New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-10-11
Clay and Polk.

From the date of the nominations at Baltimore,
there would seem to have been settled purpose
on the part of the Loco Focos to eyade and mys.
tify the great questions ut issue in our Pesiden.
tial Election. James L. Polk is supported in
different parts of the Union as thorough Free
T"iader and reliable Protectionist-in South
Carolina expressly the ground that his election
secures the downfall of the Tariff, and in Penn
sylvania by those who assert that they arc zeal
Gus, consistent friends of this very Tariff, and
that Polk is more in favor of Protection than
Clay. So on Annexation: While the whole
weight of the pro.Texas feeling at the South
is brought to bear against Clay and in favor OF
Polk-when we have seen Van Buren, put down.
IN open defiance of Instructions, and Polk put
up because tho latter was unquali6edly in favor
of Immediate Annexation, while Van Buren, in.
sisted only that the prior consent Of Mexico was
essential-there arc men who daily insist that
Mr.. Clay is substantially as much an Annexa-
ZIONIST as Polk! Mr.. Clay more strongly urges
all Mr.. Van Buren's objections and many more
insists that the dissent of any considerable por-
ton of tho States of this Union should be fatal
to the measure-he declares that it must be
effected "ioith0ut ,odr, ,pithout diShonor and
auith the common consent Of the Union, on just
and fair terms" to obtain his concurrence-and
vet MIR. Clay is declared an Annexationist, and
classed with Mr.. Polk on this question! One
thing is certain, that when those on one side of
question insist that they scarcely differ from those
on the other, they know that theirs is the wrong
side.
In the midst Of this confusion of tongues,
Mr.. Clay stands clearly and frankly before the
American People. He is asked what his views
are respecting Annexation. He answers fully:
Again he is asked for farther elucidation Of his
views, and he gives it. A third time, and he is
required to reconcile his advocacy of Annexation
many years since with his opposition TO it now,
and he sets forth the entire revolution of circum-
stances since then. Under the former circum-
stances, Ia says in substance, would accede to
it now, but no, under the present. In all this he
is clear, decided statesmanlike.
But how is it with Mr.. Polk? He says he is
for equal protection, which may mean any
thing, and has long been cant phrase with
those who oppose al Protection. But tell US, MIR.
Polk say the Pennsylvanians, what you con-
slider equal protection. Are you in favor of the
present Tariff If not, how would you have il
changed Let US know about where to find
you'-But that is jus; what he is determined not
to do. Ne answer to these questions can be
drawn from him.
Then on Annexation, Mr.. Polk knows that,
while the Tyler Treaty men all rally around
him, and form his body. guard, there are thou
sands who consider such Annexation atrocious,
vet do not strenaously object to Annexation ii 1t
can be honestly and on fair terms effected. He
ia asked 10 say on ,oAat terms he would welcome
Observation-Disclosures on those OF Iyies's Treaty
or motor to give some idea Of the conditions on
which he would assent to it. But not word OF
explanation on this head can be extracted from
him. He has tso little frankness, too much cum
ming, for this. The letters which reach him on
this subject remain unanswered, since thus only
can those whose consciences revolt at the acqui-
sition OF Texas through perfdy and war, with
her heavy Debt shifted to our shoulders, and her
Slavery TO breed discord in our Union, be H.
duced to support Texas candidate. Both on
the Tariff and on Texas, it is inevitable that a
portion of Mr.. Folks supporters are to be roped
in to the virtual support OF measures they are Ut
terly opposed to- On the other hand, there is
not voter in the Union who has not the means
of knowing exactly where Mr. Clay stands both
ON the Texas and Tariff questions.
Now we arc content that Mr.. Clay should
lose some votes, if such is the alternative, rather