The American patriot., 1855-12-15


already began to look around for . suitable
man for the high aad responsible post Of the
Chief Magistracy. Thspresent crisis of our ma
tional affairs require that much prudence and
eircumspection should be exercised in making
the selection. Perhaps there never has been
time in our country history when The people
should be more cautious how and for whom
they cast their votes in future. Several distin-
guished men have been proposed by political
Journalists, in different sections of the country
- eminsntly qualified for the position, among
whom are Crittsndsn, Fillmore, Dickinson,
Dallas, Buchanan, Douglas and Wise. All Of
these are bright shining lights in the respect
i've parties to which they belong, but whether
the noble honors Of the highest Office in the
gift Of the people will fall upon one Of these or
whether the damnable and dangerous policy Of
availability will maintain calling some obscure
individual not yet mentioned to this high post,
and who shall come recommended only by his
want Of reputation and that nothing can be
said against him remains to be seen.
It has been said that tho time is past in the
history ofour country when truly great man
can b elected to the Presidency. 1t is mel.
sncholy fAct that the policy acted upon by both
parties for the last several years been to select
such man for their candidates whose qualifica.
tons are rather negative than positive-men
against whom nothing can be said rather than
those distinguished for services done their
country. And when elected, such Presidents
bscome mere things party tools, pandering to
party preudicss and uinistering solely to par.
ty ends. Such miserable policy is alike dan.
gerous and disgracefal to our government
The posture Of affairs At this time in our
country, it will not do to triae with them
statesman is required to be at the head of
Government characterized as much by pat
riotism, as he is by genius and devotion to
the constitution. The present administration
has bean in many respects . failure, it is un.
popular to some extent even with the party in
power. To correct the errors Of the last four
years, viii devolve on the next President. The
relation between England and our country is be.
coming less friendly, and an open rupture
may ensue between them Our next PreGi.
dent should be man equal to such an emer.
gency.
The position Of the Cuban question is as
suming grave and portentious aspect some-
thing at once polite and decided, will have to
be done in this quarter, during the next four
years. But above all the difficulty which now
exists in Kansas is the most important and is
likely, if not amicably adjusted, to seriously
affect our condition and national welfare.
To select chief Magistrate distinguished
alike for talent, patriotism and devotion to the
best interests Of the country, one who may
be well qualified to guide our ship of State
safety through the storms, which are threaten
Ing our national existence is the great work now
before the American people
Since the old issues have been settled be.
tween the Wing and Democratic parties, moth
ing was left to be done but battle for the spoils
Of Office. To elect their man was the only OBJ
ject parties had to consider to divide the spoils
followed - the fruits ofvictory. But change
has come over the spirit Of our national dream.
We want President, not one merely capable
ofdividing the good things, which are placed at
his official disposal fairly and impartially among
his own partizans, but one who is equal to the
present emergency and who will discharge
with wisdom and spirit the duties Of the chief
Aagistracy in Ill their varied qualifications.
In choosing President the first point to
consider ia to look out for sound national
distinguished statesman-one who has been
thoroughly tried, and not found wanting. Not
= mere available upstart, but one devoted to the
union and to the constitution as it exists. One
who will not desturb those old questions which
have been passed upon again and again by the
people, the principles of which have taken
place among the settled policies Of the couu.
try.
We have no fears concerning the doctrines
of Native Americanism, let the. reins of Gov.
crnmeut fall into whatsoever hands they may.
The present Administration. as imbecile as it
is, has taken measures to prevent the hnporta-
tion Of paupers and criminals into our country,
and the necessity for modification of the nat.
uralization laws, is matter so apparent that it
is impossible to overlook or neglect it, let wha.
party rule that may. Sooner or later, these
reforms must and will be made by the whole
American people, without distinction of party.
Of the distinguished names mentioned in
connection with the Presidency, our first choice
is DANIEL s. DICKINSON Of the State of
New York. Our second, MILLARD FILL
MORE.