New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-12-18
MIR. Clay In the SENATE (,

We notice gosslplng paragraph going the
rounds Of the journals 70 the effect that HENRT
CLAY, since the comparative restoration Of his
health, had minated t. some inquirer a willing
ness 10 be returned 10 the next mot the present
Senate OF the United States, IN case the people Of
Kentucky and the Wings OF the Union should
deem bis services ia that capacity essential
Whether there was any foundation Tor this state
ment we do not decide, yet the terms Of Mr. Clay $
letter declining b. return 10 the Senate, when
pressed to do so last season. leave room to hope
that he will respond to such CALL if ever the state
Of the country should in the general judgment and
his own render such n course the clear dictate Of
duty.
We desire, therefore for one, to say that, in our
Judgment 1t Is important and most desirable that
Mr Clay should surrender the retirement so con-
genial to his advanced years, and return 10 the
Senate which is 10 make part OF the XAAlst Con
gross Most momentous questions OF National
Policy, internal aud territorial, are 10 be acted
upon and settled by that Congress, which will de
mand combination Of the deepest wisdom, the
maturest experience, and the most exalted patriot
ism of the country, for their peaceful and happy
adjustment. We need a revision Of the Tariff a
reform of our Financial policy, and the careful and
able elaboration Of system of River and Hsrbor
improvements, which shall extend its blessings to
every section OF our Union and be felt as burden
by none. We must have a iinal adjustment Of the
distracting Territorial questions which threaten
the harmony and perpctuity OF our Mon, and Of
which the hope OF adjustment by the present
Congress has grown sensibly DINNER within the
last few DAYS. And does the man live who could
do more to bring all these jarring elements to a
genial and fruitful commingling, than the great
Statesman OF the West
We desire TO see Mr. Clay IN the next Senate
for Il reason which has not been expressed by any
Of our cotemporarios We desire 10 those
disabused who regard him man of the Past
Of the class which learns and unlearns nothing
one of those who insist that thing must be done
to-day Just as it was or should have been done
forty years ago. There those who do not svow
themselves uniriendly to Mr.. Clay who yet habitu-
ally speak OF him as a man fixed in immovablo at
tschment To particular set OF measures which no
is determined to prosecute to success, without re-
gard to the changes which time aud events are
constantly making IN the circumstances of the
country. Either we have misconceved these
have deeply wronged MIR. Clay. His devotion to
his Principles is indeed unwavering and unchango.
able ms IL should be-ior these Principles are based
on the fundamental idea Of Republican insttu-
tlons-the widest and fullest Bcnehcence Prn-
cpes do not change, but the Measures Of wise
and great Statesman are always based upon and
adapted 10 the actual condition Of things and of
this broad and manifest distinction Mr.. Clays
iastrous public career has afforded many striking
elucidstions We believe he would be found
among the most practical and efficient as well as
capable and commanding Of the Statesmen who
are to rally around the new Wing Administration,
and aid 1t laying broad and deep the foundations
Of beneiccnt system OF National Policy and we
uast no Wing IN Kentucky will think OF another
candidate for the Senate If It shall be found that
Mr., Clay's objections to return to that lofty arena
Of his usefulness and his renown not insur-
mountable