Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-05-02

4
the administration relied, to lead the
way in the councils of the nation, and re-
pei the assaults with which treason had
beset It, and the journals ofCongress and
the debates of that perilous period, afford
proud and enduring monument Of the
zeal and ability with which he performed
that duty. No temporiziag or half way
policy marked his conduct OF this occa>
,ion-his dauntless and undismayed spir>
it rose 10 proportion 10 the emergency OF
the occasion, and when disasters befei
our arms, and clouds of adversely lower
ed over US. When weakened by inter-
nal divisions and threatened with resis-
fence TO the constituted 9uthoriiies-ihe
thunders OF his patriotic eloquence were
echoed from the walls of the capita and
reverberaied 10 the renlofest corners of
his COMMUNICATING ard turning back
the tide Of moral treason with which we
were beset and cheering the hearts, and
encouraging the hands Of his ccuntrymen
TO the performance of their duty. Such
was the course and conduct Of Mr.. CLAW
on that occasion and i'm relation to eve
ry other question of importance 10 the
interests cf the country. that has agitated
the councils Of the nation, we find Mr..
Clay taking the same bold and unequivo.
cal postions-unfolding, by the strength
and penetration OF IA matured judgement
the true interests of his country, and en-
forcing his views by the resist!ess force
and power of his eloquence. From 1905
his attention has been directed to the
great questions of the encouragement and
protection of The labor aud industry of
our country against foreign competition.
believing it to be the only source of IA
iional wealth, happiness and independ
ence. The untiring zeal with which his
energies have been directed to this OBJ
ject, constitutes highly interesting por.
ton of our country's history IN its pro-
gress towards settled system Of national
policy. Throughout his long and bril-
liant course in public life, embracing a
period of forty years, he has taken a
prominent and decided part in every i'm
portant question connected with the inte-
rests and character of his country, at
home and abroad-and though it would
be presumptuous TO say he has not erred,
we confidently challenge his biterest re-
v,ler to show single instance in which
his conduct has been characterized as
selfish, mercenary, or in any way un-
worthy bold, magnanimous and far
sighted statesman and friend to his coun.
try. His opposition 10 men or TO meas
ures. though always ardent, has as uni
formly been open, manly and generous,
aud has borne the evidences of sincerity,
and a deep and thorough conviction of the
correctness of his positions. Nothing
bearing the semblance of party, intrigue,
insincerity of profession, or lack Of fidel-
iiy, can attach to his character, or tarnish
his fame. They are the antipodes Of his
very nature; and his course, approved
by Judgment, has been illustrated by prac- |
iice and confirmed by habil-and it is a
fact worthy of special notice that the
opinions which he entertained on every !
important question of national policy in
1920, and when every democrat in the |
nation was proud to hail him as tne cham !
pion of their principles, are the opinions
which he has since steadily advoc ated !
and sill maintains
Such are the grounds upon which the
friends of Henry Clay rest his pretentions
to the Presidency, and it is in this view of
his character, his principles, his faithful
and well-tried fidelity, that every honest
republican will rally to his support.
But how stands the case with Mr.. Van
Buren,? Where will his friends point US
for the practical evidences of that de-
mecracy Of which he has made SO large
and noisy professions Where shall we
look for the proofs of his statesman-llke
sagacity, his patriotism and devotion 10
bis countrys interests in peace or in per-
il: or his regard for the interests or the
wishes oc the people? We fearlessly
answer aud challenge refutation, that they
are only to be found in his olt-trumpeted &
empty professions. There is not even
single measure ofnational or state policy
with which he stands identified III a way
that would do honor to the humblesl
member of Congress or Of any state Lee
a., bo TTciou