The New Hampshire Gazette

Mr. Webster's Political Principles.—We want to go into the next Presidential canvass understandingly—and to commence, we want to know precisely upon what grounds Mr. Webster's friends found his claims to support. Stripped of the verbiage of fulsome eulogy, we should like to have his political character set before the public, in its true light, by some one of those ardent friends, who so clamorously urge his election to the Presidency.

Are we to look for his principles in the early productions of his pen, written at a time when it was not considered altogether impolitic to profess the doctrines of ultra federalism?—or are we to overlook his 'youthful indiscretions,' and come at once to the productions of his riper years? Shall we go to his pamphlet upon the Embargo, or turn to his speeches in Congress during the last war? Shall we cite his denunciation of the war—his taunts upon the 'RASH councils' which declared it, and the 'FEEBLE EXECUTION' with which it was carried on? Shall we search the arguments he adduced to prove that opposition to that war was both 'CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL?'—the encouragement he held out to the allies of the British government to 'WALK FEARLESSLY' to 'THE LIMIT OF CONSTITUTIONAL OPPOSITION?' We must confess that from all these sources we gain nothing to recommend Mr. Webster to the American People. Where then shall we look?—Shall we take it for granted that his political principles are in unison with those of the individuals who have brought him forward for the Presidency? If so, let us inquire if his leading and confidential editor, did not once profess a willingness to 'LIVE AND DIE IN THE FAITH OF THE HARTFORD CONVENTION?'—and if another political ally of his, and a member of that Convention, has not publicly declared, that never, until he joined the society of the just made perfect, did he expect to find so pure and patriotic a body of men. If in these facts, or in any others which stand recorded in the political history of the country, there exist any circumstances tending to prove Daniel Webster a fit man to preside over the destinies of a free people, we must confess that we cannot discover them. If his friends can, let them be brought forward, and we promise to give them the consideration they merit.

—Boston Statesman.