The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-09-05
MICHIGAN.

A gentleman writing us from Detroit, gives the
following graphic picture OF Locofocosm in Mich
igan. The picture will suit well for other To-
caties as for that of the Lakes
"Items of interest are as scarce here as ideas
in the Madsonian. Little is talked of but poll
tics; and at occasional intervals of leisure, am
enabled to make random observations upon the
contest now pending. The Wings appear to De
animated by spirit they have not evlnced since
1910 since which time there has been no fair
test of the strength of parties in this State. They
then poed, believe, larger vote than has ever
been given by the Locofocos; and if the whole
party can be rallied, there is no doubt as stated
TO you before, OF their success This will re-
quire unweared exertions, as they are opposed
by party whose organization has been unbroken
for years, and from whose means of eectoneer-
ing, decency and proprety shrink with instinct
i've disgust. While the Wings are contending
with the generous ardor of enthusiasm, the Lo-
cofoccs are fighting with the violent frenzy of
desperation. Music, eloquence, and argument,
are the weapons on the one side ; falsehood, sour
rility, and defamation, thpse on the other. The
leaders of the Democratic party are determined
to meet none of the issues involved in the con-
test they say nothing of the services, abilities,
or requirements of Mr.. Polk, and are wholly
silent as to the principles on which he would adj
minister the Government. Abuse-shameful,
degrading, foul .mouthed abuse-of Henry Clay,
forms the staple commodity of all their speeches
and writings. Every epithet that minds familiar
with Images drawn from the brothel and Iazar-
house, can conceive every term, that can be found
IN the vocabulary of calumny, are unhesitatingIy
applied to Mr. Clay, as if in mockery of all the
laws OF reasoning and the rights of decency.
Yet these prudes in public virtue shouted hosan-
mas to the name of Jackson, so long as it was
rd mar nool nj nf tbo - l.
formed by almost every vice from the commence.
ment of his career to the GROWING accident of
his life, the victory OF New Orleans. They have
shamefully held up man as an eptome of all the
virtues, the very elements of whose character,
the principles of whose existence, had their origin
at the gaming table or the race ground. Many
| OF these men, too, who are thrown into such con-
vulsve horror at the immortality of Henry Clay,
were not many years since denouncing the right
to property by inheritance the institution of mar
rage, and the Christian religion, as the Trinity
OF Curses The one was opposed, because it
gives to honest industry and well directed enter
prise just preference over idleness and vaga-
bondism; another, because it imposes salutary
restraints upon the pruriency of the passions
and the third because it abounds in pure pre-
cepts and sublime morality.
:" Such are the men who have now become re-
formists; and in paroxysm of pety, and pie
ttora of patriotism, have taken the public morals
into their especial keeping: and verify, if the
public morals can survive such an embrace, they
can not be endangered hereafter by any extrem-
Ity of peril. One unacquainted with the gyra-
tlons of Locofocoism, might suppose that the i'm
maculate purity of these gentlemen would be
satisfied with the character of Mr.. Frelinghuy-
sen; but he seems to be as Objectionable as Mr..
Clay; and they are equally shocked at the vices
OF the one and the virtues of the other.
There are, however, very many members of
the Democratic party, in this vicinity, who do not
obey the orders of the leaders, and who not only
do their own voting, but their own thinking
These men will not support Mr.. Polk, whose
claims are based solely on his Texas views and
as Mr.. Dallas has been politically distinguished
for nothing but his advocacy of U. s. Bank, con-
sstent Democrats, who wish to preserve their
political integrity, in opposition to Southern die
tation, can hardly be expected to support ticket
with Texas for President, and the u S. Bank for
Vice President.
Man comes into the world with shrek, and
goes out with groan: the Locofoco candidate for
the Presidency was born of the shrek that form.
ed the political requiem of Mr.. Van Buren,, and
will expire with the groan that announces the
final decomposition of the dissecta menabra of his
party. His advent upon the canvass was hailed
with no genuine rejoicing; his departure will be
accompanied with no sincere regret. After the
Presidential election, he will probably disappear
for ever from that stream upon which he has
been floating for time, an unmeaning bubble
How amusingly PROFESSIONALISM rich COM
mentary upon the harmony, or the barrenness, of
party-to make such mere mannikin of man,
such shadow of statesman such phantom of
politician, the competitor of Henry Clay-the
foremost statesman Of the age, who, like Saul,
the son Of kisb, stands head and shoulders
above every other. Cock Robin, or the Hum
ming Bird pitted against the Eagle 1t may
be said of MIR. Clay, that he sprang into being
with the Republic. Born in the midst of the Re-
volution, he was emphaticaly the child of that
freedom which, for nearly fifty years, he has
been the most fearless champion. AS he is the
living embodiment of those principles for which
Washington fought, SO is he the most fit to deve-
lop the resources, direct the energies, and pre-
side over the destinies of that country which
Washington saved. His own declaration, that
truth is omnipotent, and public justice certain,
will soon be proved in his own person. There is
no mlstaking the signs of the times. The death
warrant of Locofocoism is already signed and