The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-23
CLAY CLUBS.

The farce of getting up ''Clay Clubs" we
perceive, is still the order of the day in varlou
quarters of the country. ave will not be again
cheated y exclain the Interested partisans who
are active in getting up these associations; and
= guard against the dangers taat might arse TO
their favorite from the spontaneous action OF the
People, through Convention called and consil-
tuted in accordance with, The feelings and wish
es of the great mass of the voters, select corps
minute menh-aIe to be formed, wherever 4
"Corporal's guard" thus willing to work for the
benefit of the leaders, can be found, TO act at a
moments warning, in furlherance of the laud-
able purpose of forestalling public opinion, and
by active concert Of action, TO pack all primary
conventions likely to have anything TO do with
the nomination Of a Presidential candidate, for
whom the support of The great Wing party may
be asked. Us by cohorts such as these-men
banded together, and acting by word of com
mand-that TIE PEOPLE are to,be "headed" and
prevented from again ''cheaing" their man, by
preferring another before him
But what "A laughabe commentary, is this
forming of partisan clubs and cliques upon the
People, 10 man almost, have their eyes turned
upon Harry of the West" as the only person
ft to bear rule in the land, and are painting for
an opportunity TO give substantial evidence,
through the baot-box, Of the intensity Of their
love and confidence If such be the case. why
the necessity Of these clubs, to keep alive the
admiration of the People TO ever and anon ga
a. ~ lar al 4 T.,
Bile, and give it an extra-heating, lest it should,
unfortunately, be again too cold and nanmate
when the period Of final action comes round ?
Why the necessity of having, at every four cor
ners, knot of sentnes to watch the movements
of the political waters, and take due care that
the poor simple People, who are all OF one way
Of thinking-who see but one object darkening
the political horizon, are not again "cheatedN
by themselves out of tn man of their choice ?
The veil is too ffmsy to cover the deception
The fraud is too gross to be hid by such a scan
ty covering of chaf The cheat is to be played
off upon the P ople, and not upon the man The
primary meetings OF the voters are 10 be packed
public opinion is 10 be fore stalled-the wishes
and hopes of the great mass of the People are
to be checkmaled, if such thing be possible
by organised corps of partisan prize-hg
And when the game Is played out-when the
tick is con sum uated-when the fraud is per
fected-lo! the People are to be told that such
is their spontaneous action And an effort viii
be made to cajole them into a confirmation Of
the pretty piece Of management thus cunningly
devised
But who 50 blind as to be caught IL a trap so
stupidity set and baitcd Z! The project goes
slipshod from the beginning. If evidence OF
this is needed, a glance at the various notices
calling these meetings, will afford IT, In dis
trcts numbering hundreds OF voters, but score
or two of names are appended to these notices
and of these, who can tell how many are real
or how many fictitious? how 4. any are placed
there voluntarily, or how many by threats or
arttul persuasion} And, IN most in lances,
the ma es to the call far outnumber the persons
in attendance at the formation Of the Clubs"
But the object is accomplished A grand -four
ish is sounded. A CLAY Club" has been form
ed! And 1.-The faithful, T" in all directions, take
up and proong the shout
Wen ''and what of ii ~ A partisan club
has been estabshed--but are the People con
vinccd2 Sob! It's all farce!