New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-05-31

Kind of legitimate force which the Contribution Pos-
their operations we are divided In this country al
ways into great parties which parties have geneiay
been considered the bare of RePublics-but an idea
prevails extensively In this country. that they are
essential 70 liberty shall not discuss that matter now
But in the actual workings Of our institutions through
these paries candidates for high offices are selected
by active political partisans whom Burke calls tue n'd
die mon They have a regular course Of machinery to
move-and woe be the candidate who attempts 10 g.
cape the application of their engineering By means OF
this they prepare the respective candidates. VINO are
laid before the people be voted for In this respect
there is resemblance between these movements In
regard the elective franchise and the proceedng' in
the ancient Republics, in matters OF legislation, where
some Senatorial or other body prepared the lava and
thus prepared they were laid before the people Tor tns
enactment by vote.
among these middemen political partisans that the
re al difficulty lies do not mean 70 insDuate that they
are actuated by any sinister ,tve but they are mis-
taken in their views If you talk to these men, you VIII
find them al In favor of Mr. Webster but they shrag
their shoulders and say ait Il impossble-he will not
nun with the people and therefore ought not TO take
him M Il would be glory this country to have such
Chief Magistrate it would add TO our respect abroad;
but we cannot elect hint will not do w,
Thus we find that everybody is in favor OF Mr.. Web
ster but all this class seems TO think that everybody
against him Have you not all witnessed this state OF
things II il passing strange, and was unable 10 ac'
count for this strange paradox till looked into little
closely. On inquiry OF these people the reason
for their opinion found invariably they expressed the
apprehension that Mr. Webster WAS too great man to
run with the people That the people had no sympathy
with great men, and would not vote for them
Now this do not hesitate TO pronounce most dam
nnbs political heresey Loud cheers heresy OF the
mest dangerous consequence one which II Dehooves US
as we value our political existence and prosperity, to
put down If for no other reason tosn to put II do"n
ought to utmost exerton 10 prevent IT ap-
plicaton 10 this case and have Mr. Webster nominated
Why such principle would discourage all efforts on the
part of great minds TO acquire distinction. would de-
sroy oil stimulus TO great exertioD. Like the upas II
would
1t is false too Ia fact it is dangerous and destruc
tive in consequences IL Is NOS true mat the peopic
q, not sympathze with able and efficient men, On the
contrary, mankind constituted as to admire such
men, and to be dsDofed 10 support and encouragement
This is natural great masses of the community
their natur. feelings and give them fair play
1t is wise provision of nature. When mankind admire
ability and efficiency 1t encourages minds gifted oy ma
ture, 10 become by industry able and efficient and thus
u eiul 10 the community.
People never object TO aman because he ls great
Pride vanity and oetentation constitute objections, md
they Objectionable to the people whether they ap
pear in great men or in pretcnders to greatness Here
is also a wise provision, for su n qualities destroy all
sympathy with the common class of msnkind-sll dis
position consult their interests and promote their hap
piness
Is Mr. Webster one of that description Let the me-
chaIcs of Boson-the ia ners of New Hampshire-Or
the farmers and fishermen OF Marshheld answer that
oueflion have heard it said that Mr.. Webster
taken up candidate in this city by the rich bankers
and msi chants of Walst And this has been said with
view 10 blight his prospects with the people. You
know better you know very well that where there was
one of that description there were dozen boss me-
chancs who joined in bringing him forward.
The people distinguish between pride and osten
taton, and tha, kind Of retired habit which results from
diidence deep reflection. Some OF the most retired
me have ever known have been the treest om
ity and pride. Witness the late Dr.. Alexander, OF
Princeton ofthe most modest men that ever lived,
and yet approached him without the con-
viction that he truly great man. Way, we have
among ctizens distinguished me reliant whose
munihcen Mt philanthropy has carried an enterprise so
honorable to our whole nation, into the very frozen
and yet this gentleman from retiring position,
modesty declines the public testimonials laid his feet
DO you think, however, that If Mr.. Henry Grinnell
thould BE proposed candidate for an honorable
public office that unpopuary could be urged againsths
availability Great applause
Mr.. Webster is of deep reflection and therefore
often retired-but that profound rejection has served
TO mpar those qualifications which ought to be his pass,
port through preliminary political conventions 10 the
people who II he gets fairly before them will soon
show you that be is The most oaar candidate that can
be presented fer their suages by party or any Get
Of men.
But from some strange other the notion has,
within few yeas pasf among pohtlcans become prev
aent this country that very great men VIII not run
before the people They may not always run Inere
are exec tons all general rules great man Gyms
peculiar course Of conduct may pave mace many warm
friends and many bitter enemies lie may be violent
and arbitrary in his views unconciatng and bitter 10
debate when oppessd Mr.. Webster is known to be ex-
empted from tnat objection.
II is time this notion should be discarded 1t has no
solid -four daiion upon No country ever did or
willIise glory without
Look back at Greece Ron e. The London tmes mas
lately broached the idea that Mr. Webster could not be
made President, because he Is too great a man Is
not surprising that the editor oil that dstngmne1 paper
should think So because he IL preudiced against kepuo
Hcan in. tuiions and knows but little OF the working OF
ours In him. ii at us, for h knows very well
that England has been distinguished for her galaxy OF
great men-hat from Cecil underline lofty and Imperial
Queen down to Lord Derby in the reign of the pure
and ytuou. Victoria, .ong line OF statesmen sole,
dis,ir guished of large views have guided ana
~ .,.1 atd harn T4ls1
where che now stands.
What could have given rise 70 this strange in@ustWn
in this country Is there anything In our example a
feren from the example OF other great countries we
STARTED into existence but yesterday speaking III reer
ence to the age of nations We rose up under the aus
riccs of Washingtonthe OF the largest and most
comprehensive mind of his age-and surrounded win
men Of great and gshed ability We now stretch
from the Atlantic TO the shores OF the Paclnc ine
Commerce of the World is within our graspour mines
are nexhaustbe- territory, unparalleled In extent
and fertility is To be filled up What prospect IS here
presented for future glory and greatness Are we TO
rise this glory and greatness without the eaa anu
Guidance of master minds If are, then the laws OF
bnman conduct in our case 10 be reversed MA II
not reversed we must ii we attempt it, d"indle into
In ienifcance European philosopher once remarked,
thai everything In this country was on great scale ou'
II. ,,tp is TO be hoped that the politicians in this
country under this strange iniatuatlon VIII not verify
this remark F. 49,.
of bszy idea is often attached to the epthet OF aS'@
cD IN ia sometimes said there is no magic In We -
his true there IL No magic in them TO elicit truth-out
th,y are often magical in leading uS to into error
There are various kinds of greatness often referred TO-
end in such way as to cause confusion. The man OF
wealth accumv lat by great industry, judgment and
attention TO business, is sometimes and very properly
called great man, though II may not he OF the very
bchest order No one accuses Mr.. Webster OF being
great man in that sense.
In some countries they have body OF great men,
whose main distinction consists in their descent through
long line OF distinguished ancestors-sppoocd oy IL
Ties mhaZoned by stars and ribbons ana CAREERS
Mr. Webster has such distinction lie 10 the Haps-
bureh Of his own fsmy. His root is In tue earth
amid the rocks Of bis own New Hampshire. tie
snrsnr from the people Though his intellect eleya
ted fer above them by culture yet true TO his origin his
heart il in the midst of them
There is another kind OF greatness 10 De eoaslaeieu