The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-11-06
TO THE CLAY CLUBS OF THE UNION.

eieCtioh. DisClPIluc dlole Can cope Will uiSClP-
line. The same drilled corps of Office holders
whom you met and signally routed in the last
campaign is again in arms. In vain does por-
ton Of your opponents disclaim their alliance -
never doubt that they will be ready enough to
profit by it when the period of conflict is at
hand. Even were it otherwise, what difference
can it make to us how our adversaries are mar
shalled or in what manner they take up their
position in the field 1t is sufficient that we see
what is their present order of battle. In the
centre are the forces Of the Northern man with
Southern principles; the wings are occupied
with South Carolina chivalry on the one side,
and subterranean democracy on the other; while
sneaking in the rear, or acting as scouts and
outriders, are found John Tyler and his minions
of Office. These, whatever form they may ulti-
mately assume, are the adversaries whom we
have to encounter, and zoe know their strength
Experience and reflection convince us, that we
do not overrate the importance Of the Clay
Clubs, nor the responsibility which attaches to
them in the approaching contest. They consti-
tute the Wig Magnetic Telegraph: TO whatever
point of which the political battery is applied,
whether at the centre or the extremities. the
response is felt alike throughout the whole ex-
tent of the Union. To animate them to exer-
ton, they have only to recall to mind period
of some twelve years prior to the election Of
Gen. Harrison, when the mad will Of one man,
and the foolish efforts of parasite to follow in
his footsteps, brought such fatal disasters upon
~, han ~,
the Treasury plundered, and the integrity Of the
Union itself endangered to remember the effort
it cost them to throw off the rule which, by
shameless system of rewards and punishments,
had been, as its authors vainly supposed, perma-
nently fastened upon the people--and then to
consider, that to the same contest they are sum-
moned anew /; and, in all probability, against the
same leader, who has not yet measured the
whole distance trodden by his !" illustrious pre-
decessor." The Wings interrupted him in the
midst of his journey, and broke the charm Of the
power that sustained him; but, alas they have
not reaped the full frltion Of their toll. Hardly
was their arduous task accomplished, when he
who, under God and the Constitution, was the
chosen instrument to effect so much promised
good, was smitten by the hand Of death. What
followed is too painful and humiliating for COM
ment. Let us turn then, from the contempla-
ton of the past and the present, to the future.
Again is the opportunity drawing nigh when
the Wing party, who, for nearly sixteen years,
have been shut out from all direction in the
affairs OF Government, may assert and enforce
their just rights; and with what leader, with
what unanimity and determination have they
entered upon this contest! How inspriting is the
prospect which is opened-how ample the re-
ward held out for patience and long suffering
Never did party, in any time or country, strug-
gle for success under nobler and happier auspices
than now smile upon the Wings but this sue
cess cannot be lightly attained. Again must we
appeal to the people in their primary assemblies !;
again must we oppose reason to reason, system
to SYSTEM and, if need be, cunning to cunning
Bring out then the armor of 1910; let the rust
and tarnish which it has accumulated during
this reign of treachery, under that general
apathy" with which we have been tainted give
place to the polish of that general vigor whose
strength and keenness our opponents have been
compelled to acknowledge. Wipe off the dust
from the insignia Of your State, county, and vii
lage associations. Unroll the banners of the
Clay Clubs.
Il, ------f for we were 10th
Their silken folds should feast the moth'