The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-10-10
From the Ns.0 York Courier and Enquirer, oct. 8.
Tho Presidency.

The events of each successive day go TO
prove the paramount importance Of both the
great political parties in our country nominal
ing for the Presidency statesman who is not
only known to be sound in regard TO the late
compromises, but who is, in this regard, abso-
lutely above suspicion. The policy, nay, the
absolute necessity of this course, Is becoming
so apparent, that we look upon the nomination
of Mr.. WEBSTER, by the Wing National Con-
vention, as almost approaching certainty
We are we'll aware that there are those who, for
more than twenty years, have made II their ousi-
ness TO exclaim, whenever Mr.. WEBSTER has been
named for the Presidency" Oh! his election is i'm
possible. We admit that he is the greatest man of
the age-that, as a statesman and of intellect,
he has no equal on either side Of the Atantic-and
that his election to the Presidency would reflect
honor upon the country and its institutions; but he
is not popular with the people and cannot be elect
ed" This, we say, has constantly been the Ian
guage of political leaders of all parties; and in con-
sequence, the much-abused people have never been
permitted to show whether they are in reality 30
infrm in judgment and patriotism and self respect
as their leaders would have Us believe. These
same leaders have given Mr.. CLAY, time and
again, opportunity for election by the people;
and most cordially and zealously did we for SIX
teen successive years unite in doing all in our pow
finally, we determined in lS4S that General TAr-
Lon was the only available candidate for the Wing
party and that.the nomination of Mr.. CLAY would
be virtually a sacrifice of Wing principles to per-
sonal Partially for an individual. The adherence
OF the Wing party to Mr.. CLAY, after repeated de-
feats by the people, and when il was perfectly APP
parent that while he great favorite with
large majority of his party majority Of the people
hopeessly opposed to him, has, beyond all
question: been the chief Of their defeat at the
same time that their principles manifestly the
principles of the people at large. But it is idle to
regret the past 1t has been demonstrated, over
and again, that the people do not sufficiently
appreciate the services of Mr. CLAY to elect him to
the Presidency; and now all ask in behalf Of
Mr.. WEBSTER is, that he too may receive the NOM
ination of the Wing party, and his claims for the
Presidency be fairly submitted to the country.
And demand this, not only as an act or JUS
&ice to Mr.. WEBSTER, and evidence of the APP
probation in which his great and distinguished
services are held by his brother Wings; but we
demand it in the name OF the PEOPLE OF the United
States, of all parties, order that they may thus
prove to the world whether they are or are not ca
pable of approaching MIR. WEBsTER's great talents
and services. We demand it in order that the
people may have an opportunity to vindicate them
selves from the foul slander-for such 1t ls-that,
while the leaders Of all parties freely admit the
periority of Mr.. WEBSTER over all others, and con-
cede thai he is the statesman OF the age-the pride
and boast of our country, and an honor to human
nature-the masses Of eur people are too stupid
and too ignorant to appreciate his greatness We
demand it in order that if, as ia everywhere al
Seged, Mr.. WEBsTER's election would do honor TO
the virtue and intelligence OF our people, and go
farther to elevate them in the estimation of the world
than any other event which could possibly occur,
they may have the opportunity thus to vindicate
their virtue and intelligence in the eyes Of man
kind, and render more acceptable In the estiIna-
tipp nf 1to,lr rnn
We have never doubted the intelligence and
gratitude of the people; and it was for that reason
that we so strenuously, and apparently so hopeless,
iy fought the leaders of the Wing party in lS4S
in behalf of General TAYLOR. Then, as now, the
merits Of our candidate were cheeruly conceded;
but then, now, 1t was alleged that the people
not with him, and that he could not be elect.
ed if nominated. Then, as now, we insisted that
the people quite as capable OF estimating and
approaching, and more disposed to reward, great
talents and great services than are their political
leaders; and that it only necessary to break
through the crust Of politicians and get fairly be-
fore the people to insure the election OF General
TAYLOR over every opposing candidate. Our opin-
ions were ridicnled and our purposes opposed by
the leaders of the Wing party, with pertinaclty
never before witnessed; and, in convention, this
great State gave him solitary vote for the Pres
idency, while the people at the polls gave him
more than hundred thousand majority over
either of his opponents And now, as then, if
the people would be true to themselves and
faithful public servant-if they would vindi-
cate themselves from the charge OF ignorance
and ingratitude--they must bid their leaders step
aside, and demand the nomination Of DANIEL
WEBSTER fcx the next Presidency by the Wing
National Convention. They owe this to MIR. WEE
STEERS admitted superiority over all others as
statesman and man of talents; they owe it to his
Aong and faithful services to the Wing party; they
it to his services to the country in times past,
when he won for himself by common consent, the
enviabie title of "DefendeE OF the Constitutions"
they it to his recent great and wonderful la
bors in behalf of that Constitution, by which he
has indicated his claim to the highest title ever
bestowed upon man; and above all, they owe 1t to
their own sense of justice-to their patriotism-to
their selfrespect and to their devotion to this glo-
rious Union-to vindicate themselves from asper-
sion and to exat the character Of our institutions
in the estimation of the civilized world by eevating
TO the Chief Magstracy the statesman and the pa
triot who has done more to preserve the Union OF
the States and 10 impant in the hearts of our peo
pie the principles of our Constitution than all our
military heroes united. since the days OF WASH
fNGToN.
This is no idle praise--no political eIpedi
ent, resorted to for miserable partisan purposes.
We have grown old in party experience, and we
have lived long enough to hold party and politi
clans too cheap ever again to make struggle Tor
either, except TO establish principle, and to ad-
vance the welfare OF our common country. What
ever OF folly and error we may have committed In
this regard belongs to the past and we trust that
the brief time allowed to labor hereafter will
always be devoted to country, and to the
establishment of those principles upon which we
perity, rather than the advancement Of any mere
party object, or the elevation of any individual,
however great may be our attachment to him
We feel that, in striving TO place Mr.. WEBSTER in
the Presidency, we labor for the present and fu-
ture prosperity OF our country, and for the es-
tablishment of those great constitutional prin-
ciples upon which the perpetuity of this Union,
and the power and influence of this great nation,
and the happiness Of its people, are directly de-
pendent. And we know, too, that il 10 conceded
by the intelligent men of all parties, sthat such
would be the necessary consequence of his cleo
ton, while they doubt the capacity of the people
at large to appreciate his great talents and their
Willingness TO reward his nestimable services.
And while we do not for moment think that MIR.
WEBSTER be honored or exalted in the eetima
ton of mankind by election TO the Chief Riagis-
tracy of the country-for the benefit of that coun
try, and TO perpetuate a Union and institutions,
destined, if preserved, TO secure the happiness of
unknown millions through all time, and to enable
the people to vindicate themselves from the asper
sons cast upon their intelligence and gratitude
most earnestly do we desire to see Mr.. WEBSTER
receive the nomination OF the Wing party at their
next National Convention.
In pr ind ~ aF Va