The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-14
First Movement OF the Whig Party In Refe-
renee to tle Presidency.

The wings Of tho State Of Pennsylvania VIII as
eenble at Lancaster, on the twenty-fourth day Of
this month, for the purpose Of nominating csnd-
dates for the Governorship and other offices, the
next election. Although the convention has been
called only for the nomination of State officers, it is
very probable, if not certain, that the delegates
will either directly nominate candidate for the
Presidency, or declare their preference for
particular one Certain of the free soil delegates
supposed to be in favor Of General Scott, and
also many wings. Others are for Webster
others for Clay-a few for Fillmore. There WILL
according to present Appearances, certainly be a
great contest in that convention that subject,
especially between Scott and Webster.
The history Of the whig party of the United
States, in reference TO their selection of candidates
for the Presidency, has been very curious for the
last few years Every one recoIlects tina. part Of
their opposition TO General Jackson the fact
Mat be was a military man; and they asserted, over
and again, that no military man was fit for the
Office. Il in those days part Of their platform
70 have nothing to do with military men for the
Presidency. In course Of time, however, they
abandoned these ideas, and adopted the system
which had been practised with good deal OF sue
cess by their opponents. They, too looked around
fer military candidates on whom to concentrate
eheir force, and who offered a reasonable prospect
Of success. Accordingly, in $50, they selected
General Harrison as their candidate, and by dint Of
yesuscitatng accounts Of his old victories and BY
singing songs and swallowing hard cider by the bar
rel throughout the country, they elected him to the
White House. They made bad choice, how
ever, for General Harrison was utterly unit b
discharge the duties Of the Office; AMI il he
had not died, IL is almost certain his adini-
nistration would have been in a minority, with
his own party even, in the course Of two or three
months. Every knows the history of the
government vudcr Captain Tyler, who succeeded 10
the Office. But the lesson which the wings got in
lS40 was thrown away In lsiS they selected ano-
Ger military man as their candidate, and in com
mon with a. they made a similar bunder. Cen
Taylor very amiable and estimabe man in
private life and his courage and skill as a general
in the camp or on the field Of battle we're indis
putable, and never, to our knowledge, were doubt
ed We believe, however, ii Is admitted on all
hands that he was rot a suitable Terson to Gil the
Presidential chair His administration Of the 20
vGnment during the brief period Of time tha,
elapsed from his il augurston to his dea H. did not
ssiisfy the Immunity, while bis cabinet we're COZ
sderei the weakest that were ever elevated 10 the
Offices which hey held.
Now, one would suppose that with the experience
they had in this respect, the wings would not have
again selected military man a. their candidate for
the Presidency But in spite q all these disastrous
results, we see the wing party in Pennsylvania
and in other parts Of the country. determined to
abandon all their leading atc,mcn--uch as Mr.
Clay and Mr.. Webster-and adopt another military
man. Gen. Scott a. their candidate for the election
# .,gfI Ill 4.
cote in the state convention about to assemble
IN Lancaster and IL We are not mistaken, there Is
doubt It viii give rise to an animated discussion
on the respective merits and qualifications Of mill
tsry men and statesmen. COR the Presidency Of the
United States
" must be acknowledged, that a. n military
man, General Scott has performed infinite service
D. his country, aud tina, be has done probably more
than any other one man, to give us the great
military reputation which We have throughout the
world. We believe. at this moment, that, "a
military man, be stands as high ~ any In the world
not excepting even the Duke Of Wellington; but
IN other respects, politician and ststesmsn, for
Instance, he does not exhibit tho same degree fin.
kiigenco, q the same talent or discretion which
he did when aogging the British in the war Of 1872
OF the Mexicsns in the war Of 1919 On the other
hard, We have wings wbo are statesmen in tn,
highest sense Of the tcrm-statesmon who have
grown grey serving IN The councils 81 the nation
men whose talents a statesmen are known through
out the whole world-such 4. Henry Clay of Kea.
tueky and Daniel Webster, Il Nass,obusetts either
q whom Is cmincnily qualified to BE President The
wings q Pennsylvania and Of the whole Unon have
IN their ranks these intellectual giants, and It we
mistake not, their names viii be brought forward