The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-20

The Old Warwick Of the Wing host has pro-
nounced in favor Of FILLMORE, thus flinging his
weight into the scale against his lifelong rivals,
WEBSTER and ScoTr.
| From his sick chamber he sends out this ex-
preston Of his views and feelings in private
letter. the publication Of which is authorized.
Mr.. Clay says:
| You rightly understood me in expressing a
preference for Mr.. Fillmore as the Wing candi.
date for the Presidency This did before |
left home, and have frequently here in private
intercourse, since my arrival at Washington j
care not how generally the fact may be known,
but should not deem it right TO publish any
formal avowal of that preference under my own
signature in the newspapers. Such a course
would subject me to the imputation of suppo-
sing that my opinions possessed more weight
with the public than | apprehend they do. The
foundation Of my preference is, that Mr.. Fill
more has administered the executive government
with signal success and ability. He has been
tried and found true, faithful, honest and con
scientious. wish to say nothing III derogation
from his eminent competitors They have both
rendered great service to their country--the one
in the field, the other in the cabinet. They
might possibly administer the government as
we'll as Mr.. Fillmore has done. But then nei-
ther of them has been tried. He has been tried
in the elevated position he now holds, and
think that prudence and wisdom had better re-
strain us from making any change without a
necessity for 1.-THE existence of which do not
perceive.
The friends of Mr.. WEBSTER in New York
have taken this letter in high dudgeon. All
their habitual respect for Mr.. CLAY. and the for
bearance which his condition imperiously exacts,
are insufficient to restrain the expression of bit
ter modification and anger excited by his dis
paragement of the other candidates for the BEN
eft of MI. FILLMORE.
From one of the most cautious and influential
of these New York journals, the Commercial
Advertiser, we extract three paragraphs, part of
long commentary on this letter. Quoting the
extract, the Advertiser says
That Roorback is, therefore, effectuay refu
ted. Mr.. Cay's preference is for Mr.. Fillmore,
over either Mr.. Webster or General Scott, for
the Presidency OF these United States. This
was of course to be expected. His main argu-
ment, however, is that Mr.. Fillmore is President,
and gives high satisfaction in his executive ca
pacity. Mr.. Webster or General Scott @might
possibly administer the government as well as
Mr.. Fillmore, but then neither OF them has been
tried" This argument is scarcely worthy of
the noble chieftain who employs it. By this
rule good President would be President for
life, unless atried" candidate was brought for
ward for reelection. If in the choice of candi-
dates either of the two great parties, or the
country itself, is to be confined to men who
have already been tried in the Presidential
Office, where shall we be /! The introduction OF
such principle would indeed work change n
the constitutional usage The Wings have
pretty strongly expressed themselves against
reflections; this would indeed be sailing on the
other tack. Had this principle, in spirit certain
ly opposed 10 the letter Of The Constitution,
governed the people, how short would have
been the list Of incumbents of that office from
the first Inauguration?
II is VIGOROUSLY true that Mr.. Fillmore "has
administered the executive government with sig.
nal success and ability" Conceded. And
qnite as true is il that Mr.. Webster has not been
President, and, in that sense has not been tried
Neither had Harry Of the West himself when he
received the Wing nomination for that high
Office. Yet the Wing party endorsed the NOM
ination no less heartily, and abored for his elec-
ton none The less sirenuously. Such an argu-
ment, as !" he has never been tired" was never
urged against him, or against General Taylor,
nor was il ever dreamed of. To urge II against
Daniel Webster is, we think, raising very fu.
tile and groundless objection, for II there Is, or
ever has been, in these United Ststes, since the
days Of George Washington, a man who, prior
10 the actual possession Of the Presidential Of
fee, gave evidence Of his qualifications for il
the Honorable Daniel Webster is that man.
And closes thus, in relation 10 Mr. WEBSTER:
mot been triedp More shame that he has
not been, and 10 common justice lei him be tried
Others who gave far less assurance Of their TT
ness for the Office have been tried, and the issue
has been honor to the party that nominated them,
and glory 10 the country whose executives they
became. SO much the moregratifying will be
the result Of Mr. Webster's election. Others
have had the Whg nomination whose length
and utility OF service would not compare with
Daniel Webster's. Lot him now have his re.
ward--the honor he has 40 long deserved-and
we have no doubt that the choice Of the party
will be abundanly justified by the result Of the
election.
lT- The Marietta (Ga) Advocate thus
speaks Of the convention TO be held at Nil
| tadoavtla.