The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-11-20
Mr.. Clay in the Field.

Mr. Clay In lne FIELD.
The annunciation in the Lexington
Observer OF Mr. Clay's intention to ad-
dress public meeting Of the citizens
Of that town, and offer resolutions on
the war, the conquest and annexation
Of Mexico. &c., is too significant a
sign Of the times TO escape the notice
or curiosity Of the politician. The
press has seized upon il at once
Most of the democratic presses re-
gard il as the precursor of his NOM
nation as candidate for the .presi.
dency. The wings do not disclaim
this construction. BY all parties il is
regarded as phenomenon worthy Of
observation. Every one is specula-
ting upon the character Of the speech
he is about to make, and the resolu-
tons which he proposes to submit. :
The Cincinnati Charter says:
A private letter TO the editor Of the
Atlas, from distinguished citizen Of
Lexington, referring to this announce.
ment, says Mr.. Clay's speech will be
"on the Mexican war, its authors and
obiects;" and it adds: Us III
II ,oish all America could hear him.
He will utter the opinions and speak The
feelings Of a salesman, d patriot, and
a Christian"
That his speech will prove strong
declaration against the war, its origin
and objects, there is not the slightest
doubt. HG
We are free to say that we regard
it as significant sign OF his disposi.
ton to enter once more the field Of
ambition, particularly when we take
it in connexion with the previous ar
ticle Of his mouth-piece, the Lexington
"Observer." Mr.. Clay generally en-
ters the lists with trumpeter by his
side. He writes letter, or delivers
a speech, as a sort OF pronuncia-
menio to his purposes. He announces
the character of the war, and gives
the cue to his faithful followers. Such
was the object Of his unfortunate Ra-
leigh letter in the campaign of 1914,
and such is probably the design Of
his present speech. Whether the pride
of the whig party will consent to a.
dopt the oracular revelations OF Ash.
land whether they will submit TO
follow the creed, and to pursue the
course which he intends TO chalk out
for them, is for them to determine.
We wait the developments with pa
tience-certainly not without interest;
because we regard Mr.. Clay as pre-.
pairing the way for the fourth strug.
gle for the presidency. For "a years
has he been striving to mount the
ladder Of ambition. The signs seem
to show that his strongest passion is
not yet extinguished.
Such, too, seems to be the impress
sion Of other observers who live near
err to Ashland. The Lexington Ga.
zette (democraD says that the annun-
citation of the meeting ''may be re-
garded, we think, as Mr.. Clay's first
advance towards another race for the
presidency. The forthcoming speech
will be the cue to the whig party
more particularly the Clay portion Of
tin relation to the ground they are
TO occupy in the forthcoming canvass
upon the political questions glanced at
in the notice, and upon all others
likely to occupy public attention. We
welcome the old courser to the track,
sincerely hoping that his usual luck
may attend him in his next race"
The Frankfort "Yeoman" speaks Of
Mr.. Clay as sin the field" and says
sthe announcement is conclusive to
our mind that Mr.. Clay is determined
10 be a candidate for the presidency
that seeing the want of any bond Of
union for his party at present, he is
about to adopt for them a confession of
faith upon which they are to rally, and
ne is to be the leader. Remember, the
resolutions to be presented by Mr.. Clay
and adopted by his Fayette friends, are
70 embody the views to govern the
great whig party Of the Union; they
will be adopted for the government Of
he party; and to carry them out, who
10 proper as the very man who propo-
es them--the embodiment Of the
,arty and its principles?'- Washing
on Union.