The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-08-26
ESSAY NO. V.-[RrpupLIcArios.l
MR.. CLAY AND THE PRESIDENCY.

From a very early period Of his political career,
Mr.. Clay seems to have fixed his eye the Presi-
dental chair as the goal which he desired, and
pected ultimately to attain. Some men have been
found sufficiently unpretending and patriotic as to
rest satisfied with the good which their talents and
energies could effect in the situation TO which they
may have been elevated by the spontaneous choice Of
the People, without raising their aspirations any
hgber-others have thought not of the Presidency
until the gradual progression Of promotion and vide
~ disseminated popularity have almost placed il
within their grasp when the expectation Of being
elevated - the highest office in the gift Of the People
creation Of their selfish ambition. Not so Mr.. Clay
When yet The year, he numbered were barely sufi-
eent T. qualify him for seat IN the Senate Of the
Unttd Sta e., aud be could, almost without suspi-
oion pretend TO the innocence Of a novice in poti-
80 ,s-e .'si, snVu.n 49,, iv,'s
vista OF party turmoil aud revolution before him. and
ntently scanned the whole scene, that he might DIS
cover turn all the ioriuosites and difficulties Of
the path which led 10 the coveted prize bryoni.-
To attain II, every faculty, every energy has been
nerved every plan and every scheme has been en-
ployed, TAN the age Of 70 has overakeu HMM vain
lie has figured among statesmen in originating and
supporting measures deeply affecting the interests
Of the county, she,her for veal or for wo--it
was with expectation Of the Presidency lie ha.
figured among partisan. and intrigued among po-
li,icians--h was with expectation Of The Presi-
dency IIe has poured hs agsn, strains Of delbors-
tive elosuenoe Ia the Capliol-ii was with expec-
tation OF the Presidency Tie speechhed At dinner.
and On the aump--it vas with expectation Of the
Presidency. he has promulgated opinions and con
demnsd thsm--he has joined parties and foraker
msm.-hs hs. supported friend. and abandoned them
1T 80. all ~ith expectation Of the Presidency
And every change of political opinou'i In himself
AMID every rssolution ~ psrty-~hsther he was Re
preventative, ssnstof, Commissioner IN foreign
country, or quilted be- popular position to become
Secretary Il STATE, be ns'sr o., sight Of the one
greai obisst--ths Presidency A. h. thought
h. srrs cement. asds NJ. forces prepared, and the
piao of esmpsign sompls,s he entered he hsld and
hs va defeated Again dsissisd In open wsrfsr,
be- srpsrsnosd IN i-Js ne sdaitiousl dsgrsdstion
aud disappointment q being rsjseisd BY hs own
fisnds. Nexsd md hsrssssd b, rs.lsrston Of de-
feat ~tsrs ,, 3D. hs nawi rphsa By n. owu dss-
psfat,on sni Ne rsekisssnss. 81 fs~ de.psrsts
hisnd., b. sassu 90 mose.iy % rs,rsmsut, whils
be promisss ini.rseiy fsasssl q ne contest
Directly, hs pruuiisss sush thins bui u ~ moe,
bod psssishnsss 81 frusffslsd susitirn % su net
quote 81 % ed flmilsf sdags hs assais psr.oa.
ally vel po.tiesiy. ots sho.s pasil.oa hs co
viss lepgss b. hss, b, iaus r.ssfis. ~ b. owa -
pirsiioas psr.usdsd h.u--n thsi NJ shoad b. 49,.
himself nui shsrs hs uau Az sssfy sir,ssis
hs sinking f.fthsf 80 fsftksf iso- ths atj..s h.
ws.hs. b. FrssP Az ~ ksp.s a 80 rrr..ssnsy
brighter ~ ma.i ssrrsius fsais rsnnoi e1sf-
lsuily msks ~ ss.srtiss. w. be- usi ~ paaisi-
meat rhsh ususlig sesu.. saa.isai ts.os ~ =,
uig-s TIE ssicilstiart 81 ~ sunoa.s hsss A..
esi'sd ben. sni ~ f.stssf .irsm o. fr.-.ts.s,
than srsf
Yss, fsrthsf no sssr We A. tstrsssf ~
President asa declares tias.H 70 hrar sfa.Ns.
uona nsus coatrafy e. fts frsisssiu. n 10 psrtf
IN leo. and 20 fsr saerssi-t j, A. psraiy - e. Il.
isin me leadership = a. We Fsag siis4 a. 90
toes 49,, o. up 30 that lsriad a. Nts psrtJ hsit
ninstssn Z Ne siatss - tesiisd asisfas-, uassr