The southern press. [volume] (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 PREsIDENcY-We copy below the reso
utions adopted by the recent Democratic
State convention of Pennsylvania, which by a
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 bA misgov-
erned without her help, and there is no ground
of hope that any exertions on her part, however
ardent and untiring, can save them from being
msgoverned 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-
utions give to the doctrine of State Rights and
give of respecting the rights Of the South, will
tend to strengthen Mr.. Buchanan's party
throughout the South, and the more, because
these doctrines and pledges are in harmony
with the princi es he has always maintained
through his long public career. His high abil-
| ity, abundant experience, and his moderation of
character, are all strong argun ents in his favor,
and increase the chances that time ard exami-
nation will rather enlarge than diminish the
number of his friends. Still, such is the per-
versity and crookedness of party politics, that
| it 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
chance of being overlooked, and choice
made, not because any man thinks it will be the
best Spr the country, but because n sufficient
number of crafty wire-puers believe it will be
the moA profitable for themselves.
Apparently the most formidable competitor
of Mr.. Buchanan, will be Senator Douglas OF
Illinois. We cannot suppose that Sam Hous.
ton and Gen. Cass will be much in the way
The former has neither responsibility as man
nor weight as politician, and the latter very
greatly undermined the confidence of his former
friends, by the strangely unwise course he has
pursued in regard to the foreign relations of the
country. He has not only made very foolish
movements, but he has failed in getting even
| fools to follow him. His craftsmanship has
been an abortion, and his candidacy, if the party
should be weak enough to select him, will
prove a still greater abortion.
But Douglas is another sort of man. Really
superior in talents, he has the secret of making
all his powers available for popularity and in
fluence. In the Northwest, he would have
very cordial and general support, and has not
few supporters in Virginia. The great danger
to the party is that the claims of the candidates
will be pressed with zeal that will degenerate
into acrimony, and that when the choice is final.
ly made, there will be no general concurrence
in sustaining it. If Buchanan and Douglas
could be agreed upon as the Democratic ticket
for President and Vice President, we do not
believe that the Wings could make respecta-
BILE showing in opposition. But it is probably
expecting too much moderation in the candi-
dates, and too much common sense in the party
TO look for such combination.