Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-02-22


the history of The Bank, and incidentally notice
the objection 10 its COnsti,utionaity, which is de-
rived from the refusal Of the Convention TO confer
on Congress the general power to grant charters
OF incorporation.
LETTER FROM THE HON. DANIEL WEBSTER.
The Boston Courier of a late date contains the
following letter from the Hon. MIR. WEBSTER, in
answer to letter from two hundred citizens of
New Hampshire, asking permission to urge his
claims as candidate for the Presidency Of The
United States. Mr.. Webster's reply will be read
WASHINGTON, January 3, 1911.
Gentlemen 81 have received your letter, re-
questng permission to present my name 10 the
People, as Candidate for the Office of President
OF the United States, subject to the future wise,
deliberate action of the Wing National Conven-
tiun Of 1871"
1t would be disingenuoIs TO withhold an en-
preston of the grateful feelings awaked by let
ter, containing such request, so very numerous-
~ 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 citizens, as
among those from whom choice Of President
might be made, with honor and safety to the
country.
The office of President is office, II impor-
lance OF which cannot be too highly estimated.
fuence, not only Oh all The domestic interests Of
the country, On its foreign relations and the sup
port of its honor and character among the nations
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
capable, as experience has shown, Of producing
the most favorable results, under wise and eau
tlous administration, they are, nevertheless,
In nnrt, tI.r Innr .ara -, ,.,l
twenty States, each possessing within itself pow
ers Of government, limited only by the Consiitu-
ton of the United States and have gene
raj government, I. which confided high trusts,
to be exercised for the benefit of the people Of all
the States.
1t is obvious, that this division Of powers, it.
self the result of novel and most delicate poll
tlcal operation, can be preserved only by the eX-
ercise OF wisdom and pure patriotism. The Con-
sttutlon Of the United States stands on the basis
OF the peoples choice. 1t must remain that
OASIS, so long as 1t remains at all. The venera-
ton 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 eyery adj
minlstration, which shall cherish local divisions
devote Itself to local interests, seek TO bend the
influence Of the Government to personal or parti-
Ian purposes, or which, shall forget that all pa
tr,olsm is false and spurious, which does not look
with equal eye to the interests of the whole coun-
try, and all its parts, present and to COME
hardly know what an American statesman should
so much deprecate, on his own account, as well
as on account Of his country, as tha, The Constr
tuition OF the United States, now the glory of our
country and the admiration of the world should
become weakened in its foundations perverted i'm
It's principles, or fallen and sunk, In nation s
regards and hopes, by his own foles, errors or
mistakes.
The Constitution was made for the good of the
county this the people know. Its faithful adj
,snlnslrallon promotes that good this the people
know. The people will themselves defend it a.
.gaInSl an foreign power. and all open force; and
they will rghi!ully hold to Just and solemn ac.
count, those, to whose hands they commit it, aud
IN whose bands it shall be found to be shoru of a
single beam OF It's honor or deprived of particle
OF It's capacity for usefulness. 1t was made for
an honest people, and they expect Tito be honest
~ administered. AT the present moment, ii is an
ooJect Of general respect, confidence and aiIec-
ZION: Questions have arisen, however, and are
Hkeiy TO rise again, upon the extent Of its pow
eIs, or upon the line which separates the functions
Oh .he General Government from those of the
'e o1'efDinents; and these questions will re-
qu'e' whenever they may occur, not only firm.
ness put much discretion, prudence and impar.
.uality IN tile Head Of the National Executive. :
GXueme couhSeis or extreme opinions on either
side, would be very likely, if followed or adon,.
ed' 10 break up the well adjusted balance of the
whole. And he who has the greatest confidence
IN his own judgment, or the strongest reliance ar
ms own good fortune, may yet be well difTidsn
OF his ability to discharge the duties of this trust
In such manner as shall promote the publ,
prosperity, or advance his own reputation.
Dut' gentlemen, while the office or Presiden
IS quite too high to be sought by personal solici
at9n' or '0r private ends and Objects it is not tt
be declined, if profTered by the voluntary desire
Of a free people.
1t Is now more than thirty years since you arit
your fellow-citizens Of New Hampshire, assign
ed me part in political affairs. My public con