The republic., 1851-07-09
The Presidency.

view but 10 facilitate that comparison OF WING
opinion in different sections which will enable
our Wing friends to form the wisest conclusion
in the premises The article which follows we
copy from the Union Wing, journal published
at Rutland and Brandon, in VERMONT:
CAN NE BE ELEcrEp This is the only real Issue
between the friends and honest opponents Of the
nomination of Mr.. Webster, in the Wing party
generally. We say honest opponents, because any
reference in discussion to opponents actuated by
personal animosity ambition, would be plainly
out of place. But apart from these schemes and
quarrels of politicians, the PEOPLE have deep
stake, and many OF them deep feelings of public
nature, III connexlon with the selection of Presi-
Dental candidate. And we affirm what will
have the hardihood to deny, when say that
Daniel Webster is at this moment the object Of
more involuntary and ineradicable respect among
three iourths Of the nation than any other ten
living AmericaEy put together. hey cannot
help 1t where they would III spite OF themselves
they proud OF him, they look up to him, they
con ide in him, 10 a degree unexamped in this age
of the country Were he President, there is not a
sane man Oh the continent who, by any process,
could torture himself into moment OF sincere un-
easness for the interests OF the Republic, so long as
the genius and tried patriotism OF w eDster should
preside over its affairs, We express these gener
ally conceded facts; and facts not the less FELT,
where motives exist for disgusting them We hold 1t
certain that could the deepest consciousness OF the
very men who quarrel with him now, on some
question of Interstate policy, or seek to CRAFTY
their ambition personal feelings by supporting
rival pretensions, be brought to the light OF day,
they would be found coniessing that Presidency
of Daniel Webster would be blessing and honor
TO this country such the present century has
not seen. Very many OF them openly admit It,
and the rest secretly feel 1t, and know that the
people of the Union generally feel it too "But then
he be President it as idle to dream Of np
Why not Because. they say, although conceded
60 be the greatest living statesman In the world ne
is not popular; people honor and trust him, Out
yI .,,Hs of f,.ofe fnr him n 10
popular. We fully comprehend that, for certain
low, familiar species OF popular regard, high
style of character s unsued but is 1t out OF such
regard that the great practical and educated
American Republic confers its highest trusts
Will they make President with kiss or u
slap the shoulders? And herein is truly
marvellous thing, that, while the whole country
does homage TO his transcendant qualifications
for the Presidency, he cannot be placed in it.
What incubus oppresses US Have we been
deceived, in supposlng we held the cholce OF our
own rulers In our own handsf IL as lhdlWduais,
a vast majority of the nation would be glad and
proud to see Daniel Webster President, what more
is wanting but coNFIBENcE and coMBiNATIoN'
And what has kept his admirers isolated from each
other, weak and discouraged, but the willy in
trigues OF POLITICIANS, those heartless vampires
who drain the life blood of the body polite. Mr..
Webster has never had dozen practised politi-
clans among his friends since his public lie began
His devoted friends are generally private men,
high minded men, business men, professional and
educated men, HONEST men, who take little part in
the machinery of politics. But they are not less
numerous or powerful on this account, were the
appeal but made to the right quarter-the people.
We cav, then, that resolutc effort, worthy OF
the man and the cause would secure the election
of Daniel Webster now-would have secured itany
time the last sixteen years The whole disnterested
intelligence of the country is for him. and we can
not insult the character of the country as to as
sumo that that is not more than match for the sin-
lister Intelligence of the politicians, office vampires,
and fanatics. We have learned to underrate the
NOV pf he educated. business
men of the country, because we have NEVER yet as
u party taken a course high enough to call them
out in our favor. Few viii dispute the fact that
every large town, where the best talent and pubic
experience concentrated, with the practical and
considerate views which large business induces
would pour out its thousands Of determined voters
for Daniel Webster, whom no other object has usu'
ally induced TO visit the polls. Every seat OF learn
ing must exert its power, usually inert in politics.
for such candidate All the minor centres of indi
yidual influence which are conservative from edu-
cation, association, interest; and all honest and
unsophistcated persons, learned simple, who
understand and love "the good old cause" will be
found in no doubtful attitude on the same side
And are THESE elements insufficient to carry an
election in our nlightened Republic? We repeat,
that CONFIDENCE alone is wanting. Discourage
aneft, spread abroad by the insdous arts OF poll
ticians is the medium in which the individual In
fluence for Mr.. Webster has been held suspended,
isolated, uncombned. The friends of Mr.. Web
ster need but dare speak out recognise each other
and organize, to find themselves irresistible. Those
in Vermont who have witnessed the extraordinary
development of such latent strength here, during
year past, and under the encouragement OF a
very few and feeble but frank spokesmen, can bear
witness striking illustration of the assertion
Let US have done then with the puerile timidity
which has 80 long tied both tongue and hand. tits
impudence to tell us that cannot elect MIR.
Webster, when we have NEVER TRIED! Not once.
Not once have the people been permitted an oppor-
tunity to express in this manner their respect for
their great statesman and defender. The base
plea of " unavailability'' has enabled the politi-
clans to shoulder aside the sober preference of the
people, to this day, and again it is attempted for
the sinister ends. 1t is time for the people to
rebel against this.
Having asserted that Daniel Webster CAN be
triumphantly elected, if once fairly brought be-
fore tho people, we will go further, and say that
no Other Vhig can be, and General Scott the very
least of all. There were many generals as great
in tho field Washington, Taylor, even Ma
poleon who never could lead the PEoPLE-and
General Scott is among the latter, of certainty
The "great Scott movement is nothing under
heaven but great trumpedup anti iWebster
movement every one who has so much as u
peep behind the scenes notoriously understands.
1t comes of the politicians exclusively. And
what elements of strength docs General Scott
possess? When and where has he manifested
intellect, moral worth, good sense and
dignity of character sufficient to distinguish him
above any respectable Wing in either House OF
Congress? These are plain questions; but when
such grand pretensons made they should be
plainly asked and satisfactorily answered. And
if not, is 1t justly respectful to the intelligence OF
the country say that military success will
carry it for fourth rate candidate9 General Scott
deserves our respect for his faithful and important
services bot not out of the proper sphere of them
We have hundred Wings better qualified for the
Presidency, and the people know it. This is the
point; the people know the cabre of General Scott,
and cannot be deceived about him by the glitter
of feathers, epaulettes, and fine phrases. Let the
politicians beware of it. A Locofoco President
will be the certain outcome of such nomination.
Look at the subject politician like, for moment.
The States either Whig States, doubtful States,
or Locofoco States. The Whig States are Vermont,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New jersey, Della
ware, Maryland, North Carolina, and Kentucky.
1t is conceded that these States will vote Wing in
every case. 1t may be that General Scott would
carry, of the doubtful States, Ohio, Pennsy yvania,
California and one or two of the small northwest
ern States, Tin all of which, save California, our
chance is extremely slender at the best,) more
probably than Mr.. Webster. But of the remainder,
no one will deny that Virginia, q eorgia, Missis
sippi, Florida, Louisiana, aud Tennessee, would
probably vote for Mr. Webster, and certainly vote
against General Scott, brought forward he is.
Further, we have doubt that Mr.. Webster, if
regularly nominated would carry the State of New
York triumphantly, with Connectcut while, un-