New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-05-31
MR. WEBSTER'S QUALIFICATIONS POR THE
PRESIDENCY.

Speech Of GEORGE WooD, Esq, before
Committee Of the Friends IF DANIEL
WEBSTER, at Constitution Hall, NeW-
York, May A, 1852.
FELLOW CITIZENS You have just been
told by our worthy Chairman, that the object OF
the address this evening is to ar )use your feelings.
hope he did not allude to myself for shall make
no such attempt. Owing to my indisposItion, L
have made no preparation, except to note down
few heads, from which shall submit to you some
remarks, without attempting to make set
speech.
The cause Of our assembling is, 10 consider tho
propriety of nominating Daniel Webster as
candidate for the Presidency at the general Wing
Convention, which is soon to assemble. think
very erroneous views are entertained by many as
to the position of Mr.. Webster before the people
OF the country, and | think it is high time that
those errors were removed. Ii shall be my en-
dedV0r this evening to present hun IN the true
light. In dong So | shall not attempt to dis
paroge any of the other Wing candidates, whom
hold IN high respect. | have some personal ac-
quaintance with most of the candidates on the
other side. shall say nought against them either.
My subject does not require IT, and have no dis
position to do so.
look upon the selection of a high officer ofthe
Government in a very different light from that IN
which II - generally considered. Ii is usually IS
teemed and trested WirU,1e Thst 10 tho poiot oil
view In which il is held Ia the country from wnichw we
sprung where all power and authority are presumed
70 enana,e from the crown Hence election ID held
forth as a grand gala day-a festive smnsement-t1e
subject of excitement enthusiasm and enjJyment-.ucn
set Of slaves who had just emerged from bondage
mieht indulge in. | consider, on the other hand me
elective franchise the part Of the people rs an exef
cse Of high political power, a. an Important junction Oh
the Government Like all such public functions III
attended with high responsibilities, and should be per
formed under deep sense of duty. Tne making Of
Legislator Pr, ident is as important an act OF P~
litical power the enactment Of laws or the sdnins
trstion OF executive functions Ii Is part and parcel
sy stem OF Government and part OF u ougnt ~
be exempted from sense OF duty. IL is Just as MUCH
the duty Of those concerned in the selectoo OF Pne
dent TO look 10 his Illness ard qualifications as sno
duty Cf Iesatureto enact good and whOletome laws
or Of the President when elected, duly TO administf
them.
If we all viewed the subject in this gh, and acted up
10 il, how differently would elections bs conduc'ee'
we s1ouid not then De guided BY mere personal ~.
elections or preferences. What admirable Lesson 10
may take on this point from the history Of Gro nweh'
lie Is generally held up q tyrannics usurpT, WHOSE
crined hls kiu2 that be might rise up(a Ine rn.~
monarchy TO supreme power as a military dict1oI.
When he took the reins of government his hrst enofs
was 10 tect the abest sEi moot efficient uln for once
lie locked around Tor Chief Justice Of E1gIsnd i,g
saw enc Who lo0rged lsggely above the nesdS o. -
others as eminent juTas il was the venerable hs'
the defender o. Laud, Tie opposer Of Crom"eh Pore.
Cromwell <, him 70 take the office; Lord Hale 70
TeEctsni-bs cause opposed 20 him aud was c'.,
scieltiOus, srd could 10 sustain him. Blt CfomseA
told him he hsd c, cted him the "hltest man 10 INC
county aud for that r. sfon alone, ard Hale hnay
concluded e. the Hce though he was op2ped y Ino
Government tcf liz country good WIZ the tree PcO
lie Of ts country be outdOne by ;yrsnt 10 psf
iOJmilg the Imprint function OF select ~ me ihsn
ofcers q he Government IshCtid hope noL Wheie
two csndidstcs equal In point OF fitness pers)ns
preferences may be INDUCED in Not 50, whore there
l. EuFeii nfuess, especially VIXEN that superiority
ccnr and decided
TneEe Gre two topics to be specially eonsia rss