The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-02-09

answer 10 a letter from two hundred citizens of
New Hampshire, asking permission to urge his
claims as a candidate for the Presidency OF the
United States Mr.. Webster's reply will be read
with interest:
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 1912.
GENTLEMEN: have received your letter, re-
guessing -"permlsson to present my name to the
People, as Candidate for the Office of Presiden,
OF the United States, subject to the future wise,
deliberate action of the Wing National Conven-
ton OF lS44.''
1t would be dsingenuous to withhold an ex-
preston Of the grateful feelings awakened by a
letter, containing such request, so very numer-
ousy signed, and coming from among those who
have known me through life No one can be in
sensible to the distinction of being regarded, by
any respectable number of his fellow -ctizens, as
among those from whom choice Of President
might be made, with honor and safety to the
country.
The office of President is an office, the i'm
portance of which cannot be too highly estimaed.
he who fills it, necessarily exercises great in
fuence, not only on all the domestic interests of
the country on its foreign relations, and the sup
port OF its honor and character among the ma .ons
OF the earth, but on that, which is of the very
highest import to the happiness of the people. the
maintenance of the Constitution itself, and the
prosperous continuance of the government under
1t. Our systems are peculiar; and while capa-
BILE, as experience has shown, Of producing the
most favorable results, under wise and cautious
administration, they are, nevertheless exposed to
peculiar dangers. We have six and twenty
States, each possessing within itself powers OF
government, limited only by the Constitution OF
the United States and we have General Gov
eminent, to which are confded high trusts, to
be exercised for the benefit of the people of all the
States. a a
It's obvious, that tkis division of powers, itself
the result of a novel and most delicate political
operation, can 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 increased,
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 interests, seek to bend the influence of the
Government to personal or partisan 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 a it's
parts, present and to come. hardly know y hat
an American statesman should SO much deprec te,
on his own account, as well as on account O. lis
country, as that the Constitution of the u ID
States, now the glory of the country and Il, d
miratiOn Of, the world, should become weakened
in its foundations, perverted in its principles or
fallen and sunk, in nations regard and nations
hopes, by his own follles, errors, or mistakes.
The Constitution was made for the good OF the
country; this the people know. Its faithful adj
minisration promotes that good this the peo-
pie know. They wilthemselves defend il against
all foreign power, and all open force; and they
will rlgh fully hold to just and solemn account,
those, TO whose hands they commit il, and in
whose hands it shall be found to be shorn of sin
gle beam Of its honor or deprived Of particle Of
Its capacity for usefulness. 1t was made for an
honest people, and they expect it to be honesty
administered. At the present moment, it an
object OF general respect, confidence, and IL &C.
ton. Questions have arisen, however, ar are
likely to rise again, upon the extent of its ow-
ers, or upon the line which separates the ti.nc-
tons of the General Government from those of
the State Governments; and these questions viii
require, whenever they may occur, not only SIM
ness, but much discretion, prudence, and in arti-
atty IN the Head OF the National Executive
Extreme counsels or extreme opinions on either
side, would be very likely if followed or adopt-
ed, 10 break up the well adjusted balance Of the
whole. And he who has the grea est confidence
IN his own judgment, or the strongest reliance
on his own good fortune, may yet be well diff,
dent of his ability ID discharge the duties OF his
trust IN such manner as shall promote the
public prosperity, or advance his own repula ion.
But gentlemen, while the office of Pres deal
is quite too high 10 be sought by personal sylci-
tation or for private ends and objects, it is not
TO be declined, if profered by the voluntary de-
sire of free people
1t is now more than thirty years since you and
your fellow citizens Of New Hampshire, assign
ed me a part in political affairs My public con
duct since that period is known. NY opinions
on the great questions now most interesting to
the country, are known. The constitutional
principles which have endeavored TO maintain
are a SO known. If these principles and these
opinions now not likely to be materially changed,
should recommend me to further marks Of pub
lie regard and confidence, should not withhold
myself from compliance with the general will
But have no pretensions of my own to bring
forward, and trust that no friends of mine would
at any time use my name for the purpose Of ore
venting harmony among those whose genera 20
90 e.,