The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-09-23

land ahalf Of free, Independent whig vo-
tiers could be wheedled into line at the
word of command from some fifty or
sixty Washington politicians (most Of
whom had scarcely shed their pin-feath-
|ers in poiitics) for candidate who had
never filled civil station, and who had
notfor forty ears, and perhaps in his
life, given a vote for man or measure;
without experience knowledge ofthe
practical operations of any one Of the
domestic questions about which we had
differed; Of no acquaintance with our
foreign relations; who had said TO the
people, "You must take me on your
own responsibility"--"l vii. not be the
candidate Of any party," nor "wiI be
the exponent Of your party principles"
nor "look to the doctrines Of your party
as the rule Of my action;" and while he
professed to shrink from no responsible
ity, steadily refused to give his opinion
on any one question, except the prac-
tical use Of the Veto power; and declar,
ed his determination not 10 be govern.
ed by the action Of the Convention. but
would be a candidate no matter who
might be nominated; and in my judg-
ment his name never should have been
considered in that Convention after he
made that declaration.
But this last objection, it was said.
had been removed by the pledges made
for him by Judge Saunders in behalf of
the Louisiana delegation which he sub.
sequently adopted by card written by
his authority and published by BaiIie
Peyton, Bulett, &c.-and this declara-
tion was held up by the Taylor men
and whig presses Of the country as suf-
ficient to reconcile all wings to his
election. The Peyton Gard and his
cordial acceptance Of the nomination
had placed him upon the whig platform;
and just at the moment that many OF US
had brought our minds to the conclu-
sion TO vote for him, however reluc.
family, he writes another letter, in
which he says he would have accepted
the nomination from the Baltimore
convention on the same terms on which
he accepted the Philadelphia nomina-
ton! What becomes, then. of the
Saunders pledge? What becomes OF
the Peyton Card? And if it be true
that there were no terms expressed or
implied in the Philadelphia nomination
that would be Inconsistent with an ac.
cep,ance of the democratic domination
at Baltimore, in what an attitude does
it place the whig party, selecting as
their candidate one who could with
equal propriety have become the can
didate Of their opponents? And if not
true, in what a position does it place
Gen. Taylor9
But what desire to learn is this. If
Gen. Taylor is not bound by the action
OF the Philadelphia convention, who is?
And if he may disregard its recommen.
dalion, what right has he TO lend the
influence OF his name to the defeat Of
Mr.. Fillmore who was associated with
him, by the same body of men, by ac-
cepting a nomination with Gen. Butler,
a locoroco, whose election he thereby
assists in promoting. In short, bis whole
course Of conduct is insulting to the
whig party, and especially to all those
who participated in the proceedings at
Philadelphia, and if they had any whig
spirit left in them, they would resent it.
If it is ascertained that the purpose
OF that convention was perverted from
its original, legitimate objects of fascer-
laining and giving expression to public
sentiment; by smolhering it on the one
hand, and manufacturing it on the 9TH
er, or in other words, if it has been as.
certained, (of which there is no doubt0
that the nomination was made through
the instrumentality of politicians with.
out the slightest reference TO The public
will, and that the interests of The party
are likely to be sacrificed by it; then
hold, that the error ought to be correc-
led by the people themselves, and
rust in God, the meeting you notify me
Of, may put the ball in motion, that it
may roll, and gather as it rolls, until the
whig party shall have its eyes opened
to its true condition, and uniting as one
man, on the only one who lives EN-.
balmed in the hearts Of his country,
men, we may command triumph, that
our real strength entities US to achieve.
shall be in New York very shortly.