The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-30
From the Boston Daily AdUrtisr, august q.
The webster Movement.


The Webster Movement.
Since the publication of our remarks on We'd
nesday, on the subject Of what has been, by vio'
lent figure of speech, called the movement oft
friends of Mr.. WEBsrER. in this city, for bringing
him forward as regular candidate, by the nomi-
nation of electors we have been confirmed in the
view which we then stated There are additional
proofs that, among the great number OF the Wings
Of Massachusetts who have deeply regretted that
Mr. Webster has not been brought forward in
way which should make him candidate for their
suffrages, very large portion are still OF opinion
that il would be idle to proceed to the nomination
Of ticket of electors In this State until there shall
be further proof than has been yet exhibited that
other Staves will efficiently co operate in such
movement. We find very generally admitted,
by those who express opinion on this subject,
that the anticipated proof OF such disposition in
other States has not yet been developed, and that
the condition on which they would recommend the
adoption Of active here has not been full.
filed.
In the Boston Courier of yesterday, journal
which no one will hesitate to number among the
fast friends of MIR. Webster, we find the following
opinion expressed:
1--WE are very glad to find that the gentlemen
engaged in collecting the evidence of public feel
ing on the subject OF Webster electoral ticket,
have decided not TO call public meeting until
they have obtained further expression OF opinion
from other parts of the State. In our judgment,
this movement ought to be made to depend upon
the probability of the friends OF Mr.. Webster,
throughout the Union, being able to carry the cleo
ton OF President into the House of Representatives.
If fair prospect of this result Is found to exist we
think MIR. Webster will have the electoral vote OF
this State, its being asked for him by his friends
Upon their best judgment as to TINS result we are
will act, or refrain from acting They are not
men to be deferred or driven, by any amount OF
denunciation, from any quarter"
This is precisely the course which we have been
persuaded the great body of Mr.. Webster's friends
in this State would pursue. From our conviction
of the improbability of any such co. operation in
other States, could justify tho expectation OF
success, far to carry their candidate into
the House of Representatives, we have been per-
suadcd that the purpose of bringing forward q
ticket of electors here would be abandoned. We
do not believe that even the prospect of obtaining
such number of votes for Mr.. Webster, as might
defeat choice by the people, and carry the cleo
ii IN into the House of Representatives, would have
presented any inducement worthy of the effort to
fat the greater part of those friends of Mr.. Web
ster who, had there been hope of ultimate sue
cess, would have been ready to make every exer-
ton in support of ticket in his favor. They
would feel no ambition to labor in a cause which
promised no other success than that of placing the
candidate in position to be rejected by Demo.
cratic House of Representatives
We subjoin the following remarks from cor
respondent whose views will command attention:
For the Boston Daily advertiser.
An able and ingenious editorial article in yester
DAVIS Courier enforces the idea that those who wish
TO see Mr.. Webster President ought to vote for
him. if there is fair prospect Of throwing the cleo
ton into the House of Representatives and that his
interference to prevent this course ought not to be
desired or expected, because it would be to nulify
points out in a certain contingency this mode OF
effecting choice of President For these reasons
the article of the Courier while 1t advises delay In
| framing a Webster electoral ticket, encourages
the collection of signatures in favor OF the measure,
in order to full expression Of opinion on the part
of MIR. Webster's friends. 49,
Having always been proud to be accounted as
one of them and conourIing but in small portion
of the suggestions OF the Courier, venture TO ofier
you the following views on the subjects
In the fret place, instead Of looking upon the
choice of President by the House OF Representa-,
tives provision OF the Constitution designed
for ordinary use, regard it only as an arrange.
ment to meet the case of failure in the regular
mode of efiecting a Presidential election. Who
ever is chosen by the House of Representatives as
| the Constitution now stands must be minority
| candidates and the election of such candidate by
Congress, voting not per capita, but by States 10
certainly to be regarded as great evil The ope.
| ration has ben performed twice in our political
| history II 1901 II was accompanied by the most
dispraceful intrigues on both sides II resulted in
sustaining the popular choice. Had the result
been different the most serious consequences would
have taken place In 1875 Mr. Adams was chosen
| by the House of Representatives. His electoral
| vote was considerably smaller than General Jack.
| sons, and the cry or minority candidate and
"bargain and corruption" was strong enough to
paralyze his administration As far as we can
| learn any thing from experience, we have reason
to look upon Presidential elections by the House OF
Representatives with decided aversion never to be
| voluntarily resorted to-
But waving this point, is there the least posi-.
bility-we do not say probability-that the House
| of Representatives would choose Mr.. Webster IN
preference to the other candidates! How many
Wing votes can be calculated upon in the present
are not sure that, including Massachusetts, there
are five States that could be relied on; but that
| dozen States could be found to abandon the Demo
cratic candidate and vote for Mr.. Webster cannot
| surely be the opinion of any sane man.
Then comes up the question, Are the friends OF
| Mr.. Webster, an integral portion OF the wing
| party, free to pursue the course recommended by
| the Courier? The writer, in arguing the question
Of the propriety Of giving Mr.. Websters friends
| chance to bring the election before the House Of
| Representatives, overiooks that point entirely.
| Have they not as members OF the WING party
| committed themselves on this po'ntf Ihey took
part in the preliminary arrangements for the con
vention; they chose delegates in whom they placed
| reliance; and the three delegates at large were
given to them by the Springfield Convention.
know il s said that the business of the convention
was not fairly conducted, and that therefore its
doings are not binding. Il is quite likely that IN
this assemblagc, at all others OF the kind, thinge
were done and said which person OF sound
judgment and high principle would.approve. This
is only saying. in other words, that the members
| Of the convention were men. But was there any
such unfairness essentials to releose its mem
bers from the obligation which binds them as men
Of honor and their constituents as consistent mem
bers o q great party? Was not this convention az
fair expression Of the opinions and wishes OF the
| Wing party as that by which General Taylor was
| nominated in l84S and General Harrison in lS4O
| We have seen no proof to the contrary
Finally, 10 there the least reason to anticipats
| an electoral vote for Mr.. Webster out of Massa'
chusetts, should he be brought forward as can.
1 didate? From whence 10 it to come? II would DC
ridiculous to look to any of the Democratic States
| for vote; equally SO to count upon States where
| Freesoilcrs and Wings together are required tt
| make majority. II is only in States controlled
by conservative Wings that vote for Mr.. Web
| ster could be expected, were they all united. "A
| present, is there State in the Union where uni
| ted vote could be expected on nomination now
/ to be made? Ia it certain, or even probable, tina
a majority of the Wing voters of Massachusetts arr
| in favor Of rcpudiating the Baltimore nomination