The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-10-24
MA. CLAY.
By ma. wEpsTER-IN 1872.

II
Clay seems to have fixed his eye on the Presidential
chair as ihe goal which ne desired and expected ulti-
mately to attain Some men have been found sufficient
B unpretending and patriotic as rest SATISFIED with the
good which theit talents and ererges could effect in the
situation to which they may have been elevated blythe
spontaneous choice OF the people, without raising their
aspirations any hisher-ohers have thought not Of the
Presidency until The gradai progression Of promotion
and widely disseminated popularity have almost placed
it within their grasp when the expectation OF being ele
vaed to the highest office in the gin of the people has
been the suggestion of circumstances not the creation Of
their selfish ambition. Not so Mi Clay?
When the years he numbered were barely Sufficient
10 qualify him for seat in the Senate Of the United
StatOs, and he could almost without suspicion pretend
the innocence ofa novice in political intrigue he
tended his vision through the long vista Of party tur
moi and revolution before him. and nteny scanned the
whole scene that be might discover in turn all the tor
tuoses and difficulties ofthe path which led TO the
eted prize beyond To attain it. every energy has been
uewed; every plan and every scheme has been employ
cd, till the age Of 70 has overtaken HMM vain
He has figured among statesmen in originating and
supporting measures deeply affecting the interests of the
country, whether for veal or for wo was with the
pectalion ot the Presidency.
He has figured among partisans and intrigued among
politicians; was with the expectation of the the Presi
dency.
HIS has poured his ueHt strains 81 deliberative eo-
quence in the Capitol it was with the expectation OF the
Presidency.
He has speeckiffed at dinners and on the stump it
was with the expectation OF the Presidency.
He has promulgated opi1ions and condemned them;
he has Ejoined parties and torsook them-he has sup
ported friends and abandoned them It was all with the
expectation Of the Presidency. Amid every change of
political opinion in himself amid every revolution Of
party-whether he was representative, senator, COM
missioner in foreign country or quilted his popular
position to become Secretary of State he never lost
sight OF the one great objec-be Presidency. As soon
as he thought his arrangements made his forces pre-
pared, and the plan of campaign complete he entered
the field and he was defeated Again defeated in open
warfare be experienced in 1882 the additional degrada
ton and disappointment Of being rejected by his own
friends Vexed and harrassed by reeration OF defeat
where stands he now? Upheld by his own desperation
and the reckessness OF few desperate friends, he effects
the modesy Of retirement while hepromses indirectly
renewal Of the contest.
Directly, he promises no such thing but, in the'mor-
bid peevshness OF frustrated ambition, 1--WE will not
quote an old and familiar adage) he assails PERSONAL
y as wellas politically, one whose position he envies,
because he has by long everes on his own aspirations
persuaded himself hath should be there himself? But
where is he now? At every struggle he is sinking
er and further from the ohecthe wishes to grasp Are
Phis hopes Of the Presidency brighter2
His most sanguine friends cannot confidently make
the assertion!
He has met the punishment which usually attends
constant tissue of intrigue. The calculations Of his
cunning have deceived him, and he is further from the
Presidency than ever.
Yes, further than ever. Wien he betrayed the Presi-
dent and declared himself in favor OF national bank
contrary to the professions Of the party in lsA0 and so
far succeeded inhs perfdy to obtain the leadership
of The Whig party after the vetees-hen or up to that
period, the Whig party held nineteen Of the States by
decided majoriies Under Mr. Clay's lead, and with
his name as the candidate for 1874 in less than two
years. the wings have lost possession of all the States
but five OF SIX This is inconroverli5e, and will not
be denied by any sane Clay man.