Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-05-15
THE PRESIDENCY.
Reply to C. L. r.

Reply to C. L. r.. ,
EDITOR INTELLIGENCER:-There was COM
nunication In your issue of the oath ult.. signed
;. L. E.. advocating the claims OF Hon. Will
lam X. Morrison for the presidency. The in
tials c L. +. clearly indicate the author. whose
opinions ars entitled to respectful consideration
II his Intention was only ts pay merited COM
pliment to an able and distinguished statesman,
who has ever been true to principle. can, with
pleasure. concur with him. But if It was to
place bis name more prominently before the
country, and promote his chances for nOmina-
ten by the Cinninnati convention, must dis
sent, and ask place in your valued columns to
give my reasons for differing from him.
TO the observer Of the tendencies and inten-
tions OF the two great political parties, it Is
clear that one of them. the republican, if sue
cessiul, will endsavor to effect radical changes
in the government and concentrate much
greater share Of the political and civil powers
IN the general government. 1t is now asserted
in their conventions by the oracles that speak
for the party. in language that cannot be mis-
understood, that this is not = confederation Of
states which have. for the general good, delegs-
ted portion of their sovereign powers to the |
general government, but that it Is nation. IL |
is boldly proclaimed by its leaders that this |
government which has withstood the shock OF |
foreign wars, and passed safely through one Of
the greatest civil conflicts that the world ever
knew, is too weak to sustain itself and protect
its citizens in the exercise of their rights, and
that 1t is their intention to give 1t powers never
possessed by it before. II they succeed, they
will do 1t, and thus the character OF the govern
ment will be changed, and the liberties Of the
people generally stolen away from them and IN
10 ~
republic will, imperceptiby to the people. pass
away. and some Napoleon be planted safely up
imperial throne.
The democratic party, ever true to the prln-
ciples of republican government, is opposed to
this dangerous doctrine of the republicans. In
tue only hope Of the patriot for the
preservation Of the government It's founders
| created it. Its success will be the triumph OF
| that system, established by the wisdom OF those
groat heroes who organized IT; whose only OBJ
jcct TO secure to themselves and their poster
lty the blessings of liberty and protection to life
| and property. But how can the democratic
party best secure SUCCESS 1t is well known
| thut the forthcoming struggle Will he gigantic
one-One which Will call forth the greatest efforts
| of the contending parties. Ability and money
will be lavishly expended, and u!l will admit
that the result is shrOuded the g Ieatest uncsr-
taintY. With doubt hanging over it. what
should be the policy OF the Cincinnati conven-
tion Would it be wise to nominate u candi-
date who was only partially known. nnd who
WAS not finally seated in the affection and con-
adence OF the people?
| Now. is Mr.. Morrison the man to win success
] What great leading part has he acted? What
great measures has he, by his wisdom, Origlna-
ted. or by his influence passed through the halls
/ nj lepI thuf huS enienret him q q n
pie 1t is true that with cOmmendabls patriot
ism he enlisted In the war with Mexico to defend
the honor and interests OF his country. so did
q, 600 others, and there We're lO0, ,OO0 more be-
hind, ready to go at their cOuntry's call. Ii hs
ever displayed any great ability or gallantry in
that memorable campaign, in which 80 many
distinguished themselves, Il have never heard
fit. 1t is also true that ut the outbreak Of the
great war between the states, he entered the
army to prevent the destruction Of the union, ns
did 3 900 900 others. But, unlike most OF them
he, long before the struggle ended, resigned the
position he held, and returned TO the peaceful
| shades Of private life. His military career is
} surpassed by thousand others, amsng then
| Lee. Jackson, Mcclellan and sherman, witt
} whose greatness he could never be associated
! If nominated it Is believed he would be opposed
by Gen. Grant, before whose reputation hi
/, star at the approach OF the rising sun. But il
E his career civil life any more distinguished
What has he ever accomplished that would CIV
him popularity in the doubtful states and Sc
. cure them to the democratic cause2 Gould he
. even, promise to lead his great state Il
+. victory? Would it not be known that he wOul
i meet with oven whelmIng defeat in it, and thu
destroy his prestige in others. cannot see an
| of those elements of strength in Mr. Morrison
that would arouse the enthusiastic support Q
S the people and give hopes Ut victory at the ap
proachlng election.
But there are others under whose banners til
4 people would enlist and with the most aanguin
hopes OF success and among them stands proud
' ly. prominently, HOratio Seymour, Of Ne,
r York. His great ability rs u statesman the COZ
reetncss OF his position upon all greatquestions
j, | his devoted patriotism, and the purity of hi
= | character are known in every section. and hav
o endeared him to all. His name is IL hOusehOl
J. word in the mansion OF the wealthy and Ii
e hamlet Of the poor. He stands upon high pr
. nacle before the people. far above the reach
e criticism, or the arrows of political caluiun
| and detractlon. He is one OF the few remaining
1 links that connect the pure and great statesIua
% of the past with the present, and who would
r possessing, he does the confidence of all re
store peace and harmony TO his country, and b
Wise policy again unite 1t in raternul unior
e With his name enblazoned upon the Democrat
banner. the discortlant elements OF the party
n his own state, all OF which honor him, wou
l. gather around him and give him victory ther
d Thel with Hendricks rs vice president. Indian
d would unite with New York. and these, adde
n to the southern states. would elect the presiden
and once more restore the control Of the govern
he nent to the democratic party. Success will Il,
lie :pmpllsh all things Let the convention ut Ci
- cinnati look alone to this end and give us Sc,
J. nl0ur and Hendricks. r.
le