Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-06-09
FOR PRESIDENT I'm 1860
HON. WE. T.. DAYTON,
Of New Jersey.
Presidential Qualifications


Presidential Qualifications.
People who do their own thinking, though
they sometimes reach conclusions which MAJ
not approve themselves to our Judgment, il
general, compel respect. 1t is not an easy
thing to take an independent course. Nc
men feel this more than those who belong te
political parties. Eminent talent and devo
tedness to the great principles of party, give
men, in time, a leadership, which soon causes
a sort of infallibility to attach to their opin.
ions. Lazy men who do not want to think,
and who never allow themselves to have an
independent opinion, seeing such a thing ne
cessitates the trouble Of searching for, and
syStematizing arguments in its defence, are al
ways glad to acknowledge these master minds,
and take their conclusions as irrefragable and
final. Men devoid of conscientiousness do the
anne thing, for the reason that new ideas are
generally toe slow in working their way, for
either popularity or pocket. Here, then, po-
litical leaders find their easy disciples, whether
in the primary meeting in a township, or in
the Congress Of these United States. It is so
every session. The Democratic Senator or
Congressman takes his cue from Cabinet Off
cials. or their satellites, and votes according
to their wishes. If he does not do this, he
fluids himself read out" like Douglas or
Haskin.
There was a good deal of the same thing in
the palmy days Of the old Wing party. Hen,
~ Clay did the thinking, laid down the prin-
ciples, and the great bulk of the party said,
II bclicve." 1t was beretical to doubt. New.
ertheless, there was here and there one who
could do this. Among them We are proud that
the name of WIZ. L DAYTON, stands conspic.
uous. No man had more respect for Mr..
Clay's judgment; and on the occasion of the
introduction Of the famous Compromise bill,
for the admission Of California-the enactment
of the Fugitive Slave Law, with the abolition
OF the slaye-trade in the District of Columbia,
and other purposes, Mir. Dayton confessed that
be had followed him at a distance, too easy
to desire, or even to consent to a position of
personal antagouiSm" Nevertheless, alike by
his independence and ~eloqueuce, Mr.. Dayton
let the Senators know that New jersey was
"in the United States" and that her repre-
sentatiVes had abilities to judge and act in the
great questions Of the times. Mr.. Dayton at
the time, described Mr.. Clay's advocacy of the
Compromise Measures as d spectacle of NOR
al grandeur" which he could not but re,
spect and ADMIRE but at the same time he
assumed a position of independence, and then
presented in the face of the honored leader Of
bis party, "a spectacle of moral grandeur
not at all behind Kentucky's renowned Senator.
Mr.. Dayton's sagacity, at that time, perceived
that the measures proposed would be of little
real benefit. He described the bill as an Gin
noxious prescription" which will for q mo.
ment tranqullize The nerves of an o~ver.excited
patient" His prophecies have become to be
facts. While, however, we admire the fore.
sight, it is the independence of party, and
party leaders, which we wish our readers to
mark.
The Democracy--so called-aim to find a
man for President, who is either known to
have d character as yielding as wax, so thai
he can be used, any way, as party exigencies
may demand; or som old party stalactite, who
has received shape and form under the infuen-
ces Of party, till be is certain, under all cir
cumstances, to eleave to it and let its behests
fasten On to him without a thought of doubt
or resistance. Such a candidate, men of true
intellectual Vigor and real patriotism, do not
want: a mere blind adherent Of party, wheth-
er Wing, Republican or American, can not
pole the whole vote of any section of the OPP
position; while the mention Of a united vote
is ridiculous. Back bone is in demand. Thanks
to the party that made Pierce and Buchanan
Presidents, for a quickened moral sense
throughout the land. The national stomach
has been turned to some purpose, and now
people. demand a candidate who will not sacri-
fee manliness aud patriotism on the altar of
party. How truly Mr.. Dayton reflects this
popular demand, We think is proved conclusive.
ly by his past career. We have seen it stated
that he is too good a man" to be elected Pres
dent. We suppose the Chester Co. Times had
some such fear when it says: "If the country
should elect SO good a man, it will be fortu
nate indeed" We have some fear that our citi
zens have not all the stern regard for high NOR
al qualities, which characterized the earlier
history of cur country; nevertheless, if Mr.
Dayton is too good a man to secure either
nomination or election, we shall have a NOR,
humiiiating opinion, than We have yet had, o
the degeneEacy of our times, from those which
sag h the goodness Of Washington the grea
reason for electiug him President.
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