The Arkansas banner., 1844-07-10
MR. POLK AND MIR. CLAY.

1 tON' Olh tS cltliiAcitIS Aii' Sldy Supciioi i'll every quality and qualification necessary to constitute him useful and successful Presi- i dent ?' Arkansas Gazette.
 Ay neighbor, most fully, freely, and cordially for, indeed, it has long been our own opinion.
 We emphatcally reitcrate that, G in all the qualls
 ties and qualifications, necessary to constitute auseful and successful President, FLAMES K POLK is emi- nently superior to Henry Clay. He is superior to him in intellect--superor to him orator-supe- rior to him as a statesman, Independently of any difference of political opinion and imineasuiably superior to him in regard to that aigefeaceparticu
 ary when the moral qualities of the two men are considered.
 At one period of his life, in point of mere inteee- tual vigor and brilliancyas orator. and particu- larly as declaimer, Mir. Clay was, undoubtedly the superior of Mr. Polk; and, perhaps the equal of any man in the Union. But that he is, now, the equal of Mr. Polk even in these respects, utterly deny and that, too, upon fair comparison of what they have, respectively spoken, written, and done, within the last several years--and upcn the enlightened judgments of those who know both men.
 It is well known that in mind, as in body, MT Clay has fallen into the .ssere and yellow leaf' oi life. And it has been early fall Like other spe- cmens of precocious maturity he has experiencedan early decline and while yet several years within the period often allotted to the vigorous enjoyment of human existence, he presents melancholy in- stance of mental imbecility and deerepitadc. He now speaks; and his friends and admirers, instead of being fired wih enthusiasm, as formerly, are over whelmcd with the mortifying conviction of his weak l ho fro of fhp rOIp Olt--IfS thunder has ceased to reverberate and few scat tered scorin emitting fhul and attcnuated smoke, are all that now remain of this once magnificent phenomenon. As a statesman Mir. Clay, although often brilliant, and occasionally sound in his views, was even in the vigor of his pfime, ever too much of a comet shot madly from his sphere, to be highly honorcd, or securely trusted. And even the phaze of patriotism which he sometimes wore, though brilliant and attractive proved so evane scent and delusyc, to those who accorded 1t admira tien or sought it as guide, to warrant the belief that it had been put on and of, as occasion might require. In contemplating the public character of Mr. Clay, we have hesitated whether to adopt as his emblem, the rainboV cr the gnis fittlats. But reflection induces to discard both, and adopt the comparison suggested by that mastery delineator of human irailty-John Randolph. He ikenel Mr. Clay to s.rotten maekerel which shines and stinls, and stinl,s and shines' fhus was he characterized in his palmiest days and the fidelity of the picture was lpdebly impressed upon the minds ot patriots. Inconsistency, ill regard, alike to the Constitution to men-and to measures has ever marked his course, and left even his friends uncertain whereto find him At one time Republican of the strictest sect con 4l.z most literal and restrictive, and stigmatizing ''va grant powers, all powers sought to be exercised by implication; at another time, Federaist of the deepest dye leaving the Constitution intirely out of sight, and sailing before the wind under the lat
 udinous canvass of '.the general welfare ;" and now To serve the temporary purpose of prurient ambi- tion. he seeks to lay sacrilegious hand upon the integrity of the Constitution itself, and rob 1t of it's richest jewel.
 Of the moral aspect of Mir. Clays character, it is not our purpose 10 speak in detail. Such it is even in outline, it presents sad picture to viruous contemplation. Gifted with natural powers of high order, embracing manners as well as mind, he soon rose to distinction, and has since occupied a most prominent, and influential position among his fellow men. He has lacked but one thing 10 make him great-snd that is a.oral principle. We say he has lacked that because whenever he has been placed iii a situation requiring it's exercise, he has ever been found wanting. Too cunningly sagacious to commit any overt act of crime, which would have attainted him with legal iatany his whole course of life has been thickly fleclled over with those vices which, though beyond the reach of law, indicate equal destitution of principle, equal depfaYity Of heart, equal ytaton of taste, and equal sordid sell fshness with the grossest and grayest violations of the decalogue. His talents have made him eminent; and he has used as stepping stones to office, those tanner spirits, who, in helping him, have hoped to drag themselves onwards by his skirts. In all this, however, he has acted cold and selfish part loving one and loved by none. To prove this, we con fdenlly ask, for whom did he ever make sacrifice of feeling of interest, except under the iron rule of necessity, or for an ample equivalents or where are the friends who ever made sacrifices for him ?- Admiration is accorded to his inteect but respect for his character; and having passed through life unloyng and unoved he has now fallen into the very dotase of political hypoericy,' and will soon die His appropriate epitaph will be Here lies the OLD HuNKER. He lived for himself, and Is un- wept by his countrynen.''
 From such picture, it is truly refreshing to turn to one made up of great qualities, noble virtues, and the most endearing amenities of hnmanity-and this is the smilitude of JAMES K. peIK.
 h mind, without being brilliant, MT. Polk has ever proven fully equal to his occasion and his sub
 feet; and it will be conceded, by all, that he has ridden the storm through some trying scenes, and that he has handled, with the power of master the gravest, most intricate, and important subjects He has been weighed in the balance of some of the highest stations of our country, while yet young man; and he has nessr been foaad wanting. His every duty has been p,rfofne1 with the pro- found sagacity of statesman, and the sincere devo
 ton of patTiot--wth usefulness to his country, and honor to himself. He has never sought, nor accept ed, office from any other source than the people; and he has put high ones aside. when rendered him. from other sources, when he could have accepted, whou, the reproacb upon his coneeience or the stain mon