The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-09
A CONTRAST.

and West, from the Globe downwards, are teem-
ing with yituperaton and malevolence towards
Mr.. Clay, disappearing his words and actions,
and charging him with everything dishonest and
dishonorabe, it is gratifying to listen to the voice
Of one unbiased by favor, affection, or prejudice
Of any kind, for or against the man.
The Charleston Courier, strictly neutral pa
per. which has at tines however, been opposed
to Mr.. Clay, thus nobly and magnanimously
speaks of him, and pays just tribute to his pa
triotism and pre- eminent abilities and public SER
vices. As it is the voice of an unprejudiced, inn
partial individual, SO will it be the judgment OF
posterity:
"VIsIT OF Mr.. CLAY TO CHARLEsToN.--To-
morrow will be sgnallsed by the first visit of Mr..
Clay to our city. Having had occasion to visit
New Orleans on business, the earnest solicitation
of his friends, anxious to pay him the homage Of
personal respect and hospitable attention, has in
duced him to return homewards by way of the
Southern Atlantic States, and to sojourn for brief
intervals in the chief cities and towns on his route.
In the various places through which he has sue
cessively passed he has been received with dis
tnguished honors, and been welcomed in man
ner worthy of the generous hearts of the sunny
South, party spirit hushing its anmosities for the
time, and political opponents uniting with potl-
cal and personal friends TO do honor and hosp-
iality to the illustrious statesman of the West.
Tomorrow he will come among US, by the inv-
ation of his friends, and we cannot err in the
confident reliance that Charleston will not be be-
hind her ester cities Of the South in giving him,
without distinction of party, hearty welcome
and warm reception. To the distinguished and
avorite son of our own State, on his way to
mi inn IN
called by the unanimous voice of his country, she
recently presented, in generous disregard of party
differences, an undivided and unstinted homage,
md it will be but in keeping with her high char
lcter and time-h onored hospitality to award a
like reception to the illustrious stranger who will
tomorrow, for the first time, claim the kindly
shelter of her walls and make the personal &C
luaintance of her citizns. 1t should be at once
our pride and pleasure to yield to the great COM
noner of Kentucky, coming from the far West to
challenge the courtesies of the generous South
such welcome as will make him feel that, al
hough distant from home, he is yet on the soil Of
his country, in the midst of fellow citizens, and
surrounded by brethren of one political family.
"Ihat MIR. Clay is one of the great men OF the
Union-one of the foremost citizens of our great
republics conceded by all. For long series
of years he has borne the most conspicuos and
important part on the theatre of our national af-
fairs; and he has contributed largely, by his
character, counsels, and services, at home and
abroad, to illustrate the fame and promote the
welfare Of our country. Eminent in oratory and
craftsmanship, repeatedly dignifed with high and
responsible office, his whole career, from its early
lawn to its meridian height, has been one of use
fulness and honor and his enlightened and liberal
patriotism has ever been such as to establish his
claim to the gratitude and admiration of his whole
country. Whether we recall his trumpet-tongue,
rousing his countrymen to war for national rights
and national honor--his sage counsels negotiating
an honorable peace-his wisdom and moderation
compromising the Missouri and Tariff questions,
which BODIED civil war and disruption of the
Union, until he poured oil on the troubled waters
and Gained them into peace-we recognize in
him the American patriot, rising above the infu-
ences Of sectional or party feeling, and making
the welfare and harmony of his whole country the
first duty of his heart, as it is the GROWING glory
Of his life. In doing honor to one SO lofty in char
acter SO gifted with genius, SO pure in patriot
ism, SO ilustrous in public service, Charleston
will do honor to herself.''