The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-09-13
From the Hartford Daily Conn., Co1ant.
Which do You ChoOses

This question is very soon to be practically an.
swered by the people of the United States. They
are very soon, to decide upon whom shall fall the
power of exercising the Government of this nation
for the coming four years. They are soon to select
the measures and dictate the policy that the coun
try mnst pursue, and by which it will either rise
or fall. The question becomes, then, one of i'm
mense importance. The present well.being Of
twenty five millions of human beings, and the flu
ture destiny of other millions yet unborn, may
hang upon it. II becomes every one TO whom the
question is asked to give it a serious, calm, and
thoughtful consideration.
The arrangements of party nominations and the
existing customs Of our country have narrowed
down this choice to two men-WINFlELp Scorr
and FRANKLIN PIERCE. One of these two men will
be chosen President of the United States Who
ever therefore casts for any third candidate,
filings away that vote, and shows an utter indiffer
ence to the actual prosperity and well being of his
country. Were there any hope, even the slight
est, of eIecting any other candidate, the duty
would be differ ent; but where il is matter of
tainty that the choice must be made between two
must " say, far the real, practical results
are concerned--duty requires decision.
Here then we have two great candidates Of the
parties presented to US. Something beyond the
mere support OF our party or the qualification Of
our selfish partisan feelings should guide in
dispassionate judgment on this subject, let US in
! Which of the t,co candidates has displayed Tie
greatest abilities? In answering this question, we
ought to reflect upon the Importance OF the trust to
! be committed to the two men. man of ordi
nary abilities, OF inferior intellectual powers, or
of limited capabilities of judging, is not the man
for such an exalted and responsible post. Let US
| look then at the two men in contrast In what
ever situation Winfield Scott has been placed he
| has exhibited Lrecsey the abilities necessary tor
for the exgencies of that stuation He has been in
the most dangerous and difficult positions and has
always done precisely the thing necessary to pro-
duce success. Whether it has been on the battle
field, in the acquisitions OF conquest, or in the de
| fence OF our soll in the management of intricate
and perplexing negotiations, in the preservation
| Of peace, General Scott has been uniformly sue
cessful. His talents and abilities have thus been
placed beyond dispute Can the same things be
said Of franklin Piercef II he has ever accom-
| plishcd any thing for the good Of the nation, or
inanifested his atlities by the results Of his ac-
tions, his adhercnts will be able to showit. Has
He MADE HIS MARK AsywHERks
JVhct of The candidates has had the largest e1peri
| enee? Experience is of great importance in The
una na GENE nj of men. 1t gives US the knowledge
| of human nature, without which the most tram
scendent genius but strikes in the dark, Winfield
Scott has The effect his mind, which the expert
cnce of forty years service in the various duties
which his country has called upon him to perform,
| has given him. to assist him in in the management
of our national affairs. Where ia Franklin Picrces
experience oil all that the country requires and the
| condition of the world demands?
Which Of the candidates has been placed in the most
trying situations? Here Ia another question to 20
sist in gaining the doubtful. Look at the difficult
situations in which Scott has been placed, and view
| the prudence, moderation, and discretion he has
exhibited amid their difficulties, and the skill and
energy with which he has surmounted them Wit
ness him in restraining the exaspcrations Of or
citizens the Canadian frontier, in cooling the
| passions of the Maine Legislature, in preventing,
| by his moderation and forbearancc, the outbreak
OF the Charleston pulliders. But decidedly the
| most difficult situation in which Scott was ever
| placed was in entering the Mexican nation with
but small force, with enemies on every side light
ing for their homes schiie his Government ipish
ing to ruin the indpidua, neglected or refused to sup
ply him trM the necessary rem orcsments Here was
difficulty indeed but did Scott succumb TO it, or
faint under its pressuref By no means. He per-
| severed until lie conquered peace. Can the same
abilities that would perseveringy lead to such re-
| sults under difficulties be found in franklin
Piercei
| = Vhich Of the candidates has exhibited resources
egui 10 erery emergency trhich he has been pacd7
On this topic there can be no comparison between
F., the two men. Scott has groppled with every op-
easion where difficulty. presented itself, feeling
that he had within himself equal to the
emergency. Pierce has given up to difficulties,
| felt that there was lion in the way, and yielded
| TO inactivity. When in the Senate Of the United
States be abruptly resigned his post, the difficult
ties in the political horizon tbickening around
him. He never bad sufficient confidence in his