The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-07-02
MR.. CLAY'S DECLARATION OF WAR
AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION.

1850 =
On retiring from the Senate, MIR. Clay issued his
declaration of war against the President and the
Administration.
The Manifesto took tho shape Of letter to GER
tain Wings in North Carolina. This mode Of COM
mencing hostilites was arranged of course between
the head Of the beligerant party and the late retir
ing Secretary Of the Navy, with the aid perhaps, Of
friend or two from the State in Congress. ~
We confess, with ali sincerity and truth, that
that letter with pleasure. Knowing for certainty
that the President and every person in any way
nectsd with his Administration, and every member
Of Congress evincing inclination to give II de-
cent and reasonable support had become already an
object Of MIR. Clays impacable hate, had desired
nothing moro than to the time when we might
pronounce this truth, without appearing TO provoke
that hostility, Of the real and actual existence Of
which we were well assured, and Of which we had
now manifest proofs Mr. Clay then went into or
position openly avowed, with talents which no one
denies, with feelings of personal ambition exaspe-
rated to the keenes degree, by many, and especially
by recent dissppointments and with objects resem-
bling the heights Of tho Andes or the Hmalaya
tains, clear and dstinctly to the sight, but utterly
and forever unattainable
BY all his talk Of retirement, and the solace Of pri-
vacy, and the repose which age may require from
care and toll, Mr. Clay meant more, than that he
had then resolved to transfer his personal labors
from field TO another; and leaving the duties of
member Of Congress, then full of the most perplex
ing endorsements for man in his condition, in
other hands, whose conduct he might contrsl while
he yet should parake in their responsibilities he
determined TO carry on the war, not only by means
Of letters, answers to invitations, dinner speeches
&C., &C., &c. but by completing as soon as possible
and to the fullest extent possible such efficient
binatons among psrtisans, should be esteemed
most likely 10 advance his own purposes, by thwart-
ing the Administration Of the Government, bringing
into dsrepute, and keeping the country in its then
state Of distress, hiding, meantime the hand that
was chiefly powerful in the production of mischief
We knew we should Developments not
unmportant; that should see what portion of the
People Of this country would be content TO make
eectual efforts for its relief from its embarrassment
and Distress preferring rather to endure every posi-
BILE public evil for three years longer if thereby any
chance might be afforded of the qualification of Mr.
Gays ambition.
The result was that the Clay party was routed in
four-6flhs of the States
In one most important aspect, MIR. CIay's MANI
festo proved Of the greatest advantage to the Ad-
miuistration. 1t showed who was the chief and bit
tsrest enemy of that Administration, and who was
10 lead the forces which were to make Ewar upon
il. 1t placed Mr.. Clay, and his election to the
Prssidepcy in direct, fu-faced opposition to all de-
cent support Of the measures of the Administration
Il cleared the course Of thousand collateral qucs
tons, and brought broad issue, ard one only be-
fore the people; and that was, whether the country
should be relieved, by giving fair support to the
measures recommended by the Administration, or
y,si~ed, for the purpose Of making Mr. Clay Presi-
dent three years ajf<rresrds.
II has no, been ruined, and hence MIR. Clay can
stand no chance of success.