Quality of being available.--Worcester. That qualification in a candidate which implies or supposes a strong probability of his success, apart from substantial merit--a probability resulting from mere personal or accidental popularity. The thing has long existed in the Papal Government, where the advanced age of a candidate for the triple crown has often been the motive of his election; the idea being that he would soon die out of the way and leave the chair vacant for a new trial of strength under more favorable auspices, perhaps, for some of the electing cardinals.
Inoffensiveness--exemption from strong hostility in any quarter--is a frequent element of availability. [J. Inman.]
As this word is not noticed by any lexicographer except Dr. Worcester, and is now much used, it is thought advisable to give several examples of its use.
For some months past, a regular system of crying down Mr. Clay as unavailable, has been prosecuted with indefatigable energy and adroitness throughout the Union. ..... Mr. Clay is a great man--able statesman--all of us prefer him to anybody else if he could be elected, but I'm afraid he isn't available.--Letter in N. Y. Tribune, May, 1848.
The only possible motive for the choice of Mr. Cass that we can imagine, is his presumed "availability," the elements of this being his known predilection, real or assumed, for territorial acquisition in all quarters, by warlike means as well as others, and his avowed devotion to the Southern or slave-holding interest.--N. Y. Com. Adv., May 26, 1848.
These political Conventions are certainly becoming more odious and objectionable from year to year, and availability, not merit or qualifications, is the only requisite to secure a nomination.--Baltimore Cor. of the N. Y. Herald, May, 1848.
At a Democratic meeting held in New York to ratify the nomination of Gen. Cass, Mr. McAllister, of Georgia, said that
Henry Clay, about whom the Whig party had professed such ardent attachment, had been carried upon the altar of availability, and there sacrificed by the hands of his pretended friends, and inquired what kind of a spectacle it presented to the young men of our country with ardent spirits--young men who have attached themselves for a time to the car of Whigism.--N. Y. Herald, June, 1848.
At the same meeting the Hon. James Bowlin, of Missouri, thus expressed himself, in relation to General Taylor:
The Whigs within the last few days have presented candidates for the highest office in the gift of the people, who are without any principles. ... What do they mean by this in thus presenting candidates who have no principles? They proceed on the principle of mere availability, and nothing else. They are again going to insult your judgments, and tarnish the character of the nation by their exhibitions of coon-skins and hard cider, and their midnight debaucheries, as they did in 1840.--Report in N. Y. Herald, June 12, 1848.