The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-12-07
WHO SHALL BE OUR NEXT PRESI-

DENT.
The New Bedford Mercury takes the fol-
lowing melancholy view of the Presidential
field as it stands at present:
The State elections being settled, il is
about time for the initiatory movements to
commence for the Presidential campaign.-
Ever since President Pierce came in the entire
| United States have been under conviction
that at the close of his term somebody would
be wanted to fill his place. Only few gen.
tlemen in official stations, who are bound to
worship the meridian sun in preference to
any rising or to rise, have contradictcd the
universal desire for change. We cannot con-
slider the present incumbent MS a candidate,
since nobody, except in discharge Of official
duty, dreams of his reelection. First upon
the list comes Daniel Pratt, and close by,
following, George Washington Frost Mellen.
Neither Of those mighty men can be spared
from the post Of private virtue. Then Com.
Stockton, who is supposed to be popular in
the navy and with the sailors, has been nomi.
mated in New Jersey, and will not decline if
much urged. Gen. Houston, who has lite
published, and who appears therein as the
Gen. Houston was once thought to be well
ahead on the track especially since he was
happily baptlsed Samuel. George Law has
also accepted nominations, and George Law
is reported to have great deal of money; so
that, contrary TO the popular believe, those
who $50 to Law" will get rich. Mr.. Dallas,
of Pennsylvania, has been named in connec-
ton with the Presidency, but in consequence
of his foreign aHtecedents, is thought to be
ineligible. Senator Douglas was much talked
OF three years ago. but, at present, none are
so poor rs to do him any reverence Willard
Fillmore has the advantage of practical expe-
rience. He has also taken the 'lhird degree"
and ought to fud favor in the eyes of the
Know Nothings. Then Mr.. Buchanan is Il
standing candidate, and may be considered
the "tirst choile" of every body, but for "pru-
dental reasons" not to be nominated. Lastly,
there is Henr' A. Wise, of Virginia, whom
the Louisville Journal called "Mr. Otherwise"
Mr. Wise has written one or two remarkable
letters, spic, rs New York gingernut, and
snort as himself Mr.. Wise, Of elected, it
will not b by Know Nothing votes, it is safe
to say) will draw the sword o! Virginia, and
proceed u cut in pieces the personal liberty
bill of Massachusetts, and to decapitte all
and suniry, the editors who have said one
word against Judge Loring.
Out II this proiuson of candidates what
barrenIess Of choice. We have named half
score of men, not one of whom, with the
exception perhaps of Mr.. Fillmore and Mr..
Buchanan, has given evidence OF n particle Of
that administrative talent which should fit
him for the post be is desired to fill. That
neither of those gentlemen have shadow Of
n chance, makes it only the more striking
But we have no belief that the choice will
fall upon any we have named. The happy
individual is now reposng in innocent OBJ.
security. To be tjlked of for that place is
certain omen of defeat, unless upon the eve
Of the conventional nomination. The jealous
policy of modern politics requires obscurty.
The republic dresds her great men. The
popular mind desires not Il wise leader, but
the idol Of day. The less that is krown of
the hero, the bctter Take up a country at.
torney, like Pierce, and you can ascribe to
him every virtue uider heaven, for be certain
no one knows anything TO contradict what
you say. If the candidate has never made
speech or written letter, so much the better
for his chances.
We wish we could see some indications of
new era-of better time coming-but we
cannot. TIE descent in Presidential ability
has been gradual but sure. We nave got
from military services down 10 mere military
rank. We have LETT worshipping the sword,
and gone to deilyiog the coat and epauIcttcs
Of the general.
Before the change for the better comes, we
fear it must be still worse. We look yet to
see some political hack, or some accidental
notoricty, paradcd ny Il candidate, for whom
the country will have hourly to blush and be
sad. The Mike Washes and the Bill PooIes
are not many years distant from the high
places Of office.
Unless the common sense Of the country is
aroused, this result win surely come upon us.
We have seen Il ticit consent Of parties gnor-
ing the claims Of the best men, and seeking
the available men. There is but one issue to
this fatal march. 1t is the loss of all respect
for offices that are filled by political dema.
gogues and for laws that are administered
only for the purposes If party. Republican
ism in this country neel never fear the ambi.
tion of one man; it has every reason to dread
the corruption of the many.