Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1844-02-15

United States. Mr.. Websier's letter win be-
Tread with interest;
wAsHisGroN, jan. 3, 1874.
/ Gentlemen I'll have received your let
Tier. requesting permission to present my
name to the People, as d Candidate, for
1.-THE office Of President Of Tie United States,
Subject to the future wise, deliberate ac-
llIon Of the Wing National Convention of
ll644."
| Y Awould be Aisingenuous 10 withhold an
expression Of the grateful feelings awaked
by letter, containing such request, so
livery numerously signed, and coming from
among those who have knpwn me through
life. No one can be insensible TO The
ldistinctio0 OF being regarded by any re.
lspectable number of his fellow citizens. as
among those from whom i choice Of Pres.
lident might be made, with honor and
safety TO the country. I*
/ The office OF President is an office, the
importance oil which cannot be too high
lily estimated. He who fills il, necessarily
lexcercises great influence. not only on
Jail the domestic interests OF the country,
lon its foreign relations, and the support
lof its honor and character among the ma
ltions Of The earth. but on that, which is Of
the very highes, import to the happiness
Iof the people, the maintenance OF the
Constitution itself, aud the prosperous
continuance Of the Government under it.
j Our systems are peculiar; aud while ca.
pable, as experience has shown, of produ-
icing the most favorable results, under
wise aud cautious administrations, they
are, nevertheless, exposed to peculiar
dangers. We have six and twenty States,
each possessing within itself powers Of
government, limited only by the Consti
tuition Of the United States; and we have
L. general government, 10 which are con-
lided high trusts, 10 be exercised for the
benefit Of the people Of all the States.
II ID obvious, that this division Of pow.
Iers, itself the result Of anovel and most
delicate political operation, can be pre-
served only by the, exercise Of wisdom
and pure patriotism. The Constitution
Iof the United States stands on the basis
Iof the peoples choice. II must remain
on that basis, SO long as i. remains at all.
The veneration and love which are en-.
fterained for il, will be increased, by ev.
cry instance Of wise, prudent, impartial
and parental administration: On the ott-
Ter hand, they will be diminished by eve-
ny administration. which shall cherish To-
cal divisions, devote itself TO local inter-
ests, seek to bend the influence of the
Government TO personal. or partizan pur.
poses, or which shall forget that all pa.
trotism is false and spurious, which does
not look with equal eye tointerests Of the
whole country, and all its parts. present
land to come. | hardly know what an
American statesman should so much de-
lptecateI on. his own accodnt,.a we'll as on
accountof bis country as that the Censti.
tuition Of the United States, now the glo.
ry OF our country and the admiration Of
the world, should become weakened IN
its foundations, perverted in lis principles,
or fallen aud saak in a 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 pro.
notes that good this the people know
The people will themselves defend it a.
sainst. all foreign power. and all open
force and they will rightfully hold 10
Just and solemn account, those, TO whose
hands they may commit it, and in whose
hands it shall be shorn of single beam
of its honor or deprived Of particle Of its
capacity for usefulness. At the present
moment, il is an object Of general respect,
confidence and affection. Questions have
arisen, however, and are likely TO arise a.
gain, upon the extent of lis powers, or
upon the line which separates ths func.
lions OF the General Government from
those of the State Governments; andthese
questions will require, wheneYerihevma
occur, not only hrmness. but much dis
erection, prudence and impartialitY5in The
Head Of The National Executive. Ex-
| treme counsels or extreme opinions on
either side, would be very likely If fol-.
lowed or adopted, 10 break up the well
adjusted balance ofthe whole And he
who has the greatest confidence in his
own Judgment, DR. the strongest reliance
on his own good fortune, may yetbe well
difident Of his ability 10 discharge the
duties Of this trust. in such manner as
shall promote the public prosperity, or
advance bis own reputation.
But. gentlemen. while The Office Of
President is quite too high to be sought
by personal solicitaiiop16E for private ends
and objects, il is not 10 2be declined If
profered BY The voluntary desire Of free
people.
It's now more than thirty years since
You and your fellow-ciiizens of New
Hampshire, assigned me part ID your
political affairs. My public conduct since
that period is known. My opinions :,
the great questions now most .nteres,;ns
to the country are known. The copst;,ns.
tone. PRINCIPLES which have endeayor.
ed TO maintain are also known. Ifgahese
principles and these opinions, now not
likely 10 be materially. changed, should
recommend me TO further marks Of p1b.
lie regard and confidence, should not
withhold myself from compliance with
the general will. But have no pre.en
sions ofmy own to bring forward, and
trust that no friends Of mine would at anv
time use my name for The purpose Of pre-
venting harmony among those whose
general political opinions concur, OF for
any cause whatever. but concienlious
regard to The good .. the country.
II IS obvious. gentlemen. that at The |
present moment thetendency Of opinion
3 NJ snr fhouc n he re- 20 r. ~ 4 =, fhta o.