Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-04-26
Martin Van Buren, and
Henry CLAW.

Henry Clay.
The following graphic deIinealOn Of
the character of The two individuals
whose names are before the country as
candidates for the Presidential office, is
extracted from the Washington cores
pondence Of the Boston Courier, Read
and then choose between the two:
Marlin Van Buren, is the exponent OF
one party and Henry Clay Of the other
--lhe living oraces Of two failhs. The
diversity OF their characters establishes
The difference Of relation between the
two parties, and can demonstrate the
greater or less evil 20 be apprehended
from the permanent establishment of
either.
The want OF fixed principle tba, dis
Inguishes, moro than any other man,
Marlln Van Bnren, is with him rather
taste than necessity. He might have
been honest and fortunate; sincere and
successful; respected truth and prosper
ed. By inclination, he has dssembIed
from disposition, deceived; and broken
faith, from love Of treachery.
He has acknowledged no motive but
interest; owned no criterion Of talent but
success; has never performed lauda-
BILE action with an honest motive, no:
omitted disgracelul one from honora
BILE rspugnance.
Self has been the sole deity Of his
worship; 10 this he has sacrificed faith
and friends-lhe one without shame, The
other without remorSe. Torturous and
treacherous, he has sought by circuitou'
routes the power to destroy HE allies
gaining mean ends by meaner arts
Fawnng upon power, when he needed
its exercise; abusing friendship. whom
he no longer required its disinIsrested,
ness; disposing Of pledges, Of promiseS
Of principles, and Of party, as If they
were but the cast away counters OF his
game.
Believing in no creed but the pursuit
Of ambition; tolerating no principle bu.
the qualification Of passion; harboring
no thought but self-aggrandizemenl
capable Of every thing but d'nleresled
action he has surmounled the ascent
Of life, without acquiring or deserving a
friend.
The features Of his charactsr-cold
soulless, dark and myslerious-reSem.
BILE the antique mummies Of Egyptian
shores. endued with the IineHmenls with
! out participating in the feelings Of hu-
manly,
His tergivsrsations have been nc
more numerous than lucrative, nor
more hasty than opportunO He has
always awaited tho profitable moment
for treachery, without unamiabe reIuc
tance. RepudiatiDg Madison and eS-
pousing Clinton; deserving Clinton and
euIogising King; ccquStIng at one and
the same time with Crawford, with Ad
ans and with Jackson bOtraying ali
and serving self!
For, 10 every change Of principle OF
party. in all his various intrgues, un
dOrminings and strategy; in success and
in temporary defeat, in every variety Of
circumstance and every shade Of belief
he has been consistent to the sole idea
of his life. In all the vicissitudes oil
fortune, in all bis rapid evoUlions, in
his hearllsss abandonment OF friends in
his unbushing embrace Of enemies, ht
has ever been true 10 himSeD With an
eye that never slept, purpose that new.
er tired, he has steadily advanced TO the
summit oil his fortunes and the moral
depth Of his degradation.
Ever craving for place, ever cringing
10 position, and ever crushing IN power,
no has shown the steallhy properties oI
the ca, and the cowardIy ferociIy Of The
tiger
A friend without faith on enemy with
out honor; his smile iS more fatal than
his (roWn. He caresses without SYM
palhy and abandons without pity, and
means treachery when he PROCESSES
kindness.
To gain his ends, however dishonest,
he has advocated measures, however
, dsreputabe. The principles he has
assumed without sincerity, he repudi-
ates without repugnance, and when no
longer useful they are no longer re-
; Quirsd.
With leader OF such desperate am
bilion and abandoned principles, hn W
much may be feared from party, how
little bO hoped!
Turn from this portrait TO the galIan
leader ofthe NhiGs.
The mind of Clay is bold. indepsn'
dent, decisive; his acliOn energetic an'