The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-09-16
Senator Webster.

This great champion of the wings has lately, in
Z speech to his political friends in Massachusetts,
come out openly for Gen. Taylor. This. unde'
oil the circumstances, was to be expected. He
however, gives his whig friends some pretty severe
thrusts for nominating the old General. Wltnes:
the following:
e. "The nomination of candidate fol
the presidency made by the Wing Con
vention at Philadelphia, is not satislac'
tory to the wings of Massachusetts
that is certain; and it will he idle to at.
tempt TO conceal the fact. 1t is now
more Just and more patriotic to take
facts as they are, and things as they are
and declare our own conviction o duty
from what exists before US. However
respectable and distinguished in the line
Of his own profession, or however esl'
mable as private citizen, Gen. Tay.
iioi is a military man, and a military
man merely. He has had no training
in civil affairs. He has performed no
functions of civil nature under the
constitution Of his country. He has
been known, and is known, only by
his brilliant achievements at the head
ol an army. Now the wings Of Mas
sachusetts, and | among them, are OF
opinion Mati ,oas not pise nor discreet
to go 10 The army for the selection Of a
canaidaie for the presidency Of The Uni,
s.J Stofes. II rs The first instance in
our history in ,ohich any mn Of mere
military character has been proposed
for thai high office.
z 3Gen. Taylor has been nominated
fairly, as far as 1 knop, and ! cannot
therefore, and shall mol oppose his cleo
fion. At the same time, there is no
man who is more firmly Of opinion
THAT SUCH A NOMINATION
WAS NOT FIT TO BE MADE"
Mr.. Webster further says that the nomination
Of Gen. Taylor, being "a military man merely. .
is "without precedent or justification from any
thing in our previous history;" and that "it was
AGAINST his conviction Of what was due to the best
interests Of the country, and to the character OF
J the republic" Such language from supporter,
10 enough to make Gen. Taylor cry out "save me
Z from my friends!"
Mr.. Webster also belabored Mr. Van Buren, at
great rate. He said Mr.. Van Buren had always
been the supple tool of the South-the alder and
.bet,er ofslayery. He spoke ofhis conduct while
Secretary of State, in his opposition to the aboli-
,;oo Of slavery in Cuba He was the only Presi-
a.nt who ever, in advance, threatened to veto a
hill il Congress should pass such an one, to abol-
;sh slavery in the District of Columbia, He re-
S.rred to his casting vote to rifle the mails OF anti
.,.verv uapers. The Van Buren men, those who
now, for purposes of private pique CT revenge, cry
ont for free soil, were the very men who were the
2 nost yociferous for Texas.
a., Webster had no confidence in any Of them.
- ,,k about dough-faces! Why, said Mr.. Webster,
a.. Van Buren men in Congress had not only
aoueh.taces but they had dough-hearts and dough
: s...,,.-vere all dough. He said that there were
.,h;s, at the Buffalo Convention whom he respect.
+ ed highly, but he thought it would have been
,roper. before they took up Van Buren, to have
,eouired OF him fruits meet for repentance.
Wewere hardly prepared to bear such TRADE
..om Mr.. Webster against the free soil men and
s,,e iree soil movement Butts we 60.