Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-09-25
THE WEBSTER MOVEMENT.

I We make the following extracts from the Ad-
dress of the friends of Daniel Webster, published
in Fanueil Hall, on the 18th September, 1852, to
the Union Wings" of the United States
"We hold that the decision of majority of the
DELEGATES in national convention is not, of itself,
proof of the sentiments and wishes of a majority of
the party; and we think that any man, who will ask
himself whether he believe that majority of the
Wings of the United States this day prefer General
| Scott as a candidate 10 Daniel Webster Millard
Fillmore will be satisfied with the soundness of our
position. We here, then, in all the freedom of
our individual judgments. In that freedom. pro-
pose to examine the nomination made at Baltimore,
and to refer the action of the Convention which made
it, to the only standard which recognize, namely
its tendency to promote and the good of the
country.
The Convention assembled Baltimore, it is to
be presumed, Tor the purpose of nominating that per-
son for the Presidency, in whom would be united
high qualifications for that office, with reasonable
chances tor obtaining it by the sufages of the peo
pie. This is the duty of party Convention under
merely ordinary circumstances. But on the occasion
OF the late Wing National Convention the circum-
stances peculiar and extraordinary. One of the
candidates before that Convention was confessedly
the first statesman in America, then capable of being
thought of for the office. He person who had
rendered services of the utmost importance to his
party. On three several occasions he had supported
with the whole power of his vast influence, rivals
whose claims to the nomination, except in in
stance could be supposed by to be superior to
his own. But above and beyond all this, he had
those to his party, in as large country
is greater than party every true patriot. He was
moreover person fitted beyond all men within the
reach of the Wing party, not merely to adorn but most
benefcally to administer the high office in question.
This was felt and acknowledged everywhere by all
candid persons. The common judgment of the coun-
try, the and admitted forms of speech, the
general consent of right thinking minds, had made
his pre-eminent fitness for that great trust maxim
among a wide and confident expectation a.
mong the masses of the people, who had nothing to
gain and much to lose by adverse political combina-
tons, looked to the Wing party in confidence that it
could do the justice to the country, itse it, and
Mr.. Webster, TO put him in nomination.
The time was most Propitious Party luminosity
had died away before the signal merit of services
which challenged the equal admiration and gratitude
of friends and opponents. Personal detractlon save
from the kennels of rabid fanaticsm, had ceased to
pursue him. Public confidence, respect atfectlonae
admiration and pride, universal appreciation of the
vast importance to the country OF his le health and
happiness, broke forth 10 him wherever popular feel
ing had opportunity of expression. Never had
party such opportunity to confer vast good upon
free country, and never was such an opportunity
more unworthiiy lost.
1t was lost, told, because majority ofthose
who sent to the convention to select candidate,
preferred else and chose TO exercise their
preferences. We admit the fact, but portion of
the people of this country, claim and shall exercise
the right to Judge of the redsonabeness and proprety
Of those preferences By whatsoever constituency
each of those delegates appointed they all
assembled to execute public trust upon public
tives. great party organization, like any other
social fundamentally, is trust in the hands Of those
WHO hold it; TO be exercised and discharged upon
motives which will bear the test of subs
inatIon and submission TO the moral Judgment of
mankind.
Mr. Webster was set aside in the National Con-
vention, and Gen. Scott preferred by aority
of the members first because the latter being
military man, supposed to have gained great personal
popularity by his military success, believed to
be- in the language of party tacticians, the more
g. ailahln 3d. IJat l.
Der of that convention the injus suppose that
his preference determined by belief that the
military candidate possessed superior fitness for the
office of President. The ruling motive, In this case,
was the same which, on two former occasions, had
led TO The selection by the wing party of military
candidates for the Presidency, to the exclusion of
their most experienced and most accomplished states
man In one OF which instances, the candidate
without any civil experience whatever Against this
principle OF political action we desire and intend to
make protest. 1t is appeal TO the people
trary to the truth of the case regard military
cess evidence of fitness TO discharge the highest
civil trust in the country well the abest and
accomplished and experienced statesman i'll the
land.
There is no executive government in the world in
which civil wisdom and trained practical statesman
ship necessary as in the Presidency OF this
great republic. Consider for moment that our gov
is founded and administered under a
written constitution and that the doctrines which
are 90 into that high office, and be practically ap-
piled in administering that constitution if they
to be of the least value, be the fruit of long civil
study, of practical acquaintance with principles, and
of vast civil experience. Consider that the whole
machinery of the government is civil administration.
Consider that all the Offices which President holds
in his hands for disribuon-trom the highest of the
judiciary, VINO may have 10 pass upon his acts,
to the tIdewaiter upon the wharves who is to obey
without questioning the law-are all to be flled
by the exercise OF discretion, which exist, in
full and just Development only after great experience
in the civil departments of government. Consider
the influence which the character and opinions
of President exert the Legislation of the
try-an influence which the constitution contempla
ted, and which usage has made quite powerful
it designed to be. Consider, finally, that
the foreign relations of this country all times
full of questions for the right management of which
military life and military experience afford
scarcely any training whatever.
We il the sgh tes degree DESTROYS de-
tract from the just merits of Gen. Scout, highly
distinguished and successful soldier, refuse to
him appropriate honors and rewards for his very brill
liant military services to the country. But we do
consider that the Presidency is the appropriate
honor, that it is fit that it should be held and be-
slowed as reward for military distinction. If we
have taken correct view of the duties which it in
wolves, compelled frankly say, that do
not know what evidence the distinguished nominee
of fitness for it which wing candidate ought pos
sess We say whig canddate-for not pre-
pared to admit that the wing party is morally at ber
ty regard only the elements of popular in
the canvass, and to It's eminent leader, its
wisest statesman, and its long tried and faithful
champions, with neglect and injustice because they
do he of anneaiinU IN a