The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-20
south Carolina.

The Mercury thus expresses its opinion as
to the position South Carolina will probably as
sumo in relation to the approaching Presidential
election.
THE PREsIDEScY.-We copy below the reso-
lutons adopted by the recent Democratic
State convention of Pennsylvania, which by q
very large majority nominated Mr.. Buchanan
for the next Presidency. We take no part in
the approaching struggles, and devoutly hope
that South Carolina will allow no solicitations
or Establishments to seduce her to depart from
neutrality. The United States can be misgov-
erned without her help, and there is no ground
of hope that any exertions on her part, however
ardent and nntiring, can save them from being
misgoyerned. 1t is as spectators only that we
remark upon the aspect Of the Presidential
question.
Mr.. Buchanan starts with strong support
He is the choice of the Democracy in his own
State, in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and we
think, in Florida and North Carolina. The
great prominence which the Pennsylvania reso-
lutions give to the doctrine of State Rights and
strict construction, and the strong pledge they
give of respecting the rights Of the South, will
tend to strengthen Mr.. Buchanan's party
throughout the South, and the more because
these doct rines and pledges are in harmony
with the principles he has always maintained
4 through his long public career. His high abil-
| ity, abundant experience, and his moderation OF
character, are all strong argun ents in his favor
ard increase the chances that time ard exami.
1 nation will rather enlarge than diminish the
number of his friends Still, such is the per-
versity and crookedness Of party politics, that
| il by no means follows that the candidate in
favor of whom The most and the strongest
arguments can be fairly urged, will win the
| game. So much depends on adroit manage.
ment and bargaining, that The considerations
which naturally would decide the matter. have
a chance OF being overlooked, and n choice
made, not because any man thinks il will be tn,
best for the country but because a sufficien
number of crafty wire-pullers believe it will b.
tie most profitable for themselves.
Apparently the most formidable competitor
of Mf. Buchanan, will be Senator Douglas O
Illinois. We cannot suppose that Sam Hous
ton and Gen. Cass will be much in the way
The former has neither responsibility as a man
nor weight as a politician, and the latter very
greatly undermined the confidence Of his forme
friends, by the strangely unwise course he hal
pursued in regard TO the foreign relations ofth
country. He has not only made very foolisl
movements, but he has failed in getting ever
fools TO follow him. His craftsmanship hai
been an abortion, and his candidacy, " the party
should be weak enough TO select him, vii
prove n still greater abortion.
But Douglas is another sort Of man Really
superior in talents, he has the secret Of making
ali his powers available for popularity and in
huence. In the Northwest, he would have 1
very cordial and general support, and has no
few supporters in Virginia. The great dange
10 The party is that the claims OF The candidate,
will be pressed with a zeal that will degenerai,
, into acrimony, and that when the choice Is final
ly made, there will be no general concunenc,
lin sustaining IL. II Buchanan and Doueal
could be agreed upon a. the Democratic tickle
Tor President and Vice President, We do no
believe that the Wings could make n respecla
bic showing In opposition. Bot IL is, probably
: expecting too much moderation in the candi
dates, and too much common sense in the party
10 look for such a combination