The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-22
Minority Legis,ation-sIgns of tho Times.

Minority Legisiation-Sgns the Times,
Mr.. CLAY IN THE SENArE.-The New York Tribune is or
In favor of Mr. Clay The United States Senate for
the next Congress- and thinks the terms of hi letter Of de-
clensioh last season do not preclude such course when
1t becomes 9 the clear dictate of duty"
The above paragraph from the Baltimore Sun shows
one OF the movements now making by the wings to sad
die upon the country system of minority egsationof
legislation that is, to which very large majority of this
people resoutely opposed The recent ratenisaion
of Gen. Taylor and Mr. Clay is parto the same system
The case is this Wing policy, as mpersonated in Mr.
Clay, has become odious 10 the people that calcua-
ting politicians knew that his nomination was sure defeat
In order win the victory the wing party had TO Tayof
i.e itself The Generals solemn and repeated pledges
drew the teeth of the whig creed, concaled great
number OF democrats to his support and secured his
election. Now, the tables have turned and the old
wings want Mr. Clay in the Senate to control the admin
istration which General Taylor alone could create
If Mr. Clay comes back to the Senate the supporter
of General Taylors administration, he will either rule it
ruin it; perhaps in fact he will both rule and ruin it.
Very nearly thirds OF the American people ready
to-day against the leading of public pol
icy which Mr. Clay will be to press, with all his
accustomed power and energy, in the Senate far more
than two thirds OF the people are opposed to that system
of wholesale prescription which Mr. Clay will bring
with him he comes. In that event, the wings
will substantially restore the condemned tariff of 1912,
they will fall in the attempt to restore it. They will
tainly pull down the constitutional treasury unless de-
fea,ed in the Senate; and in that Mr.. Clay will urge
them to take appeal from the Senate to the people
In word, ii MIR. Clay comes back to the Senate, from
that day forth he leads the wing party, and he brings
with him the whole policy of the socalled american
system"
The only opposition in the Taylor ranks to such a
course will come from those who are represented by
what calls itself the Taylor republican party" But
this organization is ye in the grise" 1t stand
against the wings proper may provide for itself and
so retire from Ethe active of wing councils and
caucuses upon pension. This is about the most it
can hope for if Mr.. Clay shall to Washington to
rule the hour
This eecting General Taylor, and then summonng
Mr. Clay back the Senate be ''viceroy over him.
is fact pretty piece of political legerdemain, quite
worthy of the long headed politicians who have planned
it They seem to have forgotten but two elements of the
case in their calculation The first is General Tayors
possible recusancy restveness the second u.s. the view
which the people may take of the matter. If Gen Tay
lor should show sturdy old fashioned regard for his
troubles and that too though Mr. Clays presence in the
Senate should produce desired Effect of strengthening
his hand to withhold has peo from the WHmot Proviso
Yet this danger is not perhaps great might be
the wings for the country has already seen that General
Taylors pledges are rery susceptible Of explanation.
But the other matter forgotten in this arrangement for
Mr.. Clay's return, is great deal serious. The
people, in voting for General Taylor, have by no means
bargained for Clay regime The voters may well say
with Mr.. Webster, Gentlemen this is not the entertain
ment to which we were invited Taylorsm itself is
minority in the country Democratic dsunion-and
that in single Stae-aone prevented the election OF the
democratic candidate and when Taylorism comes to
robe itself before the people in the casto of
Clay policy sagacous men will see that its end draws
nigh At all events, such state of things will put a
STOP we trust to chickering's and divisions in the demo-
cratic party All that democrats have labored for during
the last twenty years, will then be put under the ban
The policy which during that period has done to
build up the prosperity and gonfy the of this
lion, than was ever done by legislation in any other
country in the same length of time-al this system of
policy will be ruhlessly reversed Every great and sal
utary principle, which, since the accession of General
Jackson TO power, we have inscribed upon the statute
book, will be summary erased "erpunged' 1t will
be restoration of the Bourbons Democrats will have
ceased to be democrats, when they fail TO rally
man, and with one heart, against such an ascendency.