The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-11
HE M DISONIAN.
MIR. CLAY.
PRICE OF ADVERTISING.

In his Alexandria letter, Mr.. Clay called the
President "weak, vaclating, faithle SIS Chief
Magistrate !" This was the language OF Henry
Clay, applied to John Tyler! Miserable, mise
rable beyond expression, and impotent as mise
rable, and contemplate as impotent, was such
rbaldry In what was Mr.. Tyler vaclllaling T?
He and Mr. Clay agreed, years ago, that Bank
of the United States was unconstitutional
They took the doctrine from the school in which
they were both bred. Mr. Clay has altered his
opinion; Mr.. Tyler has not altered has; and
vet Mr. Clay lays the charge OF vacilaton upon
Mr.. Tyler! Did Mr.. Clay suppose that such
monstrosilies such inventions Of absurdity
would be swallowed by the People? Did he
suppose that all men had lost their senses, as
well as himself?
Mr.. Clay pronounced MIR. Tyler an ",unfaith-
full Magistra,e'' Unfahful to whom? IN
faithful to what? Was he unfaithful to himself,
to all his own opinions, and the convictions Of
his whole life? Was he unfaithful TO his coun-
try? Has he shrunk at a perlous moment,
from any duty, however responsible, from any
effort, however arduous, to restore the prosperl-
ty, maintain the honor, and promote the best III
teresls of the country? No, no. 1t was be-
cause he was faithful to the country, because
he would not postpone its interests to MI. Clay's
advancement, because he would not be a tool
in Mr. Clays hands, because he could not be
terrified, by the storm which was raised over
his head, that he became an object of so much
hatred Mr.. Clay, anxious 10 be regarded as a
great Wing martyr, told the good People Of
Alexandria, that no one had been honored with
larger share Of Executive enmy than him
self. This was all for effect. Ii was not true
that he had been honored with any enmity
though it was very probable that he was honor
ed by good degree Of scorn and contempt.
Let Mr.. Clay go on /; let him fill every news
paper in the country with his gross denuncia-
lions against the President; let him continue to
set the example of one public man denouncing
another a changeling and traitor hat other
being his coun,ryman, aud once his iriend-let
him ring the changes of such gross imputatons
at every dinner table at which he may sit down
for two years, let him do his b ST or his wor I,
and what will the end be2 He may complete
the ruin Of the Wing party, if that work be not
already finished by him; he may, and he Ger
tainly will, if he can, embarrass the Admins
tralion, diminish It's means of usefulness, al
least for a time, and hatter himself with deceit
ful hopes of The future. But all this will be
vain That promised future will never come.
No, never.
Mr. Clay has now entirely thrown of his dis
guise, drawn his sword set up his standard,
sounded his trumpet and taken the field in open
wer, for sixth and last campaign. "Victory
or death !" 1t may b. well fer the American
People, before they rally under his command
10 make themselves sure Of the precise objects
they expect or desire TO gain by the success Of
such leader. Indeed, we would like TO know
what Growing glory" the great g Harry" him
self anticipates as the final reward Of his last
contest Is it merely the Presidency That
one fond object of twenty-five years Of long de-
ferred hope, which for this quarter Of century
he has regarded with The same admiration as
the Persian looks up 10 the sun, and which, as
it i about sinking from his sight forever, CLEANS
vet brighter and surrounds itself with yet more
gorgeous and golden hues7 Ay, the Pr siden
CIV, the Presidency. And now, suppose ii we"
attaina5le by Mr. Cay-does he think it would
reward him for all the strife and pain and lAbo
of so many years 2 Is he TO find il, what M
one else has found it, balm for every sorrow an'
sure recompense for every toil2 Is it 10 Civ
him permanent and undisputed power? Is
to silence exasperated foes, and surround hin
with disinterested friends ? VIII ii protec
him from assaults without, or the cravings O
more deadly foes withiu2 VIII gid hi, nam
with unsupported purity, or elevate him abov
the reach Of scorn?
1t is no less strange than melancholy to see a
individual now so far advanced towards hi
journeys end still struggling, with more tina
the ardor Of his youth, for bauble by the wa
side, when he should be looking toward anc
Their goal and striving for more lasting reward
Suppose him President, (by means of a coal
ton with the Globe,) and suppose that other
the friends of his youth and friends for thiri
wears, should fall upon him, strike their fang
into him, denounce him false and preacher
ous-reat him, in short, as he treats the preser
incumbent, and with justice, of which there
none in the attacks on Mr. Tyler-would he fin
himself reposing on a bed Of roses
But if even TO Mr. Clay his success IN tn
coming struggle would bring sol little real and sui
santia good, how much less would enure to h
country2
We may form some idea Of the blessings
an Administration of his, from the conduct
the last Congress, which was substantially hi
and governed in most instances by his counsel
Mr.. Clay came TO the extra session of the u
Congress with Wing majorities in both IIous
of Congress lie himself was put at the head
the most important committee Of the Senat
and was known to have been consulted 10 Il