The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-20

The Richmond Wing furnishes the follow
ing sketch Of the remarks of Mr.. Matthew st.
Clair Clarke, at the Capitol, in reference to the
Van Buren, party and their (no) candidate for
the Vice Presidency.
MR.. CLARKE'S OWL STORY.
Mn. MATTHEW ST.. CLAIR CLARKE being
loudly called for, appeared on the stand, and
SAID that he was highly pleased 10 find himself
mere on the soil of Old Virginia, seeing and
nearing what he had been Witnessing for the
last three days. | want, said he, when ! go
home, TO tell them what you say down here
II have the ability to receive, by absorption,
yet more enthusiasm in the Wing cause. shall
get il here. thought had il pretty heavily in
the natural way, but since coming here, have
been inoculated. daughter and cheers.) Here
are the Ladies' God bless them, out for the third
day, giving one more proof that "Old Virginia
never tires" | shall tell, too that here beheld,
holding on TO the good cause, the sanctifed man
Of God, (pointing to Bishop Moore) whose We
nerable locks give grace to this assemblage.-
know that, as Christian Minister, he alb
stains from mingling in our party s,rifes, but he
is here to sanction public efforts for the preser-
walton OF liberty He need not say 10 the Wings,
$50 on, my sons" for they are already going
ahead like locomotive. But there are perhaps
some Van Buren, men TO whom he may address
the invitation of Moses-ssCome with US, for we
will do you good and not HARM" And, now
ask, who is the person whom Mr.. Van Buren,
has SET up TO run for the Vice Presidency agains,
Virgina's distinguished SOM Where is he2
Has he been named2 No. General Jackson
did nominate Jenny Polk as his fayorite candi-
date but really do not know what has become
of him-I rather think he is used up. Laugh
ter.) As candidate, his has been short reign
1t puts me in mind Of the epitaph on Little
Billy:
IF lies here so quickly done for,
wonders what was begun for"
(Roars of aughter.) They may look, fancy,
a long time before they will find any man that
will do to run against old John Tyler. We
know him in the District, and we love and ho-
nor him. We do not forget, that upon any sig
nal occasions he has used his efforts and infiu-
ence to do US justice. In late address, stated
that there were great many People in the Dis
trict of Columbia who were opposed to the pre-
sent Administration, and gave as the reason,
that if any man resided there long who was en-
tirely clear of all share in the "Treasury pap
he could not but be revolted, as an honest man. at
the corruption he must witness The People Of
the District have been recently made 10 feel the
hand Of power. And why2 Because we have
dared TO express our sentiments on the state Of
public affairs like independent, free American
citizens. Many clerk has come to me in the
night, and the darker the night was the more
sure they were to come-if II rained hard, so
much the better-for they dared not openly be
seen or heard to tell what was passing from day
to day under their eyes. But now they are be-
ginning to speak more boldly, and they are made
to feel the consequence. The course of the Adj
ministration, in looking out for some candidate
to put against Virginia's candidate, John Ty-
Ter, reminds me of the prayer Of certain very
good and pious lady, who, having passed par
ticuldr period, after which it is deemed lawful
to deny an answer to the Assessors question,
How old are you 2" had cast about for COM
panion in life, but no helpmate had been found
for her. Most disconsolate she was, and did
not know what to do. At length, having failed
of all the aid from man, the next thing she re-
sorted to was to go 10 prayer She accordingly
retired to the woods hard by, and there prayed
long and most devoutly for husband At
length the tones of her voice walked up an owl
in a neighboripg tree, who clapped his wings,
and cried Hoo hoo! hoop Taking the sounds
she heard as a response and a question from
Heaven, the delighted fair one cried, "Good
Lord! any body"
Mr.. Clarke retired amidst roars of laughter.