The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-09-26


WINGED The western orator and the wings generally Of the
Impolicy OF again renewing the experiment He had,
therefore assenied TO all ihapa Of the with
out being permitted TO know its full extent which OPP
posed the denomination OF Mr. Clay, impoitc unwse,
and destructive OF all hopes Of wing success.
That the wings as party. could deliberately noml-
nate General Taylor, assent TO support such nomlna
on II made. he did not believe within the range oil prob
ability. In the struggle at Philadsphia he had expected
DGas M ca w0us Ss
venng of that convention he had indeed learned some
thing OF the extent OF the intrigue 10 prescribe all the
old wing leaders, but was increduous to its
Uncertain what course to pursue after the result at
Philadelphia was known, he had yacillaed in doubts
what position TO take, and in this hesiiang state OF mind
resolved to await the movements then in progress for the
convention at Buffalo. IL possible they might make
selection OF HIMSELF and he therefore forbore making
any commiiias until thar result was ascertaiaed Al
length three months after the nomination at Philade-
phia, he declared, at meeting Marshfed that though
the nomination OF General Taylor not fit to be
those OF his party who made it. The reproof administer
ed that occasion, though mered and deserved reflect
ed in its CONCLUSIONS no credit himself and afforded
SETS an excuse to stimulate Il moi perfect an intrigue hav
ing for ts accomplishment the pros,raon and exclusion
Of Mr.. Webster in his own State There had long ex
listed want OF perfect codiay between the two
from Massachusetts, which had been understood among
the leading wings Of New England. Mr.. Lawrence had
adhered 10 Mr. Webster, until introduced into the con-
the whole circle Of canddaies-Cay, Webster, Scott,
and McLean-when, disposed to complete the work, he
became party TO the local Vaccinations against the
Webster soon saw and felt the rising storm, aud took
some steps to counteract IL; but it was not until the fol-
lowing winter, and close upon the inauguration that he
ed before him. Detected and depressed, he would then
have been glad to have taken the mission to Germany,
and thus have closed his public services but he was de-
experienced several sore diappontmenls, and vain
gonously ambitious to make an ostentatous display oil
his wealth as ambassador at ST. james To crafty the
personal aspirations OF the wealthy Bostonianas Mas
sachuses could receive but of the first class OF ap
pointments-Mr, Webster the intellectual giant OF his
party, and the high interests and fame Of the country,
Were alike dsregarded and the accomplished Bancroft
recalled.
While the great lawyer and statesman OF Massachu.
sets sought in some honorable way; retire from the
strife and active OF political life grieved and sad
dened by the recreancy and athessness OF those who
should have been his friends, his ancient and
rival in the West met IN different spirit his adverse Tor
tunes. Mr.. Clay had been more keenly disappointed ;
but he stood unsubdued; and far from retreating
before those who has betrayed and deserted
him, he sought to meet them in their strength determined
to control and direct their conduct and all
their pride OF place. Instead OF submitting TO their
rangements and the "no-party" promises OF General
Taylor he resolved that they should come to his terms
and that he would crush any scheme that had for
object an abandonment of his policy Indignant at the
treatment he had received and the pretexts by which it
OF Buena Vista and his abettors recall their pledges
belle their words, break their promises, and become ultra
wings in all their acts or naic his resentment the
whole combination that had participated in his over
throw Age, if had impaired his energies had not sub.
dued his resentments.
Less profound than Webster, and with a mind less
capacous in every respect he had nevertheless an intellect
fertile in expedients, and glowing and stirring elo.
quence that failed call around him adniring and
devoted followers Bold. resoute, and imperous, his
party feared TO oppose him. His wannest friends had
often felt that his domination reduced them to condition.
incompatible with mental Independence Still, such was
his address, such the fascination Of his manner and such
the naughty lmperousness OF his temper, that he held
almost unlimited control those Of bis party that came
within the sphere OF his influence Crenden was hum
bled and awed in his pesenceCayton. tmd and fearful
infinitely superior TO them ALL and to Clay himself
what constitutes intellectual greatness. had yielded
to the perempoy, wayward often domineerng. and al
man. and in many respects finished politician Clay,
though renegade would admit his apostacy and
with singular adroitness and marked effect. sometimes
sets with his federalism. although he had himself de-
serted TO that party. and after its change of made
himself its leader Webster being. made TO bear the
odum, while Clay took the honors OF the party
For many years Clay had been foremost in Congress
and the country in all schemes oil Capitalization and elo
quent unsparng and sometimes violent 10 his declama
tons against the Saterights democratic party, which
he had deserted The ablest Argument il not The most
eloquent he made in Congress, against the re-
charter Of the first National Bank II in early life,
and nearly forty years before his last election the SEN
ate. After his apostacy be became the champion OF
national bank. OF magnificent and unlimited internal inn
provemens, OF high taxes TO accomplish them, Of sys
ten OF distribution OF public money from the national
treasury to the States and mulitudinous measures all
tending TO ceDtralism and consolidation.
Both these distinguished men, after their Joint abors OF
a quarter OF century in the WING cause-aways in
deed to be defeated and ways be rejected by The peo
pe-had finally been subjected to the modification OF
witnessing their own party conspring their overthrow
for the reason that their Principles rendered them obnox
lous to their country II was painful aud morifying
spectacle, yet not without its teachings that statesmen
and politicians OF their maured wisdom and experience
should thus, and BY insldous means, be sacrificed by
heir party, because they had been faithful TO ia pn
cpes. An inexperienced and incapable man. conessedy
gnoant OF civil duties and with public az
airs had been Preferred because he declared he was op
posed TO their ultra views and this preference had been
sanctioned by those whose fidelity and friendship they
ons.
In promoting this conspiracy, Mr. Clayton had under.
aiken 10 act part that he had neither the ability nor
courage TO consummae He had lost at the very outset
of The administration an opportunity that could be
recalled more comprehensive, vigorous, and resolue
nlna would have embraced the occasion to perform
great public service that have Injured to his own
enduring lame, by shaping the administration in con.
ormty with the pledges that had been made and thus
nave met the just expectations of the country This
would also have relieved him and his associates OF the
tyranny and denuncafon OF the old leaders, whom thew
had irreconcaby aenaed and offended, and placed the
Administration strong in the affections OF the people But
o have done this. honesty OF purpose and an able asd
'airotic cabinet were necessary Failing in these the
ate OF the administration sealed, and the inability
md weakness Of the Secretary demonstrated He
'ae proved himself unequal to his position.
Three OF the cabinet officers IL was soon apparent
we're mere ephers IN the executive council and wholly
united for the positions assigned them Collamer2 I
whose ambition would have been amply eratifed and
whose ability would have been fully tasked wifi one of