The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-22
TFoR THE REPUnLIc.1
To the President Elect.

deeper interest in the true glory, honor, and pros
perity Of our great country, than in the mere
success OF party or the elevation of individuals
political opponent, will do you justice Influenced
by good motives, the strife Of the partisan will end
with the din OF the conflict, and opposition will
only exist against doctrines and measures dan.
gerous to the country. g"
To cay the least, your demeanor since yovr no
mination for and elevation to the "firs Office in the
WORLD has been judicious, and justiies the ex-
pectation that prudence will attend you in tae adj
ministration to which the uoies of your couhtry.
men has called you.
The circumstances which attend your election
to the Chief Magistracy are important, rendering
this epoch in the country pregnant with the
future prosperity adversely Of this great people,
The result Of the recent election has taken the
country by surprise Your own judgment and
faithful history will refer it to the proper causes.
II will be Wise to know whether it is the result Of
mere partisan feelings, brought into action by in
terested motives. or the calm Judgment Of the
people, directed by we'll understood and great ma
tienal principles You will not fail to recur to the
circumstances of your nomination, and draw from
them a useful lesson. With disposition TO I'M
derrate your qualifications, which may be the
highest, candor will not permit you me to attri-
butte your nomination or election to your we'll
known national reputation, or to a sine re pre-
ference over all your distinguished competitors.
This ID important fact to you-placing you in an
independent position, and giving you a right to
independent action. In saying this, but repeat
the language of a leading journal of your party
These facts are no disparagement. The people
ratified with alacrity the reluctant action OF the
| convention.
II is an important and too often forgotten truth
that those whose notoriety politicians would
present them as worthy recipients OF the popular
favor, are not always the most worthy. Men may
acquire reputation politicians, and even as states
men, based only declamdti ton, plausible theories
noisy craftsmanship, or the arts of the demagogue
when a calm investigation would leave nothing to
admire, and much to condemn.
The really useful, capable, and honest men of
every age, not the most distinguished. They
| are generally modest men; content to act and let
others reap the harvest of popularity. In our dc
Lucrative bodies the noisy takers are not gene.
rally the wisest and q secret history would dz-
cose the TACT that the most benefcent measures
and wisest suggestions originate with the obscure
and unobtrusive. hope these reflections are not
irrelevant; but turn to other subjects
II requires but glance to see that you are called
to the helm at critical period in history, in
whole circle Of our affairs, at home and abroad
Your position will require the profoundest judg
lnent, the most enlarged capacity the incest dis
elimination, the most cautious prudence, the most
enlarged national feeling. One false step now NAV
be fatal; dangerous doctrines may be acted out;
and the whole spirit and objects of our Institutions
perverted. One firm resous, one conservative prin-
cIple, one wise measure decisive. In the progress
OF such nation as ours there can be no unimpor-
tnnt period. The character of our institutions our
are now truly ''potOer earth," as greater men
have said, affecting by our progress and the de-
vcloPment OF our destinies all the world besides
say this because It is true, not to draw false in
ference; with q feeling OF humility rather than an
unbecomng and inflated expression of national
graduation. The position of powerful Republic is
dangero one Power brings its peculiar tempta-
tions and is frequently used to effect had than
good ends need not say to you, sir, that our
strength is the result of the virtue, intelligence.
honesty and patriotism OF the great founders of
the Republic-of the men Of Bunker's Hill and
Yorktown. Will you feel in all its moral sub,im
ity the great truth that these qualities alone can
ensure continued success. With the elements of
the greatest strength there are numerous evident
and latent causes OF weakness and overthrow. The
great object oil our institutions il simple indeed.
The requirement of well regulated liberty and the
general good OF the people. Freedom Of opipion
OF honest industry, of well-reguated domestic re-
lauons freedom to worship God'' in our own
way; and all those secured by the maintenance of
those great moral and religious principles which are
as binding on nations as individuals.
Permit me In all candor and sincerity to glance
at some OF the evils which menace, US, and some
things which may prove causes of difficulty and
danger. Could you be guided by one great gene
raj principle, binding at once on the humbest
citizen and the most exalted head of nation.
should fear no evil, l will not doubt your pos
session OF the disposition to be thus guided. But
there will be obstacles almost overwhelming in
their character Man is a selfish being and this
universal trait follows him in all his duties public
and private. You are fully aware that while there
s much to excite the honest pride of the American
citizen, there are many things to awaken serious
alarm, and which were not unforeseen by our wise
fathers 1t 10 too true that party Objects with many
in ALL PARTIES, are taking the place of country
The Father OF his Country has well remarked that
'there 10 an opinion that parties in free countries
are uselui checks upon the of the Co
vernment, and serve to keep alive the sprit of lib.
erty This within certain limits bly, true But
In governme nts OF the popular character in govern
ments purely elecfiue, 1t ia spirit not to be encour
ocynd ha afTN Ia
opinion, TO mitigate and assuase it, Ia this the ten
dency oil doctrines now openly proclaimed Our
elections turn not the calm ton of polit
cal truth deduced from the Constitution fairly in
terpreted, or on measures and principles tested by
experience and trial; but on party views and the
representation Of interested partisans The ten
dency of these things cannot be mistaken. It
stands out, with glaring and alarming promi-
nence With no disposition improperly TO impugn
motives, or to contne my remarks to one partv I
ask you to scan the motives which have produced
the zeal and exertion of the industrious rtisan ms
who are now overwhelming you with congratua.
tions at your success. presume the numerous
pcrsonol and Dritten evidences before you and
which will yet claim your attention, will afford
some glimpse OF the patriotism of the country.
Inc dithculty OF your position will be increased
by causes which have been accommodating for years
and overwhelming victory will not diminish the
embarrassment. But under any and all circum-
stances, 1t is a duty to frown on the corrupt and
unscrupulous partisan. Rest assured, there is a
wide gull between the people and the politicians
Purchased support is not worth the price usually
paid The way to the popular heart lies not through
the brawling partisan. The people can Judge and
form proper estimate of an honest zeal for the
general welfare.
With your elevation to Office there are thou
sands who deem their peculiar merits and their
patriotic and efficient services fit reasons for a
share in your confidence, your honor but mainly
in your patronage. They will offer themselves
as aids to your administration; they will approach
you with all the eloquence of sympathetic .shsarts,
and that boidness which makes the proclamation
OF popular theory much safer and more proiita.
bic and less embarrassing in the expectaut of
popular favor than in the actual possessor of
power. They will address you with eloquencc
and imagery. drawn from the shouts and confused
march OF an invading army entering hostile CITY,
or in the chdsfe and classic vocabulary of the butch
ers slaughter pen Their policy, rest assured viii
by no means tend to "mitigate and assuagc"
party spirit The time has come when the patriots
and conservatives of both the great parties musf
rebuke the calls Of party spirit This must be
done II elections arc to turn on great national
principles, and great and benelicent measures are
to be canvassed according to their merits. Other
wise our nominations and elections will be
mere fight oil the Prmtorian cohorts, and the peo-
plea government, intended for popular good be-
come only prize for the mercenary combatants.
There arein your party many men dislin guished
Tor prudence, Judgment, varied and correct in