The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-11-26
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
FRIDAY NIGHT, NOV. 20. Is47.
Comments OF Whig upon MIR. Ciay's Speech
2. The Eloquent Resolutions OF the Democrats Of
Trnnf no

Trenton
We cheerfully resign the pen this evening into the
hands of others The first article lay before read
ers is a commentary by the New York Courier on Mr..
Clay's speech Wing as he is, and sometimes rabd
whig--neyer sparing ourselves when he can give us
thrust of are free to confess
that there American feelings in Mr.. Webb which we
cannot but respect The following article from his
Thursdays Courier is manly and able and eloquent
production. Though he does spare Mr. Polk and his
measuesand in our opinion, he unjustly decres them
yet he takes the part of his country in her war with
Mexico; and we excuse his denuncaion of the Presi
dent, for the sake of the public spirit which breahes
in his article. Mr.. Clay and his friends may not
readily forgive him for having attacked his posi-
tons, for so unceremoniously putting him by as
the candidate of the party, and for indirectly hold
ing him up as the tool of knot OF politicians around
him, who ''instgated" him to deliver this suicidal
speech. This language may not be strictly in unison
with what the New York Courier has said about his move
ment few days ago. 1t is still less in harmony with
the feelings of large portion of the wing pary but we
leave Mr. Clay and his friends to settle this matter
among themselves We turn again with pleasure to the
proud spirit with which Col Webb stands up by his
country in opposition to Mexico and aeprecates the en-
WlCH MI Sldy course Is 10
give to the foreign enemy.
We turn from the Lexington speech to a more patri
otto and congenial spectacle-the proceedings OF the
citizens of Trenton Tuesday evening last Even if
we had not been specially requested TO repubsh Them
we should have been prompted by our love for the
cause, well by admiration for the ability and elo
quence and generous spirit which distinguish these reso
lutions, to place them in COLUMNS before our
countrymen The heart swes with pride when we read
them, and exut at the contrast which they exhibit
to the late effusion of Mr.. Clay There was time
when he would have expressed himself in similar terms
Thirty years ago." he would thus have spoken--in
fact, he thus spoke thirty five years ago. 1t was at
that time, when he did us the honor of complimenng
us with enthusiasm which can never forget, for
standing up for the rights of the country, and urging
the war with Great Britain Is it the brilliant orator
or the humble editor who has changed his positions
From the New York Enquirer
Mr.. CLAWS SPEEcH.-Whe it is national misfortune
that the great and good of country do exercise
upon national affairs the influence TO which they Justly
entitled, it cannot be denied that their Influence with the
great Of their party frequently overpower
ing to destroy in great measure the free agency of its
members And precisely such is the position of Mr. Clay
in regard very large portion of the wing party this
time Hisgea and varied services TO the country during
long life devoted to public affairs his admitted patriotism
and talents and his fearless defence of what he considers
the right; and, wtal his repeated failures to reach the
presidency while inferior have been elevated
high station, in direct reputation of Mr. Cays acknow
edged fitness and clams-have given him a claim upon
and power over, large portion of the wing party which
induces them to question the sincerity and doubt the hon
esty of every wing who presumes differ from him in
opinion upon national subjects
But while this feeling may exist to very great extent
among individuals composing the wing party, those who
control the public press must not and may not yield it.
ithey would preserve their consistency merit the espec:
OF their readers Among the thousands and thousands
who have long and steadily adhered the fortunes of
Mr. Clay, there is who has been his
support. would go further his election
the presidency were possible than the writer of these
marks In 1882 we devoted our columns time, and
means, his election and ia 1886 we were among
the last who consented that another candidate should be
against Mr.. Van Buren,. In 1910, when those who
have since been oudest in singing his praise
ing all kinds of schemes defeat his minaon OPP
doned the hope that Clay and Webster would be candi
dates, until Harrison and Tyler nominated and the
convention adjourned.
The who then objected the nomination and cleo.
ton of Henry Clay the Tribune and its coaborers
this State and for that act viii be forgiven by those
who really desire to Mr. Clay in the presidential chair
OF in 1884, and of exerons in his behalf
need speak. They without avail and be-
the Tribune and its associates who had led honest
from his support in 1910 could undo the work of
their hands. They found no difficulty in poisoning the
minds of the aboioniss against him but such
easy task wipe the recollection of their own SLAM
ders.
We refer the fact of adherence to Mr. CLAY since
1892 whenever he desired be candidate for the presi-
dency, to demonstrate that if differ from him in many
of the views advanced in his speech in Lexington
it is not because do the man and to his
noble qualities, but because bndly subscribe all his
positions would be abandonment of our oft
convictions Fortunately too, Mr.. Clay no longer can
ddate for the presidency Having reached the age of three
and he expressly declares he comes
before his countrymen as private and humble citizen
TO express his views and opinions of the policy best
calculated to deliver country from the pers and dam
gers which surround it," And who read the beautiful
and touching declaration" In the circle of the year.
umn has and of flowers has passed away
in the progress OF spring time has gone by and
in the autumn of life, and feel the frost of age -"
who, We ask can read this touchngy poeca language
and again desire the venerable and states
man submitted to the turmos and abuse of contest for
the presidencyl Yet there such men and it is be
cause his late speech at Lexington made at the ins,
CATION Of politicians who determined force him upon
the wing party its candidate for the presidency
that feel incumbent upon raise against
the speech ITSELF hostile the spirit of the wings and
certain to bring upon defeat adopted textbook
hat may have been the chances of Mr. Clays if
he could have been induced remain SILENT instead Of be-
ing urged to take the suicidal course he did, will
pretend to says but 1t is certain that his letters in
1874 destroyed his chance of that great contest
than that the speech which yesterday laid before our
readers has annihated every prospect of his being
cessnl candidate i'm 1913. We opposed to the whole
and not the less that il has DESTROYED what
hope there was in the mind of many, that
combining elect the presidency one of the abest
nd pures mo ofo