Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1848-02-18
The Presidency.

We notice with surprise and regret that the
Montpelier lVatchman d. journal has placed at
the head of its columns the name Of joins
MCLEAN, of Ohio, as its candidate for the Pres-
dency. We are surprised, because Mr.. Walton.
the Editor, being member of the Wing State
Committee, the movement might be supposed TO
implicate that Committee as concurrng therein.
We are at liberty to say that such a supposition
is phoHv at variance with the iact-the most
prominent members of the Committee not only
no, concurring in the suggestion Of Judge
McLEAN's name for the exalted Office in ques.
ton, but being far from the opinion that that
distinguished gentleman is the first choice Of the
Wings of Vermont. Nobody desires to question
the Watchman's right to support for the nomi-
nation whom it peases; but the relations its
Editor sustans to the Wing Party of Vermont
as one of their State Central Committee, if they
do not render its semi-o0icial announcement of
Judge MclEAN's name improper, certainly rem
der this brief careat unavoidable. The last Bos-
ton Atlas announces that the Montpelier Watch
man, "Me leading Wing Paper If Vermont, has
raised the name of john Mclean to the head of
its columns" &c. &c. The Wings of Vermont
will at once see in what position such state of
things places them-ther leading paper, whose
Editor is one of their authorized representatives,
is understood, abroad to express their preference
in regard to the Wing candidate for President.
Against such an understanding, we are bound
to protest, in justice both to the State Committee
and, more especially, to the Wings of the State
themselves. We are not, of course, assuming
to speak for the State Committee ; but we hap
pen to know that distinguished gentlemen upon
it are as much surprised as we are, to be in
formed that Judge Mclean is "the preference
OF a goody portion of the Wings of Vermont"
We regret this movement of our friend of the
Waterman, also, because it is undeniable that
HENRY CLAY is the FIRST CHOICE of four-fifths
we might say nine-tenths of the Wings
of the State of Vermont, as well as of the
Union. The nominee of the Wing National
Convention, 'choercr he may be, will carry roth
ing but the Wing VOTE, in Vermont or else
where. The Third Party, it is we'll known,
would not vote for JOHN Quincy ADAMS Gov.
SEWARD, Mr.. GIDDINGs, or even Mr.. PALfREY,
if either of these gentlemen should be nominated
by the Wings They will vote for their own
nominee and nobody else, reckless whether such
course will give us another James Il. Polk or
not Their past history renders any other con-
clusion simple nonsense. Their leaders 90 for
po'cer, not for principle, or HENRY CLAY would
this day be President, and the Country would be
enjoying the blessings Of PEACE, instead OF
groaning under the multform curse of a need.
less and aggressive WAR.
What, then, is the manifest duty Of the Wings
of the Country, who are opposed to the War
opposed to the acquisition, by a system of Ma
tional plumber, of foot of Mexican territory
opposed to the extension of Slavery, and opposed
to the measures and policy Of Iocolocoism gen
orally and particularly? 1t is to stand by theil
lifelong preference, the noble embodiment Of
their principles the GREAT STATESMAN OF THE
WEST. The country never was in more urgen
need of the services Of its abest Statesman, it
most experienced and soundest counsellor, t(
stand at the helm of Government. 1t needs al
Executive whom it KNOWS and in whom ALI
PARTIES can have CONFIDENCE. 1t needs Wis
dom, Experience, the rarest Diplomatic ability
the pro!oundest acquaintance with its Domestic
: Policy and its Foreign Relations in short ever,
quality which marks the true STATESMAN, I,
eXtrlcate it from the momentous perils will
which Faction and Misrue have surrounded Il
and which, in their consequences, threaten il,
n,,is ,ebt hn,-
of available" or expedicncy" candidates.
] this noble Union must be sacrificed by Tpler
and Polks, for Heavens sake let there be ON
party in it who can consistently point to thei
: PRINCIPLES, and their MEN, as an evidence tina
their garments are clear from the imputaton c
forgetting or neglecng its interests or its safe
II ty! If mere military services, or the tumultu
. GUS drawings of partisan conventions, are
E give us Presidents, what is it but offering tn
Il highest earthly honors as a reward to the mos
e successful disturber OF the foreign and domesii
E peace of the country? Give us Peace and tn
1t arts and measures of Peace-gve us Statesme
d and the counsels Of Statesmen to rule over us
and no man may fix limits TO the true glory an
prosperity of the Republic. Let there be on
party whose aims are Peace, and whose cand
d dates for Office are Statesmen of long tried an
i confessed ability, and, our word for it, tn
- PEOPLE OF this Country will sustain and hone
l., them.
y We most unhesitatingly believe that in pli
= chg the honored and llustrious name OF Hen
= RY CLAY at the head Of our columns, we Al
Is giving utterance to the warm preference OF I'll
ID GREAT MASS of the Wings of Vermont. w
II have sought, and had, opportunity to consu
le with the rank and file, the morkins men, Il
- voters. the men who hew wood and draw waite
'. in our own vicinity and elsewhere, and feel a.
thorized to speak their sentiments as well as OF
own. But one hope and one wish animate
them, however doubtful the timid may feel of Il
II result-and that is that HENRY CLAY ma
y vet be their and the Countrys President. r.
4 the FIRST CHOICE of the Wings of Vernon
Ut therefore, we go, 1t is the best policy now
l. is the best policy always And while we sha
be prepared to surrender that choice IN ooed