The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-09-07
MR.. CLAY.

of an individual 10 a single term OF four years,
was early adopted by General Harrison aud some
of his friends, aud formed prominent ana
popular topic during the last election.
Whether such a practical innovation upon
the actual working of the Constitution would be
wise whether il would not be likely to create
more evils than it would cure; whether II would
not dangerously enfeeble the Executive Tor The
time being whether it would not multiply can
didaes for the Presidency, geometrcally' as
chances should be increased, automatically
whether, in short, the success OF such an opinion
would not tend to keep the country always un-
settled and uncertain, in its administration OF
affairs, are questions too great and important to
be now discussed. Mr.. CLAW did not enter,
early, into this notion. He did come into II,
however, and made it part OF his wing plat
form, at the Hanover dinner. Mr. Clay, by the
way, is always laying down platforms; and IN
al and '42 his political carpentry seemed to
content itself with platforms, without any al
tempt to raise superstructure. lie seemed 10
think tina, good plan, large and comprehen-
siye theory, was not only something, but every
hing. What measure did he attempt TO &C
complish, by his majority in the last Congress,
for the relief of the country not one, not one
He kept himself within generaliIles, Plausibl'l-
lies. small economies, and other popular topics
of practical discussion and defamation. As 10
measures, he essayed nothing. AS to acts, he
did nothing Such things were not within the
scope of his policy which policy was, clearly
and evidently, tina. the country was mol 10 DC
reiiered for three years afterwards. But, re-
turning TO the subject of The I" one term prlnci
ple"-.t is certainly true, that although not It's
early advocate, Mr.. Clay did become greatly at
,ached TO il, after the result Of The Harrisburg
Contention He then became satisfied, from
his long experience, that the one term principle
was essential to the salvation OF the Republic.
He wondered how such an auspclous changein
the practice of the. Governm, Mt had not struck
his clear and comprehensive miId in the tunes
of Mr. Adams He could not account Tor The
observation of his sagacity, al that day. IL Is
true, that he is older now than in the days oil Mr.
Adams. 1t is true, he may not feel that he mas
strength enough remaining 10 Crafty his pa'r'-
otsm by laborins for his country Tor more Than
-~our years, beginning at the point, which even
now, looms amidst the mis,s Of future time, TIL
ii seems already 10 be just at hand, the hrst OF
March, lS45. It'll true, that when that glorious
day shall arrive he will be somewhat advanced
in life, and none the younger for that curious
ouasi statement Of his own age, which he put
forth in his last speech in the Senate lie went
10 Kentucky forty seven years ago, 1t seems
not exactly san orphan not come 10 MS MAORI
ty.n but 81 as an orphan not come 10 his MAORI
~" Really, Mr. Clay's years have been so ior-
runate and happy, that it would appear no more
than common gratitude TO Providence to ac-
knowledge the whole of them.
But we stray from our intended path. Gen.
Uarri on's death raised a new question, under
the one term principle. He died one month
after his Inauguration, aud was succeeded
by Mr.. Tyler Now arose the inquiry, "Did
Mr.. T'yier come pifhin The one term pTinct-
e2n He had almost one whole term 10 serve,
but not quite If General Harrison had lived
three wears, or two years, even one year, the
matter might have been clear. Theremdinder,
in that case, could hardly be regarded as term
But, as if the fates designed TO perpltx Mr.
Clay. and keep him on the torture oil uncertainty
and suspense, General HarTison's early death
left Mr.. TYLER three wears and eleven months
three whole years and eleven whole months
WHY. in all conscience, should not that go Tor
term Ii lacks but a month. Mr.. Clay, who
is fond of compromises, would gladly compro-
mise for three wears and eleven months But
then. again, dors not the one term principle re-
quire the honor of popular election to the
Presidency Is il satisfied, by mere success
sion from the Vice Presidency, whether Tor
shorter OF a longer time7 These were knotty
points; and surely the meditations OF Ashland
were never more perplexed than with the I'M
certanties which hung about these "ihree years
and eleven monhs!" this is what we call, at
our chancery courts, by pos-but is it one term
In this state of things Mr.. Clay came TO
Washington, in May of lS4l ; and he had not
been here ten days, before seeds were sowD, the
biuer fruits of which the country has since
tasted. Mr. Clay could gel no Satisfaction
upon the subject Of The one term principie-s'IlI
less could he see any certainty that this ADM.
ni,,raion would be conducted nth leading
riep 10 his future eierafion. THIS is the true
solution of the conduct adopted by him at the
extra session, and steadily pursued TO the pre-
sent moment He would not have quaueed
with the President about a Bank, If all had been
well in regard to the prospects OF the succession.
No. not for an instant II he had been assured
that the present incumbent would not have been
in his way in 1914, and thar, in the mean time,
the path would become smoolbed for his ascent
TO the Presidency, is there any man who sup
poses he would have made II great point OF
difference with the President, that ia the plan Of
a Bank the States should have voice about
branches No man can believe any such thing.