The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-20

oHow are the mighty fallen" When Mr.. Clay him.
self stoops employ the vulgar slang Of disappointed
ambition and speaks OF " impeaching" the Chief Magis
trae Of Tie United States for maintaining the honor and
the dignity of his country when Mr. Clay himself forgets
the patriot in the mere politician and swallows his
which he sacrificed beloved to prove its JUS
tce when man like Mr.. Clay can boldly place himself
in such hpmiliating position before the American peo
pie, simply because to him politically sxpedent
confess feel too much shame even to be indignant
feel much pity for the degradation Of the man.
TO indulge in denunciaons even OF the folly of the
statesman.
"Sir," said friend at our side, Yesterday who has
been ardent and devoted admirer of Henry Clay for
lifetime, Sir, have read Mr. CLAWS speech, and
and" tear almost choked his uterance-'' may my
right arm gangrene and drop off If ever again vote
wing tcketw
And this appears to be the universal sentiment II is
sentiment OF disgust, well of dsmay, that who
has been for many years looked upon by his friends
patriot worthy of almost admiration should at his avanc
ed time of life abandon the of his country, and link
his fate with congregation of reckless fanatics in
modern Hartford Convention" Those who feel more for
Mexico than they do for the United Slaesthose who
conceive that in aiding and comforting the enemy, and
encouraging them to welcome volunteers with a
hospiabe grave they acting becomes patriots and
christiansthe !" Tribune" Of New York, the 'sNorth
American of this city, and the Courier OF Boston, for
nsancemay hail this sudden conversion Of Mr. Clay to
Mexicanism with appropriate satisfaction; but we are
seriously mistaken the great masses of the people, to
political friends. do not lament this last act of his as one
for the madness OF which his ambition cannot pre-
sent suitable justification.
We pity Mr. Clay sincerely, for he has evidently be-
come the dupe of designing political demagogues His
views Of the war with Mexico, developed in his Lex
as given to the world but little While ago The fear
that Mr. Webster might ALLEVIATE from him the affection
of certain portion Of the federal party has induced him
to become inconsistent than Mr. Webster him.
SELF and he even goes so far in his newfound zeal for
Mexico TO chide, in snguary discourteous language
the federal members of Congress who looking at the
declaration of against the United States by Mexico
honest enough to speak OF that act as Americans
and not sympathsers with the insuters OF the flag
Of our country Mr. Clay declares that they voted for
dcton for one affecting to hold the position of great
statesman-no to say for one who once longed himself
for an opportunity, in this very ioar, 10 STAY Mex-
cant"
Ii we believe Mr. Clay to be sincere in the positions
he has assumed in this his last dying speech and
mediate iorerunner Of his political executionS we should
respect, however might condemn, his opinions. But
convinced that he has ventured upon this extrao
binary merely political movement, and look
ing, regardless OF its moral enomty only at its effect
upon the political party of which he is the nominal head
He has no excuse therefore, for his folly but his insa-
example of the blindness with which self-interest
afcts even superior ntelecs For Mr.. Clay could not
possibly have adopted even more ngGpuiar and inpo-
tined to lead him in triumph into the hearts OF the Anne
rcan people! He never made more egregous political
calculation in his life, although his life has been little
else than series of such blunders of various magni-
tudes In short, he has only placed himself now upon
the platform assumed by Daniel Webster and the federal
party in 1872 when the with Great Britain de-
nounced by them the Presidents war; and too
Just and unholy' to merit federal encouragement He
has only placed himself where behed, Of old the
cisely the same language which the former friends
Great Britain, and enemies of our country made
of in he times that tried mems souls" In word he has
now associated himself with traitors! And Just the
people ofxmerica repudated the doctrines OF the Hart
ford Convention they have invariably dsownet
the press and the party that only talk Of the price
III w i ia n md her r
step with alacrity to its rescue-w they again
pudiate Mr.. Clay, with all his shifting views and opin
hardihood to place himself once more before them as
candidate for their favor