The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-05-18
APPROACH OF THE PRESIDENTIAL CONTEST
Voice of Massachusetts.

ADDRESS THE WINGS OF THE LEGISLATURES OF
MASSACHUSETTS, TO THE WINGS OF THE UNION.
Another Presidential election is at hand. The
wings throughout the country are preparing 10 DO
their duty In the contest as patriotic men,
They animated by desire to place IN the
chief executive office some one whose election
shall establish the ascendency OF those wing Prln-
ciples, on the maintenance OF which they believe
the safety and honor OF the Union depend.
They desire to have presented as their candidate
a man, the probability of whose success may be
reasonable, and the result of that success fruitful.
Such are the sentiments which inspire us, and
the people OF Massachusetts, and such doubtless
are the feelings of the great wing party OF the coun-
try.
In such views, all of us can unite, and in that
union is our hope, and our only hope.
In the dark and troubled night that is upon us,
see no star above the horizon, promising light to
guide u.s. but the intelligent patriotic, united wing
party of the United States" .
These words were uttered some time since, IN
-Faneuil Hall. What they declared was received
as practical truth. 1t is as much truth now as it
was then, and equally worthy to be regarded as a
rule OF action.
Wing principles constitute system of policy not
local or partial, but favorable to the interests OF
every part of the country, contOrmabe to the true
and well-established doctrines of the constitution,
and essential to the general prosperity: Those
principles are well known as wing principles, not
only IN Massachusetts, but in every other State,
north, south, and west. They are the principles
,chtch carried General Harrison to the head of the
government, an 1910; and bcliepe them to be at
this moment as fully entertained and adopted bya
majority Of the people Of the United States, as they
acre then.
We kno,p the causes ,chich led to the defeat Of the
cand,date 'cho stood upon these principles =" 1874
We WW not yecapitulate them A person opposed
to all wing principles, whig measures and wing
politics was elected President at that time. The
result is before u.s.. We Were at once plunged IN
TO a war, not yet finished, in which thousands OF
gallant men have persisted, the cost of which, up
q
hundred millions of dollars, and the conclusion of
which, whenever that may come, Is likely to bring
fresh dangers and embarrassments on the country
and on its institutions of government. But 1t Is OF
no avail to dwell upon the past. We are now en-
during some of the evil consequences of domestic
INSTRUMENTATION, and others probably greater
are yet to be met
The dangers and difficulties which encompass
us are vastly augmented by the political occur
rences in Europe, which, however much we may
approve their objects and general tendency, are
likely, without the greatest prudence on our part
to involve US in hurtfu entanglements and jeopar-
die our best interests.
at home and abroad, great questions are spring
ing up touching not merely administrations and
party measures, ont the fate Of governments and
people, the peace of the ,coid and above aH the con-
tinudnce of O,cn institutions, and or erisc1lCe
as a Union.
In view of all these things, fully impressed with
solemn sense OF the perils OF the times, and the
gravity and momentous importance of the events
that have already TRANSFERRED and of others that are
likely soon TO occur, we the wings OF the Leglsla-
ure OF Massachusetts about to separate and return
to our respective homes in the commonwealth, can
not part with sense of duty discharged without call
ing upon brethren Throughout the Union and upon
all other good citizens, to unite with us in endeavors
80 TO guide the counse OF the anu put them
under sucn iead as snail seem most propape by tne
blessing Of divine Providence to conduct in safety
serious troubles now upon and the doubt
full hazards of the future.
The result of the next Preside initial election it APP
pears to us, may very possibly be the turning point of
our fortunes upon the ADMINISTRATION then 10 De put
IN power VIII depend IN great degree certainly ana
perhaps entirely the future destiny OF our country
IL Is, then particularly with relation TO THIS event.
thn1 we ADDRESS you.
with an entire regard to the feelings OF Others with mo-
deration ana we nope with distinctness
among US In various parts Oh the country ana In ai
fercnt walks OF nfe who have been named as worthy
ior the hrst once In the OF the
United states .
we cheertuily SUBSCRIBE TO Whatever may De justly
or generously SAID In their commentator. we ADMIT
readily that either OF them In times OF ordinary trial.
might successfully the AFFAIRS OF the govern
ment we question neither ther aoiity their parrot
ism, nor their devotion TO wing principles we are
happy In our convictons OF ther worth ior certainly
the country heeus Whatever OF prolouho WISDOM OF eH
perience sagac.y hrhhess' Ioresght ana Patro'sM
in support OF its true interest and glory
But IL seems 10 us tnat circumstances at th's tnio
indicate one man as preemnentiy htted Tor the great
TASK OF saie ana hohorapie administration OF hatona
afairs Aman1rom among the longest verseu In puolc
councils whose talent no one questions whose devo-
uon 10 wing principles Will never DC doup.ea SINCE
many OF these principles are doctrines derived rom MS
own teachngs' ana from ms unequalied exPositions
parucuiary, Oh the constitution under whieh we i've
whose power IN tne direction OF grave aairs Is unsur
passed whose integrity is undouhted ana whose
patro'sm Is proof man whose ie mas oee1 sp en-
IN inc pubc service whose abors nave been ior the
public good VINO has all that experience ana that lore
sight that hrmness ana That that
ana that judgment that acquaintance with pubic con-
Germs tnat reputation ABROAD ana that commence AT
cessfui administration OF AFFAIRS under their present
portentous aspect: man VINO respecting All the
" arrangements ana compromises OF the constructor
and the rights OF all under them Will yet never sur
Ter them TO be extended ana increased TO thc destruc
tion OF our pohtca equanty prompt 10 ADMIT the JUST
rights OF one portion OF the nion but able ana ready
TO vndcate ana MAINTAIN those OF the other ana TO
make the whoie respected ana honored aoroao-thai
man we say is Daniei webster ana him we commend
To the wing party OF the country II they desire sue
cess that snail prove success worthy OF an effort
We propose TO go INTO no statement OF Mr. Websters