Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-03-09
UBLISHED WEEKLY.
6eralo Of tbe Gimes
Rn0DE.ISLkND Err;
NEWPORT.



The Whig Candidate for President.
In little more than three months from ,hi
date, the Wing Convention, which has been
recommended with so much unanimiy by nine
tenths Of the Wing members of Congress, will
assemble at Independence Hall in Philadelphia,
to interchange views and sentiments as to their
candidate for President, and to come to some
harmonious conclusion, if practicable, OH that
all absorbing topic. The recommendation of
the Wing members Of Congress, so far as We
have been able to ascertain public sentiment.
has met cordial response from every part of
the country, and measures have been taken IN
nearly every State, by conventions, or other
wise, to elect strong body of delegates,
which will fairly represent and interpret the
preferences and patriotic convictions of the
great Wing and Conservative constituency of
every part of the Union. We have 10 reason
to doubt from the character Of the delegates
selected, that this will be done intelgently,
and in perfect good faith, and that the decision
arrived at will be such when promulgated with
the reasons which induce it, as to secure the
cheerful acquicscencc and prompt support of
all sections and interests Of the Wing party
We feel conviction of this result not only
from the high intellectual character and worth, -,
which the Convention will embody, but from
the peculiar condition of the country itself, and
the absolute necessity which exists for strong
and united effort on the part of all good ciii-
zens and good Wings to redeem it from the
state Of extreme peril, and the false and un-
natural position, in which it has been placed,
by the selfish purposes and mere party aims of
Mr.. Polk and his Cabinet 1.-The time is
coming, says John Sergeant, if it be not al
ready conc, when power must be raised up,
under the Constitution, to check the wild and
unconstitutional adventures begun and prosccu
ted under the authority Of a party convention
or, in the judgment ofthc wisest men among US,
we arc all in danger of ruin. But how is such
power to be raised UP under tho Constitu-
ton! 1t can only be by the ballot box. And
how can it be carried into eilectl No other
wise than by s,rong and decided demonstra-
tion in the beginning, and the lodging it in
hands where it will be preserved, and even in
creased, and executed bencficially for the pub
lie of the United States, under the guidance of
wisdom, patriotism, frmness and moderation,
with an ample portion of public support"
In many States of the Union, in anticipation
Of the decision Of the Convention, or for the
purpose Of operating as instruction. to their
delegates, meetings have been held, and reso-
lutions and other demonstrations adopted, to
indicate their preferences for some particular
candidate; and the number and interest of
these meetings, will most probably augment
as the time for the decision of the Convention
approaches. In the cities Of New York and
Philadelphia, very recently, large popular
meetings have testified their respect and pre-
ference for Mr.. CLAY; and warm manifesto
,ions in favor of the same great statesman
have indicated themselves in other parts of the
Union. In the same cities also, meetings less
hsWciouS PoihaPo uHu eHthu'iao'C hdNc tdhtH
place in favor of GENERAL TAYLOR; but, on
the other hand, the Wing convention in Nir-
ginia has declared in his favor and appointed
delegates to Philadelphia instructed to support
him. In Massachusetts and New Hampshire,
tho State Conventions which assembled early
in the autumn, expressed their preference for
Mr. WEBSTER; and some recent assemblagcs,
moro or less formal, in Pennsylvania, have
GENERAL ScoTr. In our own
State, the convention called TO nominate State .
officers in January last, declared its preference
for Mr.. CLAY, as the first choice of the people .
of Rhode Island, and, though not specially
authorized to act on this subject, spoke, no
doubt the stcadfast and unbiased sentiments of
nine tenths of our Wing and conservative vo-
ters. In all these instances, it is we'll under
stood, ifnot expressed, that the suggestions,
or nominations, however made, or for whatever
are promulgated with reference to
the action Of the Convention at Philadelphia,
and subject, Of course, TO its decision whatever
that decision may BE-.
FIpE IN DpAcrT The ncv hot.l near