprived OF particle of its capacity
for usefulness IL was made for an honest people,
and they expect il to be honestly administered.
Al the present moment, it is an object of general
respect, confidence and affection Questions have
arisen, however, and likely to rise again, upon the
extent OF ITS powers or upon the line which separate
the functions of the General Government from those
OF the State Governments; and those questions will
require, whenever they may occur, not My frmress
but much discretion prudence and impartiaty in the
head Of tie National Executive.
Extreme counsels Of extreme opinions or either
side, would be very likely, il followed or adopted to
break up the well ad jused balance Of the whole
And he who has the greatest confidence in his own
judgment, or the strongest reliance his good
fortune, may yet be well dident of his ability to dis
charge the duties Of this trust in such manner as
shall promote the public prosperity, advance his
own reputation.
But, gentlemen while he Office of President is
quite too high to be sought by personal solicitation
for private ends and Objects II is not 10 be de-
ciined, # Profered by the voluntary desires Of free
people.
Ii is more than thirty years since YOU and
your fellow citizens OF New Hampshire assigned me,
part in political affairs. My public conduct, since
that period, is known. My opinions on the great
questions most interesting TO the country nreI
known. The constitutional principles, which have
endeavored to maintain, are also known II these
principles and these opinions, now most likely to be
materially changed, should recommend me TO further
marks of public regard aud confidence / should not
withhold myself from compliance with the general
will But have no pretensions of my 10
bring forward, and trust that no fr ends OF mine
would at any time use my name for the purpose Of
pre5entng harmony among those whose general po-
Itcal opinions coLcur, for any cause whate ver
but conscientious regard TO the good Of the coun-
try.
II is obvious, gentlemen, that at The present mo.
ment the tendency OF opinion among those to be
presented in the Convention is generally and strongly
set IN another direction. ] think it my duty there
fore, under existing circumstances, 10 request those
who may feel preference for me not TO indulge
IN tina, preference, nor oppose any obstacle to the
leading wishes Of political friends, TO united and
cordial efforts for the accomplishment of those
wishes.
The election Of the next autumn may involve in
general, the principles aud the same questions
az belonged 10 that Of 1870. The cause, conceive
TO be the true Of the country, its permsnen
prosperity, and all its great Interests the cause OF
its peace, and lis honor the cause Of good govern
men true liberty, and the preser, alton and integrity
Of the Constitution and should despair of its
success
am, gentlemen,
With s.ntimcnts OF sincere regard,
Your Obliged and obedient servant,
DANIEL WEBSTER.
To Messrs. John Haven, John p. Lyman, and others,
al. -.