The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-03-20
PRESIDENTIAL SPECULATIOyS.

The friends Of General Scott make no secret
of their intention to run him for the Presidency
lie Is evidently the most available Wing candi-
date. MIR. Clay is too old, if there were no
other objection to him. Mr. Webster is out of
the question he could not command the vote of
his own State. No man is stronger in the esti-
nation of his particular friends no man is weaker
among the People. Mr.. Fillmore would consent
to n nomination, but it will not be rendered to
him. lie is respectable but has no political
strength.
General Scott is hero, and an honorable man.
lie has not yet joined the Cass- w ebster- Dckin-
son-Clay Union party, or been committed in any
way for or against the measures of the late Con.
gress on the Slavery Question. lie has written
no letters, made no speeches. which can be quoted
against him. and his military glory will prove
better political capital than any civic reputation
The Wing members of the Pennsylvania Legisla-
ture, Impressed, doubtless, with these considera-
tions, lately held caucus, and issued the follow.
ing card:
"To THE FRIENDS OF GEN SCOTT
"The undersigned, Wing members of the Le-
gislature of Pennsylvania respectfully suggest
to the friends Of General Scott, throughout the
State, to meet and consult together upon the ex.
pediency and propriety of presenting his name
for the next Presidency
Appended are the names of forty members of
the Legislature.
The Old Line Democrats are worse off than
the Wings Buchanan is dead out of his own
State, and in 1t cannot make head against General
Scott. Cass can never command the support of
the South generally the River and Harbor in.
terests are hostile to him and he could stand M
chance in Ohio, Pennsy lvania aud New York
against Scott Woodbury. is too cold blooded to
receive the cordial support of the People. Hous
ton is the only man who could command ANYTHING
like respectable vote, and he is working hard
for nomination. lie is too poor, we believe, to
own slaves--he has the credit Of having won the
battle of San Jacinto-he figured largely in the
business Of Texan annexaiion-he has always
been successful politician--he is not identified
with the Extremists Of the South-he has volun-
teered an assault upon South Carolina, the head
and front Of pro-slavery ultraism--and he is a
tremendous Union man. As to Free Soil Radical
beWocraCy, IL CSu no uore support MIN without
violating its principles, than it could support
General Cass Where shall it find a candidate
Colonel Benton has been named but If all we
hear be true, he will accept no nomination for the
Presidency II is probable that his ambition is to
regain his place in the Senate, and there remain
for life.
We have heard suggested in some quarters
the name Of Dodge of Wisconsin, as candidate
for the Presidency, and that Of Haywood of North
Carolina, as candidate for the Vice Presidency,
both Radical Democrats, both steadfast in their
opposition to the extension Of Slavery, both judi.
cious friends Of River and Harbor Improve
ments-one, citizen Of the great Northwest, the
other, a citizen Of Southern State which has
never been known to wsver in its attachment to
the Union, or give oountenance to the doctrine Of
Mobilization.
1t is impossible to predict, with any show Of
probability, what shape parties may take what
political combinations may take place, what can
dida,es be brought forward before the next Presi-
Dental election.
The old Wing leaders generally are eudeavor.
ing to unite their party, and prepare it for the
customary National Convention in the spring Of
1852, The old Democratic leaders generally are
pursuing similar policy with their party Both
are anxious to put down the radicals Of their re.