The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-10-09
From Me N. 7. Herald, a neutraI paper.
THE POLITICAL PROSPECT.
EXTRAORDINARY n CRITICAL POSITION OF THE

EXTRAORDINARY AND CRITICAL POSITION OF THE
WIG ARTY.
The interest excited by the pres ent political
conflict is increasing with a degree of intensity
which bids fair to eclipse even that attendant on
the great campaign which resulted in the cleo
ton of Gen. Harrison by ii tremendous majority
A new and most extraordinary character has been
communicated to the wing movements, so that
instead of presenting the calm, united, confident
appearance, which they exhibited in the COM
mencement of the campaign, the whigranks now
turn sh very alarming indications Of scord, per-
plexlty and panic. In fact, the great crisis in
the contest has arrived, and all now awaits with
GREATNESS anxiety the issue, not knowing wha,
the next moment may bring forth.
The speech Of Mr.. Webster at the great whig
meeting on Boston Common has increased I'M
mensurably the CONSERVATION and perplexity UNI
der which the whjg party labor, it not being here
imagined that Mr.. Webster would make a speech
on that occasion. HIS acceptance of the invita-
ton to preside was regarded as an intimation of
his unwilIingncss to address the assembIage in
any fotmal speech. But in the mean time Mr..
Clay had written his celebrated letter on Texas
the great whig leader had shifted his ground-a
panic had visited the wing camp-and Mr.. Web
'ster could not permit the opportunity of turning
10 his own account the new developments to pass
unemployed. Accordingly he sets all the formal
tiles at defiance, and dischargesh his duty as chair
man by making The great speech on the occasion
And what is the character of that speech? 1t is
decidedly and unequivocally and, indeed, we may
add insolently, in opposition TO Mr.. Clay. We
say "insolently," because we can hardly imagine
any conduct which may be more properly char
~acterizcd as "insolent,' Than that Of Mr.. Webster
in this instance, Just let US look at it. Mr..
Clay comes before the people Of the United
States, and declares with all possible emphasis
and sincerity, that he is in favor of annexation,
and would be glad 10 sec it. Mr.. Webster steps
up, and SEEING Mr.. Clay as a sChoolmaster would
a refractory young rascal, and in his own quiet
cool, cutting way, takes the great wing champion
10 task, tells him that he doesn't know what he's
talking about, and grayely informs the assembled
thousands that Mr., Clay is opposed to annexation
and must ever continue opposed to that measure
concluding the whole extraordinary performance
by holding, en- t~errorenl, over Mr.. Clay's head
the threat that as he stands plcdgedto 60 against
Texas, the people of he United States will obligc
him 70 stick TO his word. If this be not insolen
opposition to Mr.. Clay, we do not know what
would constitute such opposition.
The obJecto of Mr.. Webster, in all this, is appar
ent enough-iti is to catch the abolition vote, ant
TO take ground for himselfin 1S48, 1t is equal,
easy TO describe the effects of this movement
Observation-Disclosures rigue--confu
sion--alarm and panic in the wing ranks--mus
be the fruits Of this extraordinary scene on Bos
ton Common. Seldom have we seen a fair ant
promising prospect more suddenly darkened an,
obscured than that of Mr., Clay's chances in th'
t next election. Tomorrow we shall survey III
whole horizon, and see what ground Of hope yo
remains.