The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-05-08
PRESIDENTIAL MOVEMENTS.

General Scott in the performance of the mis-
sion assigned him by the President having had
occasion to visit the principal cities of the West,
has everywhere been received with manifestations
of the highest regard and his conduct has been
exemplary. Not a word has fallen from his lips
calculated to affect unfavorably his prospects for
the Presidency.
CARDS him with jealousy. Some time since, he
took away the Government printing from the
Philadelphia North AmericaH-a paper which had
steadily sustained the Administration-becaus
1t was in the habit Of simply recording popular
movements in favor Of General Scott and his
Boston organs lately deprecated the idea of start
ing candidates for the Presidency at the present
moment, sneeringly abiding to zone or two at
tempts in certain quarters to thrust candidate
upon the public notice. but without any success
whatever
The Wing Press of the South while it gives
no countenanoe to the pretensions Of Mr.. Web
ster, sympathizes with him cordially in hostility
10 General Scott The reason is obvious enough
The General is the favorite of the Anti-Hunker
Wings Of the North, and, his position having ex-
cuded him from all participation in the late con-
troversies on the Slavery Question, he has taken
sides with no party or section. This apparent
neutrality, nationality, nOn-committalism, call
it what you will, while it recommends him in the
North, is his disqualification in the South Slave
holding Wings are determined TO take nothing
on trust They hold him. who is not for them,
to be against them the Northern Wings regard
H.. a.. r.
will be satisfied with neutrality in relation to
Slavery; those, with nothing less than adhesion
to its interests What will he the result of this
division Of opinion, it is not easy to predict We
observe however, that while the Wings of the
North avoW in advance their purpose to abide by
the decision of a National Convention, those of
the South make no such pledge-they do not
even allude to such Convention.
The following from the KeansJse MEL Journal
shows the spirit and manner in which the claims
Of General Scott are urged in the North
"An Wing papers, and all Wings, so far as
We know, are willing to submit TO the decision
ola Wing National Convention but the public
sentiment Is becoming so concentrated and ener-
getic in favor OF General Scott, that we regard ii
as almost vital TO the success Of the party that
the party leaders should submit to be directed |
and guided by it. instead Of checking and damp |
enng it's ardor by doubt and delay Wuh Scott |
for our standard bearer we believe success will |
as certainly come as the ides Of November Ev-
cry indication of the present time leads to be-
lieve that he will carry the great States Of New
York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, against any and
every other candidate and these States will with
out doubt decide the election. Being satisfied Of
General Scotps popularity in these three States,
which are the greit heart Of the Union, we have
no occasion TO estimate further. But we think
every Wing State would throw its vote for him,
and likewise Indiana, Michigan, and perhaps
Missouri, from the Democratic States We make |
no promise for Maine, except that Scott will CON- |
mand larger Wing vote than any candidate we
can nameo
On the other hand the Richmond (Vs) Repub-
Iran rebukes this Scott enthusiasm, and declares
in favor Of Willard Fillmore. awe cannot bat
express our dissatisfaction 1t says, sand we be-
heve that Of the great body Of the Wings Of Vir-
GINA, with the hasty step taken in some parts of
the country to anticipate the decision Of the
Wings Of the Union, in regard to Presidential
candidate" THE Wings Of Virgins without a
single exception have entire confidence in the
Administration of Willard Fillmore "and be-
leve the Government could not be placed in safer
handsn
"If ever there was period when the greatest
caution should be exercised in the selection OF a
candidate for the Presidency, now is that time.
The object first in the thoughts Of all patriots is
the integrity Of the Union and the faithful sup
port Of the Constitution-not a mere party tri.
umph. The highest moral and intellectual DUAL.
titles are necessary to this end A President who
Is a statesman, and nothing more, or soldier, and
nothing more, will not answer in these times He
must be true patriot, as we'll as statesman
he must possess moral courage Of the most eIalt-
ed kind he must have sagscity TO detect and
hrmness TO resist the caterers and demseogues
who approach him he must not be hasty, or easl-