The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-09-07
MR.. CLAY.

popular topic during the last election.
Whether such 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 At would
not dangerously enleeble the Executive Tor the
time being; whether it would not multiply can
didates for the Presidency, geometrlcaly, 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 aud uncertain, in its administration OF
affairs, are questions too great and important 10
he now discussed Mr. Clay did not enter,
early. into this notion. He did come into IT.,
however, and made ii a part of his Wing plat
form at the Hanover dinner MIR. 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 at
tempt to raise superstructure. He seemed 10
think that good plan, large and comprehen-
siye theory, was not only something, but every
rhino. What measure did he attempt to ac-
complish, by his majority in the last Congress,
for the relief of the country not one, not one
He kept himself within generallles, rlausibii-
ties. small economies, and other popular topics
of practicaI discussion and defamation. As to
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, that the country was mol 10 De
reiieued for three years afterwards. But, re-
turning to the subject of the 6 one term pEinci
plen-it is certainly true, that although not lis
early advocate, Mr. Clay did become greatly at
,ached to it, after heresuA Of the Harrisburg
Convention. 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 ausplcous change III
the practice of the Government had not struck
his clear and comprehensive mind in the times
of Mr. Adams. He could not account for the
observation of his sagacity, at that day 1t Is
true, that he is older now than in the days OF Mr.
Adams. |, is true, he may not feel that he has
strength enough remaining TO gratliy his Pa'ri-
otism by laboring for his county for more than
four years, beginning at the point, which even
now. looms amidst the miss OF future time, TIL
il seems already TO be just at hand, The hrst Of
March, 1916. Ii is true, that when that glorious
day shall arrive he will be somewhat advanced
in life, and none the younger for that curious
quasi sa ement Of his own age, which he pu
forth in his last speech 10 the Senate he went
to Kentucky forty-seven years ago, II seems
not exactly san orphan not come 10 his MAORI
~" but g as an orphan not come 10 his MAORI
ty." Really, Mr.. Clay's years have been so ior-
,unate and happy, that it would appear no more
than common gratitude TO Providence to &C
knowledge the whole of them.
But we stray from our intended path. Gen.
Harri on's death raised new question, under
the one term principle. He died one month
after bis Inauguration, aud was succeeded
bv Mr.. TYLER. Now arose the inquiry, "Did
Mr.. Tvler come riHi1 the one term princi-
Dle?n He had almost one whole term 10 serve,
but not quite. If General Harrison had lived
three years, or two years, or even one year, the
matter might have been clear The remainder,
in that case, could hardly be regarded as a term
But, as if the fates designed 10 perpltx MI
Clay, and keep him on the torture OF uncertainty
and suspense, General Harrison's early death
left Mr.. TYLER three wears and eleven months
Whv in all conscience, should not that go for a
term 1t lacks but a month. Mr.. Clay, who
is fond of compromises, would gladly compro-
mise for three years and eleven months. But
then, again, does not the one term principle re-
qure the honor of a popular election to the
Presidency Is it satisfied, by mere success
sion from the Vice Presidency, whether for
shorter or a longer tine7 These were knotty
points and surely the meditations of Ashland
were never more perpexed than with the un-
certaintes which hung about these "three years
and eleven months" 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 ls41 and he had not
been here ten days, before seeds were sown, the
bitter fruits of which the country has since
tasted Mr.. Clay could gel no satisfaction
upon the subject Of the one term principte-srilI
less could he see any certainty that this Admi-
nistraton would be conducted Nth a leading
uiep TO his future elevation. This is the true
solution of the conduct adopted by him at the
extra session, and steadily pursued to the pre-
cent moment He would not have quareled
with the President about Bank, if all bad been
well in regard to the prospects OF the succession.
No not for an instant. If he had been assured
that the present incumbent would not have been
in his way in 1874 and thai in the mean time,
the path would become smoothed for his ascent
to the Presidency, is there any who sup
poses he would have made it great point of
difference with the President hat ia the plan Of
IL
branches No man can believe any such thing.
Mr. Clay, in such juncture, would have had
immediate recourse TO his sovereign remedy of
compromise he would have enlarg, d on the re-
.pect due TO constitutional scrupes, would have
said that he had once entertained such scruples
,ch IL, chnri bic and