The Arkansas banner., 1844-07-10


 of common courtesy and claim prominent position in the columns of that paper But was much astonished to find 1t buried deep downmin the monotonous and unexplored deptHbf that vassal sheet, among the preg- nant evidences of hamilton, fog and moon- shine of the second page, at the misty base of the last column. This was the handiwork, not of the editor, am happy to say, but ot the incomparable publisher, who tore 1t from the head of his columns, where it had been properly inserted, and located 1t ill the drear l and repulsive obscurity of his pages. Buta moments reflection was sufficient to abate much of my astonishment, for upon recoliec- ton it occurred to ne that the publisher afore- said had been elevated to the chair of the chief executive of this city, and in addition thereto, was for the period of ten hours sub-overseer of our roads and highways; hence, the exploit to which have adverted, 1 instead of being source of astonlsment, was both natural and obvious, as being in exact keeping with the elevated magnanimlty of his soul, and precisely corresponding with the level of his station and ambition. My atten- ton was called 10 the lowly grave of the no- tce in question by the observation ot cu- rious antiquarian, whose adventures among the tombs of the past and the sleeping soIi- tudes of the Telegraph are equalled only by the startling explorations of Mungo Park in the far of climes of Asia, or the more recent and extensive travels of Ledyard or a Lam der among the hyperborean snows or the arid sands of an African equator What the motives of the publisher were, is not for me ] to conjecture; they are too obvious to escape observation, and too malevolent to avoid the malediction of his political opponents, or the condemnation of his friends.
 In pursuance of the report which rumor cir culated, the citizens convened on Saturday, the 22d instant, in large and respectable num- l bers, and were addressed by Col Ashley, for l the space of two hours, in a strain of elo quence, beauty and argumentative power that l has seldom been my good fortune to witness. l No cant, no empty Reclamation, no abusive 1 denuncation nor gross and maleYolent per sonalities characterized his speech; butclear, permanent, powerful and persuasive argu- mentation. It had it's eaect-the heart was improved, the feelings elevated, and the un- understanding instructed. The tariff was stripped of its protective foliage and hewn down to it's proper revenue dimensions; the bank passed under review, its deformities ex- posed, it's undue tendencies delineated, and it's inexpediency, as a fiscal agent, incontroYerti- bly, established; the distribution actand bank upt law met with critical notice and argu- nentatve condemnation that were caustie, convincing and overwhelming; and last of l all, the Texas question was taken up and i handled in masterIy and irresistible manner. But 1t is not my intention to review speech pronounced by member of twenty-three t Congresses to be the best he had ever heard fall from the lips of an Arkansian; my prin- cipal object being the conduct of the whigs as regard their intercourse with the democrat ic party.
 When Bumor spread the intelligence that Col Ashley would speak on the 22d inst, the turbid waters of whiggery were moved with uncommon commotion. Caucusses of hun- gry expeetants and servle partisans, in divers places and at divers times, were seen Ill low and indistinct communication and commit non. The suppression of the democratic notice, the contemplated reorganization of the long defimct Clay club, and the importa- lion of quasi Texan league-landholder to support the crumbling pillars of southern Whiggery, were the proximate and successive stages of the greatp political drama. The crisis eame-Col. Ashley spoke and started from the stand--the Ex-Texas-Gongressm club President called the meeting to order, | organized the club, and sat down in the chair and habiliments of his office and dignity;- Whereupon Gen. Mercer rose, took up the argument of the Colonel, and explored the | bo1o rrr1,,,J rf Ioba4o IIt- cpoocb one of courtesy and kindness-he concluded, the club dissolved, and the meeting broke up without extending an invitation 10 the demo- crats to respond to the General. The meet ing was a democratic one, and before H ad- jouRed, the club was called from sleep of months into a momentary eXistence-the rules of whose organization preclude the pos sibility of response and shield the Clay club speaker from reply and refutation. These are the facts, the deductions are easy and plain. Why organize club whose rules of govern- ment exclude an opinion not congeaial to the meridian of its locality, when an open and manly response to the Colonel would have effected every fair end to be obtained under the circumstances Let the club answer. Col. Ashley and the democratic party found themselves excluded from all participation in the closing proceedings of that day, and Gen. Mercer, doubtless, did not fail to discover that he was shielded from exposure by the protective agis of the Washington Clay club. The old General worked like Cyclops un- der the expansive and patronizing shadow of whig organization, and by his zeal in the cause, amply repaid the club for its providen- i tal forecast and arrangement.
 In this peculiar club arrangement we dis cover the proud magnanimity and lofty ele- vation of political purpose so preeminently characteristic of the great champion of mod ern whiggery. Can the noble Clay but ad- mlre the conduct of his supple vassals in this particular In point of magnitude and sub limity, it is only equalled by the brilliant achievement 1.-the famous compromise, when the gallant Clay bore the banner of Union