The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-05-20
.OhITICAE.
TIE VICE PRESIDENCY.

The ordinary duty deYolving upon the
Vice President of this confederacy-1hato of
presiding over the Senate-is of so little
consequence, compared TO the higher and
more varied duties pertaining to the chief
Executive Of the nation, that in the can
vass for nominations, this office is liable to
attract much less attention than it really
deserves. 1t is not perhaps, doubted that
the nominations for it have sometimes been
given as crumbs are frequently thrown out,
to appease the appetites of hungry animals
who have been deprived of share in the
principal feast, or to attract and "catch up"
stragglers, individually in factions, who
might OTHERWISE resort to other banquets.
The contingency under which the second
officer in the government may become the
first, and the fact to under the constitution
that contingency has twice occurred, should
admonish those who may have O hand in
selecting candidates. to the exercise Of great
caution with regard to this as we'll as the
higher office. At this thine, especially, we
conceive this matter presents more than
usual claims upon those who are to deter
mine upon the candidates for the Demo-
cratic party. 1t is far from certain that
in the triangular, if not quadrangular con-
test, there will be an election by the peo-
pie, for either office. In that event the
House of Representatives will be called
upon to select from the three candidates who
shall have received the highest number of
electoral votes, q President; and the Senate,
from the two candidates having the highest
number Of votes, a Vice President. AS to
the result in the latter body. in view of its
political complexion, there can be no doubt.
As to that in the House, Judging from its
action on the Speakership, there may be
some uncertainty. Should it fail to elect
President, by the third of March, the Pre-
sident, whether elected by the people, or
by the Senate, VIII be the President for the
ensuing four years.
Taking so little part as we do in political
matters, we scarcely know who arc candi-
dates for nomination and are therefore not
prepared to give advice, even if it would be
considered decorous for us to do so. With
out any violation of our neutrality and lit
SIoL ShdllC HO"cNSIS anu WlLnOuJ any
disparagement to other candidates of the
same or any other party, we do not hesitate
to transfer to our columns the following
paragraph from late letter by the Wash
ington correspondent of the Pittsburg Morn
ing Post:
''Perhaps it may not be out of place to
say a word here with regard to the Vice
Presidency Tho co1an4;nY, of
for the Presidency so entirely controls the
nomination for the second place on the
ticket, that it can hardly be taken into con-
siderotiOn in advance of the meeting of the
Convention. The Southern States, howev-
er, at this time, look to the northern States
for Presidential candidate. laying no claim
to the nomination until it shall appear that
neither of the names now prominent can
be chosen. Several of the southern States
have therefore presented some of their own
citizens for the Vice Presidency, and among
them North Carolina has named her favorite
son James c. Dobbin, the present Secreta-
ry OF the Navy. No man possesses grea-
ter share of personal popularity; he is q
national Democrat in the true sense of the
term, and above all, an honest man. He
has the confidence and respect of the whole
country; and in point tofavailability, yields
to the preference of none of the southern
States. His name would add to the strength
of any ticket that may be selected, and his
nomination would be a deserved compliment
to the steady and true Democracy of the
old North State. MERCER.
Mr.. Dobbin has been for over three years
in charge of responsible and trying branch
of the government, and under circumstan-
ces of peculiar delicacy, particularly in the
action he has been compelled to take in
regard to the measure of naval reform"-
a measure very liable to create enemies,
even with the most cautions handling. Yet
he has passed the ordeal, if not entirely
without giving offence, at least, with as
little personal hostility to himself, as any
man in like circumstances could have en-
gendered. His unquestioned aim to do
right, his general SUCCESS in pleasing those
with whom he has had to deal, his high in
tellectual accomplishments, his proverbial
kindness of heart and suavity of manners
have won him many friends Washington
City Spectator.