Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-12-06
The Presidency-AGr. Webster.
From the Bee.1

bled at Faneuil Hall, on the 25th, concludes
with these words:
"President Fillmore positively declines being
q candidate for reelection
We do not know how far this is to be re-
ceived as an authoritative expression Of Mr..
Fillmore's views; but from the phraseology of
the sentence one would imagine that the Presi-
dent had addressed the Convention on the SUBJ
ject, and had openly stated his determination
not to he candidate At all events, the an
nouncement tallies with current rumor, which
for some time has assigned to Mr.. Fillmore
fixed resolve to withdraw from public life at
the expiration of his term We frankly con-
fess that, though not surprised, we are exceed
ingly sorry for it. The Wings of the South
especially were emphatically in favor of Millard
Fillmore, as the nominee of the National Con-
vention. They desired to offer him a manifes-
tation of their cordial approval Of his noble
and patriotic course on the slavery question:
He was by long odds their first choice. His
popularity among the Wings of the South was
unbounded. 1t oyertopped that of all others,
and left him almost without competitor in
their affections. There is hardly a doubt, had
Mr.. Fillmore consented to run, that he would
have received the unanimous vote ofthe South
in the Wing National Convention, and we be-
lieve he would have carried every Southern
State which voted for Taylor in ls4s.
As his eandidature is now to be presumed
out Of the question, it behooves Southern
Wings to concentrate their preferences on the
man Of all Others, who most truly reflects his
policy and represents his principles. We need
not say that Daniel Webster is the second
choice of the South, and upon the whole coun-
try that no patriotic Wing, no lover Of the Un-
ion can disregard. Of all our public men
none have sacrificed so much to the cause of
justice, national harmony and Union. In the
darkest hour of the fearful struggle which now
happily lives only in our recollection; when the
country was convulsed with sectional agitation;
when the North seemed bent upon injustice and
aggression; when the Union itself quiyered to
its very centre when good men every where
desponded, and traitors alone rejoiced--at that
perilous crisis, Daniel Webster raised his cla-
ron voice in behalf of Southern rights.-lm-
violating sectional prejudice on the holy shrine
of patriotism looking not to Massachusetts,
but to the whole nation; giving up the CHERISH
edpopularity which he had acquired among his
constituents; exposing his party in Massachu-
sets to the dangers Of discord and dire couse-
quences, and mindful only Of the welfare of
his country and the maintenance of the Union,
Mr.. Webster took his stand firmly and immu-
tably by the side of the South. Hisg sgrea. heart
beat responsive to the appeal of generous and
disinterested patriotism. He planted himself
upon the Constitution. He claimed for the
South her rights under that sacred instrument.
He welded all the tremendous power of his
rhetoric and his eloquence in behalf Of truth
and justice-and he triumphed. Has he
since fatered? Has he trod step backwards!
Aok 10 hat.
mankind! Not so. Unterrfed by the howl of
friends, the schisms that have rent his party
Mr.. Webster still remains unalterably the
champion of the Constitutional prerogatiyes Of
she South.
There is moral sublimity attached to the
nails of political strife rarely present. Not one
Compromise was passed, sacrificed half as much
as he. None of them were called upon as he
was, to part with old associates and friends; to
strike at the favorite opinions Of his own State;
to meet unshrinkingly and defyingly the repro
baton, and the censnre of those with whom he
had ever been accustomed to act. Neither
Clay, nor Downs, nor Foote, nor Dickinson,
nor Cass had these crueltrials to encounter and
endure. Mr.. Webster had to give up all that
the loftiest, ambition can crave and he did not
hesitate. Duty was paramount; patriotism ap-
pealed to him, and he clung to honor, to con-
science and to right with tenacity that Moth
ing could not shake. geszs $3.50
w It'll what prond exultation would we see
III. Webster obtain the Presidency-a fitting
gaelten for his splendid services. Not that
office could add cubit TO his stature. The
egideucss of his mighty intellect are scattered
broadcas.s among the memorials of nearly half
3 eenta5y sof public life, and have made their
iEapress broaa and deep upon the nation. They
eaRaat perish. Whether Mr.. Webster attains
the dignity Of President or not, his fame is al
seaay Immortal. He stands forth from the
CANVASS on which are painted the images ofthe
distinguished men Of the present century, as
he greatest Of all-greatest in intellectual
power, in eloquence, in craftsmanship, in depth,
breadth, scope and vigor Of mind. Such man
should be made President, if only to prove that
a republic will not always be contented with
second rate men. We have had enough Of
these. Let us for once relieve onrseiyesof the
reproach Of not appreciatidg the talents and
services of our greatest minds. The name Of
Webster is familiar to every civilized nation on
the face Of the Globe He is looked upon as
the embodiment Of the hardy, massive, penetra-
ting genius Of ths American people. All the
best features of our national character all the
strongest and most practical peeuliarities OF
our race seem to be concentrated in him. Ev-
cry inch ofhim is American. esgs.,Es.s s3ssz,
/ HMr. Fillmore refuses 70 be q candidate the
next choice Of the South is undoubtedly MI.
Webster; ;;and we trust that exery southern
State that sends delegates 70 the Wing Nation
al Convention win takeespecial care to express
its preference for Daniel Webster, In case Mil
lard Fillmore should decline Nomination.
The. editor al the Albany Argus has heen
shown Shangas chicken four months old
weighing nine pounds, and standing two feet