The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-06
WING Candidates for the Presidency, and Vice
Prealdcncy-Mr. Webster's southern Tour.

as his friends delight in styling him, is now on
a tour through the southern portion of the United
States. We understand from his speech, de-
liyered at dinner rendered to him by his
friends in Richmond, that this is the first
time he has been south Of James River
The hospitality and marked respect shown to
him thus far, and which will unquestionably be
continued, must be extremely fattering to him, as
it is gratifying to the people of his native State
and of the whole North
The theme ofMr. Websters public discourse
was the constitution, which he has SO eaborateiy
studied, and which he so ably sxpounds. Every
where he goes he speaks of that sacred instru-
ment as the most precious gift ever con-
ferred on a people-a gift that we should be
grateful for. and one that we should preserve
and cherish in all its beauty, as our most valua-
BILE possession. Occasionally, here and there, he
brings in an allusion to the future, that will be
worth the recollection thereof. We must unite,
he says, in supporting that grand fabric of the
nation, and do nothing that would have the
remotest tendency to impair it. These have
been the sentiments, with few varia-
tons, of that distinguished man on the con-
stitution, delivered time and again in the North
They are now repeated in the South among his
southern fellow citizens, who never saw him
before, and who before this visit, have known
him only through the newspapers. Theymust
be truly agreeable to our southern brethren,
and carry with them the conviction, that,
however much the fanatical portion of
the people of the North are willing to hazard
that instrument, the statesmen of the North
will ever defend it, and preserve it intact
and pure and, perchance, in 1913, by its aid,
elect Old Rough and Ready President of these
United States.
According to Mr. Webster, he has made
the constitution his study for the last thirty
years. He looks upon it., to use his own words,
as the embodiment of the great principles of
human liberty, founded in Providential ar
rangement. Let us take it," says he, as an
Inheritance come down to us as the greatest
achievement of our ancestors" What better evil
dence can our southern brethren have of the re-
spect which the North cherishes for that in
strument than the sentiments which Mr.. Web
ster is now expressing in their midst Have
they not guaranty that the North, while they
cherish the constitution, will not grant the COM
promises, the sacrifices, the considerations, that
were weighed and settled in the era of its for
mation-not the least Of which was the question
of slavery? What need they care for the infam-
matory doctrines that emanate from the excited
brains of northern fanatics, when their rights as
a constituent portion of our great republic are
guaranteed to them by the sacred instrumen
which our northern statesmen so profoundly
respect and admire
We anticipate many curious results from Mr..
Webster's visit to the South. 1t will draw close
the bond that unites the South with the North,
and, perhaps, secure southern President.
and northern Vice President, for lS4S.
II will prove that our statesmen look upon the
South as part and parcel of their common country
as members of the same family, as conservators
of the constitution, and copartakers of the bene-
fits it confers upon all The giant intellect of a
statesman like Mr. Webster, can in a moment
dispel the prejudices and i'll feelings that north
ern fanatics have labored for years to form. His
colossal mind can sweep them before it, as the
hurricane sweeps the chaff of the field; but will
all this produce the result to which the leaders
Of the great wing party are now looking for
ward We shall see.
This tour of Mr. Webster will not be with.
out its importance and interest in one point
of view--one that somewhat agitates the pub
lie mind at this time. 1t may not surprise thu
leaders Of the wing party, few of them, if i
should result in the selection of MAJOR GENERAL
ZACHARY TAYLOR, Of the Regular Army, for the
Presidency, and of the Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER
Of the United States Senate, for the Vice Pres
dency.
Such may be the upshot of the tour OF Mr.
Webster, and of the victories of Palo Alto, Re-
SAGA de la Palma, and Buena Vista. Stranger
events have occurred.
WooI.-We publish in another column, an ad
vertisement that subscription has been opened
at the Office of H. c. Adams, Esq, for the pur
pose Establishing large sheep-fold, upon an
estate of one hundred thousand acres in Western
Virginia. We commend this project. The rich
and mountainous land, and temperate climate of
Western Virginia, are highly favorable to the
rearing of sheep; and capitalists, who seek sure
and profitable employment of their funds, will
with difficulty find means Of investment more
comfortable to their wishes.
The fertile soil Of this part of Virginia, and its