The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-15
Mr.. Webster.

10 the Editors Of the Neu York EIpress:
propose now to show that Daniel Webster Ia the
most popular man that can be selected az q candi-
date for the high Office Of President Of the United
States Mr.. Clay is put of tho question now.
Upon this question of popularity. speak not Of
the middle men who manage the machinery OF
party, and who alone can be, il any one can be,
anxious about his popularity. ! refer to the body
Of voters-the real substantial rank and file Of the
people,
In this particular, we can only judge from ap-
pearnnces and from popular action.
In the fret place, Mr.. Webster commands the
applause the admiration, and respect OF the people
at large, without regard TO party distinctions
That man must have within him the elements OF
popularity who commands the general admiration
Of the people. Look at his course heretofore and
now, and wherever he goes the people gather to
hear and see him. In the North, the South, the
East, and the West, he is received with rapturo.s
applause. His views aud opinions upon the most
important and interesting topics Of the day are
called for.
II he appears at any place of public amusement
ceedings are suspended by the cries "for Web
ster," and the din OF applause at the mention OF
his name. In the country the workingmen leave
their implements Of husbandry, and assemble to
ment, but settled practice. 1t exists now it has
existed for a long period of time; it will continue
to exist, even if his just claims upon his country
should be defeated by tho invidious cry OF unaval
| Now, Of what public man at present held up, or
| who attempts to bolster himself up Prcsiden.
| tal candidate, can the came thing be said! Sup
pose that all the candidates. of all parties and all
descriptions, should be stripped Of the parapherna
liza of office, and should without ceremony make
tour through the country all. with one exception,
would pass quietly and in silence. That exception
| would be Daniel Webster.
| Can any one with the least pretenson to COM
mon sensc say that these things can be 90, and yet
| the man be UNPOPULAR Such charge would be
libel on the American people. II would be charg-
| ing them with hypocrisy and deceit-with wear
| ing the double face of Janus, Individuals may be
hypocritical. Political partisans may be 30
| through spirit Of envy. The people in mass
move all.
The man that the people run after to admire and
applaud must be popular with them. The great
moro especially the American people. They are
| frank and generous to extreme.
| In the next place, Mr.. Webster, in filling that
high Office would crafty the national love OF glo
ry. The people of this country, while they possess
a good deal Of the dominant pride Of the Anglo
Saxon race Possess that love OF glory Tor which the
| Romans of old, aud the modern French, are dis.
| tngushcd. See with what avidity they followed
the standard Of their country in the plains OF Mex
| leo. Witness the sensitivcncss they show in re-
gard to the attacks of foreign tourists upon the
American character.
| Mr.. Webster is distinguished throughout the
| civilized world. Americans abroad point to hi;
name with pride ard pleasure. Can such people
object to ouch a man on the ground that he IL "toc
| great mani? No politician dare 60 before an as
sembage of American citizens, and present such an
\ argument against him. 1t would operate nowhere.
| unlees perchancc in some small and miserable
clique Of cnvious politicians
II is time chat the cry of non availability agaps,
Mr.. Webster, as a candidate before the people,
| should cease. AN OLD WHlC.