The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1852-12-02
ALFRED SANDERS, EDlroR
THE WING PARTY.


In ls44, when by the combined toreign
and l.ocotoco vote, that pure patFio, ana
eminent statesman HENRY CLAY. was dc.
feated for the Presidency by an obscure
man, the principles which the Wing party
bad so long and stsenuoasly maintained
were temporarily absorbed 10 feeling, and
scores aud hundreds among their strong
Is, advocates impa!sively ayowed them
selves in favor Of the principles Of Native
Americanism. Wing editors throughout
the Union, who had formerly had no sym
patty with the Native American party
chagrined and mortified at the result O, the
election and believing il 10 be the frui, q
tampering with the foreign vote. By scores
enrolled themselves into and hoisted the col
ore Of partywhich had originated with the
Democrats. Then il was predicted, and
with some show of fui6lment. that the
great Wing party would be disunlied, or
would forsske the principles for which !,
bad so long contenied and embrace others,
which, though less for the welfare Of The
country, would be more popular with the
crude ideas OF the masses.
The feeling of resentment occasioned By
the defeat of The man OF their choice, he
who bad SO many years stood in the van
of,heir party, eloanentiy and powerfully
advocating its principles, was soon super
seeded BY that patriotism which is the EARL
es, imbibed and latest cherished 10 the heart
of an American citizen. Again they rallied
around their principles, as pure patriots
preferring rather 10 be defeated in The
rixh, than TO conquer in the wrong.
In lS4S with The same principles, 6ut
connecting with them others Of the da,
more popular with The masses, The Wig
party succeeded in electing their ESeeu
tive and again assumed The rens OF govern
ment, but no, having the Legislative pow
er a, command they could not carry GU
any Or ihe leading measures Of the party.
Again 10 1852 have thew failed 10 elect
the Chief Magistrate. bat the circumstances
under which that dsfea, IS sustained are 50
different from those Of ls44, that tina, dec
regret and Indignation then felt is mol nos
experienced. Their candidate was nj
The man OF their choice, was not one who
had identified himself with The principles
Of The party he was the chosen one Of 8
few, and though eminen, in another field
and warmly cherishing The measures of the
Wing party, vet he hH no, been their de-
fender in the councils Of the nation.
There was not that union 10 the Wing
ranks, that heartfelt sympathy and graft
iude experienced for Gen. Scott that snl.
mated The Wings and nersed them TO &C.
ton 10 The conies, Of IA, when iba, great
exponent Of their principles, who had spent
life OF nearly three score years and ten
in their advocacy, Was their candidate.
So much for the men-ihe principles of
the party are unchanged. and The man II
unwise who predicts that defeat will weak
en- shen, or detrac, from ihe strength oil
the party which supports them. No divis
ion will be made, 10 pew party be formed |
New issues may spring up and for time
absorb interest, but the same principles
looking to the support Of The Constitution,
The union of the States, regard for the ma
tional interests and preservation Of The ma
tional honor, will be maintained. The
great landmarks Of the party are there and
30 long as the Government stands will the.
conservative principles proiessed by the
Wing party, challenge The Investigation
and claim the support Of men who love
their country and seek her prosperity.