Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1842-05-17
Mr.. CLAY's MANIFESTO.

Mr.. Clay has been candidate for. tn
Presidency from the moment of his re
turn from Europe, at the close of the las
war, up to the present time, now perO
of five and twenty years. Twice or thric
he has gone to the polls, and once with
whole support of tie party TO which he be
longed. That he will continue to be {
candidate, till success OF death extinguish
es such condition, no one acquainted
with his character and indo, ,mitable ambi
ton can doubt. Let us do Mr. Clay jus
tice; let us commend his virtues, and ap
plaud his talents; let us praise him for al
in him that is praisworthy; and this III
more cheerfully, as we do not intend Il
'exisnuate his political'faults, and the fatal
fatal consequences of his recent political
conduct. Without much literature, OF
any great extent of general knowledge
he has strongunderStanding, now a good
deal cultivated by habits Of business. A
good person, fine voice, an attractive and
commanding manner, fit him eminently
for public debate; and he loves to la
mentable excess, what he excells in
His irritable temper brooks no conhadic-
ton, and by far fonder of finvective and re-.
tort, than of the influences of soft pursua.
sion, neither friend nor foe who oppose
him in debate, can expect quarter. In
deed, on these occasions he treats his
friends worse than his foes; for while
he looks on the latter as his enemies, in
lawful war, he regards the former as re-
bellious subjects who deserve no mercy.
To precise logic, or cool reasoning, he
has little pretence: but for the illustration
and enforcement Of general principles,
his resources are respectable, and the
skill with which he uses them evinces
both adroitnes and practice. He has other
important qualities Of distinguished lea
der in popular assemblies. He is bold
fearless ready, ardent, and when diScom-
fitted and overthrown, as no often is, even
in good cause by his impru1ence and
excess he can retire, beating such skill
full retreat, nevertheless, as still seems
to have an air aftriumph in it Excessive
ly fond Of Ofadmiration, as public orator,
and consequently studying effect more
than a wiseman should, he cannot, nor
never could forego joke, or sarcasm,
which should bring applause from the gall
lery, though at the same time, it should
plant dagger or create vuInus immedi.
cable, in another's heart. The natural
result orthis temper has been fully shown.
While no man, in his speeches gains
more general applause, no man inflicts so
much private pain, or creates SO deeP'seat-
ed dislike in the bosom ofhis adverse
ries.
The history of Mr.. Clay's opinions,
since 1905, and of his steady efforts
steady in their objects, though far from
stoady in their meaus-must hereafter
form topics of discussion. The position
in which he has now chosen TO place HIM
self, and the hosiilities which he has COM
menced, render this absolutely necessa-
ry, for the purposes Of lawful defence
At present we confne ourselves to recent
occurrences.
Mr.. Clay was candidate for the NOM
ination Of President, at the Harrisburg
Convention, in December 1889. His san
guine and ardent temperament would not
/ suffer him TO indulge in the least appre-
hension ofdsfeat No friend, nor all bis
friends together, could persuade him that
Gen. Harrison, or Gen. Scott would be
more likely than himself to succeed
against Mr.. Van Buren,. He would not
believe ibid not believe it--does not
believe il now. At this moment he is
perfecly convinced, that if he had been
nominated, he would have been elected;
and the defeat Of his nomination he i'm.
putes to treacheTy and fraud. There are
those who preferred another candidate,
and whom, for thatreason alone, be choos-
es TO sonsider and dehOunce as enemies
and traitors, whom he has since pursued.
ana will pusue, till they 60 TO their graves
rhe goes to bis, with implacable resent,
ment. He has an iron memory for injuries
and he Is like other men who hate with.
ont canse A sort Of consciousness that
they have no cause TO hate, only leads
them ie hate the more. A Conscience
accusing itselfof unjust resentmsnts, Of