Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1852-09-08
MiIisnry Presidents.

Military Presidents.
Few men have ever lived who were so as
tute in their perceptions and estimates Of men.
tai character, as John Randolph Of Roanoke.
He possessed, in uncommon degree, that
rare gift of genius. which enables one man 10
comprehend, almost at glance, the intellectual
calihrc of nnother-and 10 so nnalyze the
qualities aud componenrs Of his mind, us To un-
derstand both It's ncinaions and It's capabil-
tiles. Napoleon possessed this (aculty--and
when he wanted particular feat accomplish
ed was never at loss for the man best suited
for the purpose. In a speech delivered by
Mr. Randolph in Congress, tho session of
1928, in support of Gen. Jackson, he let
fad some general remarks, which seem almost
propheieally appropriate to the present can
vass for presidency:
deny, sir. (said Nj. r. that there is any
instance in history Of n man not having militia
ry capacity being nj the head Of any Govern
ment with advantage TO that Government and
with credit TO himself. There is great mis-.
take on this subject. 1t ia not those talents
which enable man to write books and make
speeches TINT qualify him to preside over
Government.
AMI then, after referring to "the Hide.
brands" &c, he continued.
These men (said the orator. were brought
up in the clolster, perhaps, but they were en-
dowed with that hghes, Of all gifts of Heaven,
Tire capacity to ledd men, whether in the Senate
or the field. Sr,it Is one and tho same facul-
ty, and it's successful display has always re-
ceved, and always will receive, the highest
honors that men can hesow; and this will be
the case, do what YOU will, cant what you
may, about military chicitans and militia
ry domination. SO Tong as man is man, Me
eicforjouS dctcnder Of htS c0uatry aoW and
ought, 10 receicc that couRtry's Suffrage far
all Mat tic forms ofhet GocoRment aHow her
10 gre"
And here it may not be umiss TO remark
that celebrated saying of Mr.. Clay upon this
subject is generally very much misrepresent-
ed by tine locofoco presses and speakers; n s, for
example, in a late number Of the Washington
Union
He once tervcnly md publicly prnved
that Heaven would visit our country "wi,b
war. pesuence, and famine, or any other
scourge, ''rather than permit our pc, Pile to give
themselves mp 10 mere military merit in voting
for President of The United States.
Mr. Clay's language was this:
"If indeed, we hive incurred the Divine dis
pleasure, and it be necessary 10 chastisc this
people with the rod of his vengeance, would
humbly PROSTATE myself before Him. and i'm
plore HIS mercy, to visit our favored land
with war, with famine, with pestence, with
any scourge othertban military rule, or 6liu,l
and needless enthusiasm for military renown"
Every true republican will respond 10 this
prayer Of Mr.. Cay,and deprecate military RUE
as the worst evil that could hefall the country:
and weshall think the American people fearful
y advanced in the downward road, whenthey
4 are prepared TO give "blind" and "heedless"
preference TO Presidential aspirant, who has
nothing moro than 'mcre military renown' to
recommend him.
But we have no fear that any other than
constitutional "rule" will be attempted by Gen.
Scott. or would be submitted by freeborn
American citizens, and we are sure that the
support given to him is intelligent and discrimi.
native and not "blind" and "heedless."
There is much force and truth in the lam
guage'o of the British historian (Mr Roebuck,)
speaking of Wellington:
"No man can he great soldier unless he
possesses great administrative talent; and this
talent is more likely to be brought forth and
iostcred by the business Of war than by the
management of cases at nisi prius; yet, because
OF The habit OF speaking, the lawyer is deemed
capable OF governing. while the soldier, whose
NE IS spent IN action and not in talk, is consid-
ered IMMERSED In what are called the affairs of
State"
| A SiGNIN p ENNsyLvANIA,-Tbe pb;lad.,,b;.
Inquirer says that meeting of Democrats,