Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-11-18

the character and political course Of this ambi-
eran editor Of the Missouri Reporter. Ii shows
up the old gentleman in his true character
No impartial reader can review his past lie
without coming 10 the conclusion that he has
long been acting with view to acquire pow
er, which, if once acquired to the extent OF his
ambition, would WELD it to the oppression OF
all who had independence enough to refuse to
nod assent to whatever he might dictate.
The Setting SIM.
Mr.. Claws power and inhuence-his glory.
| is departing, never to return. Can he go, like
| philosopher, into retirement! We think
not. His temperament. habits and ambition,
| forbid the supposiion, iba; lie can bear defeat
| with forli;ude, or preserve his temper whilst
losing the power he has been accustomed to
WELD. His first aspirations to the Presiden-
CIV were felt when Calhoun, Lowndes and
| himself were regarded "a shining lights OF
the House Of Representatives of The United
Staies-when they were prominent advocates
of the late war with EDgland-and, when 1t
was the fashion for every leader or imaginary
leader in Congress TO have party OF his own,
and to value men only in proportion to their
! devotion to their leader. Webster, at that Pc
| Rod, became the favoriie Of the Norib-ailer
The death of Lowndes, Calhoun made himself
master Of portion Of the Soluble Wit
Clinton was the cherished son Of New York
and Mr. Clay was the acknowledged chief
Of the West. From that time to the present,
the political traflickets, when assembled at
Washington, calculating the chances 10 bat
ties contemplated, have invariably set them
selves to work to ascertain wha, the East, the
| West, the North or the South would do; and
| in speaking Of these geographical divisions,
reference was always had to the magnates, or
| supposed leaders.
For quarter Of century Mr.. Clay has re-
garded himself as the chosen champion Of the
| West, wthou, having doEe, in that time, any
thing for the benefit of this section Of the
Union. His constant aim has been to pur-
chase golden opinions in the East and in the
North. In the West he deemed himself Sc
cure--in Kentucky, absolute. Instead of
yielding TO opinions at home, he has been sue
cesstul - manufacturing opinion in that quar-
ter Except when temporarily beaten on the
relief question, and when once successfully
combatted by the Democracy under the bright
Aas of old Hickory, Mr., Clay's word has been
law in Kentucky. Allowing for the in,erres-
nuns referred 10, it may be said he has reign
ed there supreme Tor the last twenty five years.
| AS Representative in Congress- he spurned
the expressed will Of the State and voted for
| Mr. Adams as a Senator, instead Of carry ing
| Out the Will OF the Legislature, he has been
successful In controlling the Legislature, and
| In causing that body 10 reterate his sentiments
or yield obedience to his behes,s. His mas
| !oiy over majority of the members has been
so complete. that at times, he has caused them
suddenly to abandon cherished opinions and
| measures, and in some intances to reverse their
action as promptly as an engineer reverses the
motion OF steam engne-thus proving 10
The world that he was the soul, the body, and
the motive power Of HIS party in the State -
| Even at the late extra session Of Congress.
when instructed to vote agains, the bankrup,
law, he showed by his course tina, he adhered
10 the opinion he expressed many years ago,
that he had as much right TO instruct the Lee
gislatnre as that body had to instruct him.
He voted for the bankrupt law and carried il,
| thus setting those who elected him at defiance
| and they, good souls, have been servle
enough TO glofiiy him for the deed Resist
ance to his orders has only been successful in
kentucky when men Were driven 10 des2 era-
ton by pecuniary embarrassmenis, or when
those who opposed him did battle under the
glorious banner Of the Hero of New Orleans.
When repnlsed by the nation-,hrust aside as
unavailable by his own party-he fell back or
HIS kentuck, and renewed his efforts as Die
tator. Alter his defeat in the Harrisburg
Convention. and the election Of Gen. Harrison.
Mr. Clay's Governor, Letcher, was the first
man 10 announce 10 The American people, in
an oiflc'al document, tina! preparations were
necessary Tor an extra session Of CONGRESS-
| The Dictator was impatient. He could not
walt unlll the next regular session for the en-.
JOyment OF the fruits of the coon.sk in victory
He painted for power. and was resolved 10 ey.
erclse 1t, without delay, Gen. Harrison was
invited TO visit kentucky--he visited Ashland
and yielded 10 the will of MIR. Cay. The
extra session was called. Harrison entered
on the duties of his office. His Cabinet was
composed. with one exception, Of Clay men;
and Mr. Clay fancied he was ia fair way TO
nave all the public Offices filed with his crea-
lures, ana, 10 the end. TO reach the goal of his
ambltlon--ihe Presidency. In his bold at.
| ,e" p's 10 control the appointment of the New
| YORK Collector aud other prominent officers.
With view to dispense indirectly the patron
| age they would WELD, he soon convinced Gen.
| HARRISON that if he intended 10 be President
IN TACT, he must resist dic.ation anc encroacl,.
ments upon his rights--and, had the General
| lived few months longer, he would have
oeen as bitterly at war with Mr.. Clay as Mr..
!y'er Is now. But the old Genera. died, and
| 'he extra session followed. Then Mr.. Clar
proceeded to carve out the work for Congress
10 decide what should and what should not
De done; and. with the aid of midnight eau.
Gus oictation and the use Of the gag in the
mouse, he controlled both branches Of Con-
sress-but he was arrested in the overbearine
career by the President, whose vetoes on the
bank and dlrtibution questions were counter
: iron rulo Of e n.