The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-08-22
MR.. CLAY
ESSAY No. H-IREruBLIclrlON,

a ""s PNfSiei 'oP'~
during The last election.
Whether such practical innovation upon the ac-
tual working Of the Constitution would be wise
whether il would not be likely to create more evils
than it would cure; whether II would not dange'
rousy enfeeble the Executive for the time being
whether it would not multiply cand dates for the
Presidency, geometricaly, as chances should be in
creased, automatically; whether, IN short the sue
cess OF such opinion would not tend TO keep the
country always unsettled and uncertain, IN It's admin
lsraton of affairs, questions too great and mpor
tant be now discussed. MIR. Clay did not enter,
early into this notion. He did come into IT, how
ever, aud made it part of his Wing platform, at the
Hanover dinner. Mr. Clay by The way is always
laying down platforms; and in al and AZ his poti-
cal carpentry seemed to content itself with Platforms
without any attempt to raise a superstructure. He
| seemed 10 think that good plan, large and COM
prehensiye theory, not only something, but every
thing. What measure did he attempt to accomplish
by his majority in the last Congress, for the relief
the country not one, not one. He kept himself
within the generalities, Probabilities, small econo-
mics, and other popular topics of prac cal DISCUSSION
and defamation. As TO measures, he essayed no.
thing. AS to acts he did nothing. Such things were
not within the scope Of his policy; which policy was,
clearly and evidently, that the county not 10 be
relieved for three years Afterwards But, returning to
the subject of the one term prneple"--lt
is certainly true, that although not It's early
advocate, Mr. Clay did become greatly at.
| tached to it, after the result IF the Harrisburg
Contention He then became satisfied, from his long
experience, that the one term principle essential
to the salvation of the Republic. He wondered how
such an suspicious change in the practice Of the Co
vernment had not struck his clear and comprehensive
mind in the times Of Mr.. Adams. He could not ac
count for the obcuraton of his sagacty at that day
1t is true that he is older than in the days OF
Mr. Adams. IL is tue, he may not feel that he has
strength enough remaining 10 CRAFTY his patriot
ism by laborng for his country for more than four
years. beginning at the point, which now looms
amidst the miss Of future time till it seems already
10 be just at hand the first Of March, ISl5. 1t j,
true, that when hat glorious day shall arrive he will
be somewhat advanced in life and none the younger
for that curious quasi statement of his own age
which be put forth in his last speech in the Senate
lie went to Kentucky fortysevep years ago it seems,
not exactly g an orphan not come TO his ma 0riy,p
but as an orphan not come 10 his majority" Re
ally, MIR. Cay's years have been SO fortunate and
happy, that it would appear more than common
gratitude oProvidence to acknowledge the whole of
them
But we stray from our intended path General
Harrisons death raised new question: under the one
term principle. He died one month after his inaugu-
ration and was succeeded by Mr. Tyler. Now arose
the inquiry Did Mr.. Tyler oiuin the one term
principle ?" He had almost whole term to serve
but not quite. If General Harrison had lived three
years, or two Yeas, or even year. the matter
might have been clear The remainder, in that case
could hardly be regarded as term But as if the
faies designed TO perplex Mr.. Clay and keep him on
the torture of uncertainty and suspense, Gen. Harr
sons early death left Mr. Tyler three years and eleven
months-three whole years and eleven whole months I,
why in all consc ence, should not that go for term
1t lacks but month. Mr.. Clay, who is fond Of com
promises, would gladly compromise for three years
and eleven months. But them again, does not the
one term principle require the honor Of a popular
election TO the Presidency Is it satisfied by mere
! succession from the Vice Presidency whether for a
shorter or longer time? These were knotty points;
and surely the meditations Of Ashland were never
more perplexed than with the uncertainties which
hung about these /" three years and eleven months ~
This is what we call, at chancery courts 5y pos
but is it one term
10 this state of things Mr.. Clay came TO Washing
ton, in May of lS4l; and he had no, been here ten
days, before seeds were sown, the bitter fruits of
which the country has since tasted Mr.. CLau could
get no Satisfaction upon the subject Of the one term prin-
oPle-stl less could he any certainty that this
Administration would be conducted Nth a leading
rico TO his future esra.iOn. This is the true solution
of the conduct adopted by him a, the extra session.
and steadily pursued to the present moment He
would not have quarreed with the President about,
a Bank, If all had been well in regard TO the pros
poets of the succession. No, not for an instant II
he had been assured that the present incumbent
would not have been in his way in 1874 and that in
the mean time, the path would become smoothed for
his ascent to the Presidency, is there any man who
supposes he would have made il great point Of diff
ference with the President tina, in the plan of a
Bank the States should have voice about branches
No man can believe any such thing Mr. Clay, in
such juncture, would have had immediate recourse
TO his sovereign remedy Of compromise he would
have enlarged on the respect due 10 constitutional
scrupes would have said that he had once entertain
ed such ,cruples himself which made him more chart
table and indulgent 10 others who still entertained
them would have preached Cancellation, and de-
precated dsunion; would have wcpt (for he can
weep) at the very idea OF severance between the
President and the Wings Of Congress, for any such
cause as that; AID by vigorous lead, and those
efforts at rslying, of which he is capable, would
have carried constitutional bill ,riumphantly
through 10th houses Of Congress We state this a.
our clear opinion, our most sincere belief and we
put IT to the conscience of every candid man. If it be
not his conviction also.
Is there man who was in either House of Con.
gress, who doubts that MIR Clay would have support
ed some constitutional currency bill, carried il