The republic., 1851-09-05
MIR. webster and the Presidency.

Ihe eloquent tribute 10 MT. WEBSTER Wnlch
we annex is from the pen Of Boston corespon
dent of the St. Louis Republican, and we take
great pleasure in transferring ii to our columns:
'who is to be the Whig candidate for President
This question is absorbing much speculation
1t comes on the breeze from the South, from the
middle States, the West, and the North. Here
every one seems to be in suspense. Difference i
apparently conceded by many Wings here TO those
in other States, to settle this question Our friends
seem to be desrous of united action.
THE people, from present appearances, will
have much to do in designating the candidate.
mean by this that the leading and influential mer
in the Wing party seem to be unwilling TO dictat,
in the matter If this continues to be the case for
much longer period am inclined to the belief,
from what | have and observed, that my IA
vorite man will be the candidate. Among al
classes-the toing masses-in the workshop-by
the side of the forge and anvil-with the worker
WOOD or iron, or brass, or the precious metals-in
the cottage by the waysde-on the farm or the
canal, the river the lake-in the halls Of Con
gress, or the Temple of Justice-the name and
fame of DANIEL WEBSTER before all and above
all other civilians who at present have any pre-
tensions to the Presidency. He has for years,
as you are aware, beergthe choice of the Wings OF
NNNiSS
that has been pursued towards him since his mas
tcrly speech in the Senate the 7th March, has so
committed many against him, that there is a seem
ing coolness and indifference about taking the
lead in bringing him before the country for the
Presidency. To my certain knowledge, most of
those who have censured Mr.. Webster for the
course he there pursued, now see their error-in
due time the amende honorable will be made. In
the mean time, while his friends here are quiet,
they not indifferent spectators to the signs OF
the times in other quarters of the Union. am not
certain, but the denunciation he has received in
Massachusetts will have favorable influence upon
his prospects for the Presidency. It will lead the
people to examine and more thoroughly under.
stand his position upon the slavery question, and
more particularly upon the Compromise measures
and the Fugitive Slave law. And what is that po-
sition? 1t is the same platform upon which the
Whig party has always stood. He has opposed
now, as he always has, the acquisition OF territory
upon which the General Government can extend
the slavery of the African But when the terri
tory acquired, when the laws are extended
over them, when the Government has stipulated
that slavery shall be extended, States are form.
ed and claim the protection of the laws and the
Constitution; when laws were demanded to carry
out the letter and spirit of the Constitution, Mr..
Webster, who, as Senator, had sworn on the
Holy Evangeists of Almighty God to support the
Constitution of his country, could do no otherwise
than support the Fugitive Slave law and carry
the Compromise that has tended to restore quiet
and harmony to the country. should rejoice with
exceeding great joy, if am permitted to live and
behold the Inauguration of Daniel Webster as Pre-
sident of these United States. | want to the
Wings in every State in the Union moving in
the matter. Primary meetings of the people in
every county should be held; the question should
be thoroughly csnvassed; that when the de.
legates to the National Whig Convention
semble, the voice of the people will not bt
misrepresented. -organze-organize-
should be the signal among the Wings throughout
the Union. Mr. Webster is strongest l am conf
dent, among the masses of the Whg party; his
friends have most to fear from the Office seekers
and hackneyed leaders; this opinion is formed not
hastily or rashly, but after much intercourse ano
personal observation, in different parts of the
Union. These views, as you arc aware, arc pu'
forth by one who does not make politics his busi-
ness-who has no friends to reward or enemies t,
punish who is devoted to the country--is citizeI
of a slaveholding State, and has some interest in
the peculiar institutions thereof and begs leave to
add, TINT he is for The Union and foreue-ons
and inseparable'-and for Daniel Webster, the
champion OF the Union, as the Whig candidate for
President fret, last, and all the time"