The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-05-04
From the Albany Daily Stale Register.
The PresfdencV-No a

"o' pS eleceui he ls, II Is SAID, an unavailable can
didate' because he is unpopular. So far as know,
this Id the only objection to his nomination. Ia he
unpopular This question j propose to discuss
fairly; and if in the discussion make any erro.
neous statement OF facts, argue illogically from
the facts stated, shall feel greatly Obliged TO the
very erudite and gentemanly editor of the Albany
STATE Register, or any Of his correspondents TO
show wherein my consists
Mr.. Webster has been for many years conspjcu.
ousy before the public, and for more tbnn twenty
years he has drawn around him wherever no bas
chosen to go in the United States 'us large n MN
Der of people of all classes ever gathered ronnd
any public man OF the country. What has give,
him this attraction? Not the arts of dema gogue,
certainly. He never, in common phrase, plays the
orator; he il not an amusing story teller. But the
people come to hear him speak; and yet when he
speaks to the people it ID habitually with as much
apparent preparation, and generalization, and de-
ference, as he speaks in the Senate This the peo
pie have learned from many years' experience. and
yet they come, and seem always eager to come
to near plain good sense and sound are ument ex.
pressed In simple English. The people certainly
admire what he says; this is proved, not only
by their eagerness to hear him, but by their
avidiy to read his reported speeches The speeches
OF no public political man in America are read
by so many people as Mr.. Webster's; none whom
the press OF the country more frequently and moro
highly eulogise. Then, to the personal bearinsr
OF the people towards him, it is always respcctlui.
KIND, and deferenal 1t may be admitted that
ME-. Webster ID not greeted tumultuously as
some other public men; the applause is not 30 vo-
cilerous when he addresses the people when they
are addressed by some other men; his bearers seem
too much occupied with what he says to applaud;
they desire to be silently attentive that they NAV
iose nothing, and when they GO away thew ore
thoughtful. and il is evident that they have been
Impressed; and 1t is true of most intelligent audi
tors that they cannot easily get rid of the impress
sion made upon them by Mr. Webster the subject
looms up in their minds more largely the next day
after hearing him than the time of listening To
the speaker II cannot be said of the masses of the
American people that they arc hypocritcal; and
we are therefore forced 10 the conclusion that the
people profoundly admire Mr.. Webster, and they
nave confidence in what he says Admiration and
confidence are unquestionably elements OF popu-
larity.
Let it be supposed that Mr.. Webster was not
candidate for the Presidency, and had in all past
time. refused to be such candidate, and conse-
quently no man or set of men had any interest in
saying that he was unpopular; from the facts
above stated, would it not be clearly inferred that
he was very unpopular? 1t seems to me that no
other inference could be drawn.
But while all that have stated is admitted vet
IT 10 said that MIR. Webster has not the sympathy
OF the PROFESSIONALLY he has not their sympa.
thy. Let us inquire into this matter. s.He has
not their sympathy" "Why?" "Oh he cannot
shake hands with them in that cordial way that
pleases them-then his brow is too lark, and he
appears too distant and reserved" think this ia
an erroneous judgment There ia a good deal of
natural sagacity, even among uneducated men !;
when they sec that man ID very deep thinker,
they do not expect an exhibition of personal graces
on his part; they know that he is too busy, too
thoughtful, to cultivate external graces and when
they see that his thoughts have been employed In
the public service, his deficiency in persona, ac-
comPlishments will not work unpopularity
There is no solid foundation for this objection.
very small portion OF the votes in this country
would be influenced by the considerati here
urged as an objection. lift were true.
admit that if there were general want of popu-
lar sympathy in the public principles Mr. Webster
has advocated and the he has tax en- affect
ing the general interests, then it might be Inferred
that he was unpopular. But what are the facts on
this subject
MIR. Webster, as has been previously shown, isa
great lover and an efficient supporter of the Union
lie ia a confident believer in the value and dignity
OF manual labor. His views on this subject have
extensively known-tbey popular views. He
has felt II his duty to pursuc a very liberal course
in regard to the public lands-a course very favor
able to the poor man. This has not rendered him
unpopular
As has been before shown, Mr. Webster has el-
iectually vindicated sailors rights, and secured
power and honor to the American flag. The poo.
pie certainly approve THE act. He has main aimed
the rights of our countrymen abroad-be has, in his
speeches on the Greek revolution and ON the indie
pendencc and improvement Of South American
States, shown a proper sympathy for people out
side OF our own country striving to establish free
institutions. All these particulars in the life of
Mr.. Webster can be dwclt upon to his manifest
Still the objection returns. Many people soy no
is unpopular, and tina, of itself will serve to make
him 80. True. many people do say that Mr.. Web
ster is unpopular; but this declaration has always
this peculiar accompaniment-he is nsver unpopu-
lar ,oih the toho declares him so-almost inya
riaby he would vote for him-but other people are,
opposed TO him. The common people, It is said,
dislike him; unfortunate common people, they have
never been permitted TO speak for themselves 4
hope they may have an opportunity.
Let IL be remembered, that all which bas been
said anywhere in respect to Mr.. wcbster's popu
arity, as candidate for the Presidency, norni.
mated by National Convention, is coniectural-
hypothetical He has been tried as a candl
date so nominated. Bot 50 far as trials have ac,u-
Ally been made by Ieyal elections Of any sort, Mr..
Webster has been proved to be popular. The pco.
pie have cent him several times to the National
House Of Representatives; he was elected by the
people to the convention to revise the constitution
Of Massachusctts. The Legislature, acting in ODE
iencc TO the will of their baxe several
times elected him asa Senator in Congress; NJ ma
beaten every opponent. Again, the people Of the
United States, through their agents. the President
md Senate. have twice chosen him Secretary oil
State. No one doubts tbat these agents acted in
TO the wishes Of their constituents Eor
thirty years Mr. wcbster has been an agent or
trustee Of the people. in high position, and was
never defeated by rival candidate for any office
he had ever held.
With these facts before them, il is nov aslcd
That convention representing tho Whigs Of tie
whole country should reject Mr.. Webster as n can
idate for the Presidency because he is unpopular.
This decision will be regarded as conclusive. What
a. L Il.