The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-04
Ffsa Ns Esltimsps rarassissS
The GREAT WING CONVENTION or
RATIFICATION


RATIFICATION,
-Four years ago on this spot the people met in
councll--a multitudinous array-to give warning
to an oppressive Administration that its end was
at band and now, on the same spot, another vast
array is congregated, more numerous than the
other-and for what! Why have the People met
again in this place! What means this imposing
attitude of National Sovereignty thus exhibited in
the gathering of representative host brought
together from all parts of this great Republic !!
1t is to make good the solemn DEGREES of the Con-
ventltn OF lS40-to reerate the principles then
maintained, and to make known to all that neither
disappointment nor disaster-neither difficulties
TO be met nor treachcry which betrays-nothng
within the power OF man or the limits of human
contlngences-can beat down the Undesirable
spirits Of the Wings of this Union, or defeat the
determined purpose for which they are banded
together in the unity of political Brotherhood
country TO be served--a Government to be res
cued from the control Of evil principles and in.
competent--a new basis of constitutional conser-
vatism to be estabshed-a firm foundation to be
given to sanatlve policy, wise, practical, compre-
hensve-these subjects great enough to in
spire resolution and energy, to call forth renewed
efforts under all circumstances of successful or
untoWards results, and to keep great party firm,
unwaverlng end perseverng in the noble purpose
to which it is devoted
But the more immediate purpose of the con-
venton was to confirm the nominations of the
National Convention for the high Offices of Pre-
sident and Vice President of the United States
The CONVENTION OF RATIFIcATIoN-tha is
the phrase. The People, through their mass of
Representatives, were TO pronounce upon the ac-
ton of the grave nominating body appointed to
select candidates for The high places Of the Gov
eminent. The voice of approval was to confirm
the choice of those empowered to make choice,
and TO pronounce in anticipation the sanction of
the whole country upon the selection
When the resolution was announced declaring
the concurrence of the Ratification Convention in
the nomination Of HENRY CLAY FOR THE
PRESIDENCY, the sight was one worth pill
grimage to see. 1t exhibited an earnest of that
long delayed yet always accumulating acknowledge
ment due for years of devoted and faithful service
from grateful country to worthy son. Butwe
must not anticipate in our notice of this memoir
able day.
THEODORE FRELINGHUYsEN FOR
THE VICE PRESIDENCY-this was the other
nomination to be ratified, and most agreeable was
the duty to be discharged in this behalf. An em.
inent citizen now to be made more dstng ushed
not by reason of his own obtrusion of his pre-
tensions, but by the wise discrimination of his
fellow citizens cognizant of his worth and prompt
to acknowledge it. His character and services,
already proved and tested, gave promise of future
usefulness in sphere of action more exalted than
that in which he had shown the sterling qualities
of his nature-and 10 here was the call to sum-
mon him to his high place.
1t was to be expected that with the example of
1910 and its disastrous results before their eyes
the nominating convention would exercise more
than ordinary care in the selection of a candidate
for the Vice Presidency. In view of contingent
cy which, as it has happened once, may happen
agaln-in view OF the uncertainty of human life
under all varieties of circumstances-it was the
duty of the convention to take good care that ii
by mysterious dispensation of Providence the
chosen of the People should be taken away from
us during his term of Presidential service, his
mantle should fall upon one worthy to wear it.
And well have they performed this duty. Let
the responding acclamatIons of the ratifying host
bear Wltness-et the approving voice of the Ma
ton give testimony, as it will, to the proprety of
the selection HENRY CLAY and TIEO.
DORE FRELiNGHUYSEN! What better
names are needed as the watchwords of triumph
ant success? When could more happy combi-
nation be found prognostc of future good to the
country?
But we must proceed to set forth, as best we
may, some account of the grand pageant of this
days doings
THE GRAND PROCESSION.
AT an early hour of the morning the whole city
was stirring, and the almost innumerable hosts of
delegates from all quarters Of the Union we're
seen assembling in their various distinct organ-
cations, and afterwards pursuing their way to the
western section of the city to the places desg-
mated for the concentration of the divisions into
which the grand procession was divided. Soon
afterwards the members of the different State de-
Legations were counted for the purpose of deter
m ni nn the AWARD of the nj Dn1x U |