Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-05-02
the SENTINEL
JOHN VAN rossEN. EpIroR.
YPsILANTI, THURSDAY. MAY 2. 1874.
HENRY CLAY AND MARTIN
VAN BUREN-THE CONTRAST.

VAN BUREN-THE CONTRAST.
The past position occupied by these
distinguished individuals, and tine relation
in which they now stand to the people
of the United States, affords lesson Of
instruction in the business Of life and the
affairs Of men, tha. is worthy of the a,;en-
ton Of all, aud if carefully examined
cannot fail to produce, by the force and
power of lis teachings, the most saluiary
effects on the conduct of our public men,
and the interests of our country. The
individuals named at the head Of this ar
licle, have alike risen from humble aud
obscure birth by the strength and ener-
gies of their own characters, until they
have reached the highest points OF dis
,inciion and attained the highest official
honors recognised by this republic-and
this seems to be the only parallel 10 be
found in their lives or characters. il
was the fortune Of these distinguished
men to have commenced their public ca
reer nearly at the same time, aud when
the theory of Our republican plan Of gov
erumsn, was undergoing those tests of
experience that were 10 determine its uti-
ity, its capablity Of being sustained un-
der the emergencies of war and the va
rious contingencies to which all govern
ments are liable
The great and good men of the revo-
luton, had by their bravery and patriot
ism achieved for the citizens of America
liberty and a country, and in their wisdom
had laid the foundation of a government.
on the broad ground oljustice, equality and
regulated liberty. The superstructure
was but partially reared. ltremained
for their successors to complete and es-
tablish what they had begun. and but par
TALLY completed. This was work in
which theories were 10 be tested by prac-
tice, and TO be approved, amended or re-
ieeted, as experience might determine
in the case. In matter so complex and
diversified as the details of plan of civ.
il government, it is no; within the scope
of human wisdom, to devise at once
system free from defect. Experience
aud the varying wants of society, are a.
lone capable of detecting the imperfec-
tions of theories and is it the business of
the patriot and the statesman TO pre-
serve what experience has approved,
and to remedy what it shall have shown
to be defective. We have thus taken a
glance at the field that lay open TO the
labors, aud invited the enterprise of the
subjects of our remarks. The manner in
which they have respectively acquitted
themselves, and their present standing be-
fore the country, remains to be consider
ed. That both posses talents of supe-
rIor order is most abunjently shown, not
only by the distinction they have respect
lively acquired. but by the manner in
which they have acquitted themselves.
Mr.. Clay commenced his public career
as member of the Legislature of Ken
lucky. Mr.. Van Buren, as member of
the Legislature of New York, both hav-
ing been educated in the profession of
the Law. Mr.. Clays first movement
was TO identify himself with the cause of
popular rights, and in the discussion of
nearly every great and important ques-
ton of national policy, since he first filled
a seat 10 the U. S. Senate in 1906, he
has taken leading or prominent part.
While the names of Federalist and Re-
publican or Democrat were acknowl-
edged by the parties that had respectively
arraved themselves under them, Mr..
Clay was unwavering in his support Of
all the leading measures and principles
of the Democratic party, and by that par
ty IVES successfully elected first in 1904
and Is to the Legislature of Kentucky,
and subsequently to the Senate and
House Of Representatives of The. United
States, where, with few short intervals
he confined until March 1912. From
1911 to IA with The exception of the
term 10 which he was engaged in nego-
lialing the treaty Of peace with England
he was elected speaker Of the House of
without interruption. by
the Democratic party. During the stor-
my period of the war, Henry Clay was
the master spirit TO whose hands was
committed the labouring oar and when
the war and the measures necessary TO its
proecutien were assailed by the yindiciive