Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-10-28
Extracts from the Speech Of the Hon.
RUFUS CHOATE, of the Massachu-
sets Wing State Convention.

portion of our common constituency, to be |
member of the Philadelphia Convention
personally perhaps, and temporarily, pain
ed and disappointed member and yet re-
ioice at an opportunity, here to-day, to testi-
| fy and to declare upon my veracity and my
honor that, according to my best knowledge, |
and to my utmost knowledge and belief no
nomination was ever more fairly made, Zap
iplause;) no nomination was ever made more
exactly in accordance with the usages of the
representatives of great parties like this, in
similar Conventions assembled.
Ono, fellow-citizens, he that seeks pre-
text for abandoning his friends, his flag, and
his nomination, must find another reason
than the mode in which that nomination was
made. There is no doubt at all that every
gentleman who went into that body came
there, in the first place, with preference of
his own. There is no doubt that every one
indicated his first preference by his first
vote. Some of us adhered 10 that first vote;
and some of us again, upon more reflection
and more consideration, upon wider view,
exactly as was expected, and exactly as was
intended when we were sent there, exactly
as Convention of wise, honest, and hon
orabe men is intended to do, changed that
vote, and rallied upon the nomination.
Here is the result before you to-day
A fairer nomination, in all respects, sir, or
a nomination more exactly in accordance
with the usages of the party and the customs
of the land, has never yet been exempified
since the organization of this Government.
Sir, the truth Of this matter is, that they
who criticse the proceedings of that Con-
vention forget one great thing that never
should be forgotten aud that Is, that the
Philadelphia Convention was at last essen
tally ratifying Conventions; and that was
all, sir. The people nominated Taylor long
before the sitting of the Philadelphia Con-
vention. The people were beforehand with
the politicians in that great nomination.
(Applause.) And the people are stronger
than the politicians. (Renewed cheering.)
The summer soldiers and suns hinc patriots
should remember that.
"And, sir, it is not quite justice to the
popular judgment of this country to say that
that long succession Of trumphs, from Palo
Alto to Resaca de la Palma and Buena Vista,
were the reason of his nomination. Those
glories attracted the public attention to Gen.
TAYLOR. Undoubtedly that attention led to
, inquiry and what was the result of that
inouirys That he had been all his life long
Wing in his general opinions and in his
private and social connexions he had been
all his life long giving his youth, his man
hood and his approaching age to his couli-
try; serving for years in the camp, modestly,
yet conspicuously; incorruptible as fablus
or Cincnnatus; a man of strong, deep, sound
common sense, with a clear head and large
heart; and, sir, the great heart Of the people
instinctvely aud Theoretically clave to him
upon that discovery. The free press every
where took him up. Conventions in the
free States every where brought him for
ward. Public sentiment began to rally in
his behalf; and appeal to every man here
present if the members of the Philadelphia
Convention were not surrounded, penetra-
ted, bathed in public opinion, which came
we knew not whence, which we could not
resist, which no man in the Convention, no
party. and no State could resist. Witness
Vermont and Maine to-day. (Immcnse
cheering.)
g Yes, sir, it was nomination by the
People, and it only remains now TO be seen
whether the People Of America are equal
to that great function for which republican
people have ever been supposed to be quail
fed-to designate their own Chief Magis-
trate; and whether they are able, after they
have signifed their will, to have it carried
into effect.''
MIR. President, | beg TO say single word
in this hurried and desultory manner, with
out arrangement and without preparation,
on another topic; and that Is, the personal
qualifications of Gen. Zachary Taylor for
that great Office to which we propose to
carry him. | felt it incumbent upon me,
when that nomination was made, to study
the subject to the best Of my ability will
not say reluctant or incredulous, but with
the best lights to study that practical subject;
and now ayow my belief-g signifies moth
ing, but / am proud to unite with you in the
ayowaI of that belief-that in his mere per-
sonal qualifications believe we have the
Guaranty OF an administration as honest,