Boon's Lick times., 1848-07-08
From the Pittsburgh Commercial Journal.
Great Whig Mceting-Speech OF
John j. Crittenden,

Mr.. Forward rose and said that II was
now time to proceed TO the business for
which we had assembled; and he had great
pleasure in introducing to the meeting the
Hon. John J. Crit,enden. Of Kentucky
Loud and continued applause. The name
was as familiar to US as house hold words.
from the prominent part which an eloquent
and able gentleman had taken in the advo.
cacy of interests especially near to US.
After Mr.. Forward sat down the cries
for Crittenden! Crittenden! were absolutely
deafening, and when the gentleman presen.
ted himself the welkin rung with the cheer
ing of the crowd.
Mr.. Crittenden said he wished he was as
able to address the meeting as would be in.
ferred from the highly complimentary in
PRODUCTION he had received from Mr.. For
ward; or that he was as we'll able to enter
tain and instruct his fellow citizens on this
occasion as that gentleman.
The great topic, fellow. citizens, which is
now agIta,ng the public mind, is that rela-
tive to the Presidential question.
The two great parties have met in their
conventions, and selected their candidates
have made their nominations. The Wing
convention has nominated Gen. Zachary
Taylor. Applause. Preceding this NOM
ination, there existed, as there always will
upon such occasions, great differences of
opinion among the Wings as to who should
be the candidate. Ii was not possible that
the wishes of all could be gratifed, but the
convention was composed of delegates from
all sections of the Union; they compared
their opinions. and Gen. Taylor's nomina.
lion was the result of the free and full inter-
change of their views. The only virtue
these conventions can have, is TO unite u.s.
If they do not unite US, they have lost their
only virtue. The national Wing conven.
tion of Phiadel phia has Nominated General
Zachary Taylor for President of the United
States. [Applause.] He has been nomina.
ted and is presented TO US as our candidate
by all the forms known to US in such cases.
now propose, my felow-cilizens, - ex-
anime somewhat into the qualifications of
Gen. Taylor for this high office, and what
should recommend him for it. happen,
in the first place. personally to know Gen.
Taylor. What objection can be made to
himl What objection is made to him by
his opponenlsl | have heard no impeach.
mentofh bis character as soldier or man;
but his 90 llifications for the Office Of Presi-
dent have ,teen called in question. do not
myself think that mere military renown and
talents qualify man for exalted civil sta.
tons, any more than believe that high civil
talents qualify man to command an army
Ii was sometimes the case, however, that
those who had welded the sword bravely
in defence of their country, were also en-
dowed with great civil talents, were learned
in civil dulies, and submissive 10 the consti-
tuition and laws of their country.
What induced the belief that the posses.
sion of high intellectual powers was the
great qualification necessary for an aspirant
to the Presidential Officer When we ascer.
tain that man has as much intellect as any
man must have who is ever thought of for
that Office, we have learned enough on that
subject. After all the heart of man isthe
best qualifications heart that is honest
and faithful. Gratitude would keep such
heart in the right path; and under the rule
of such man we could not be in danger.
None of our Presidents have ever failed
through want of inteect--the failure OF
our administrations where they have failed
has been through want of heart, not OF
head. A man with sound American hear,
and good common understanding, is what
is wanted. and with such we are secure
against treachery and danger An honest
man is needed--and honest man are not sc
scarce as is sometimes supposed. We have
tale Of an old philosopher, who, wher
asked why he walked in daylight with {
torch, replied that he was searching for az
ihones, man, Well, gentlemen, ] think ,ht