The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-02-16

's'"''' '''SS'eph'
He has taken rooms at WILLARD's Ho-
TEL in this city.
MIR. CLAY.
If, we were 10 venture n speculation as to Mr.
Clays chief motive in yielding to assent his return to
the Senate, 1t would be that he might do his part in
ayerting from the country the dangers thar threaten
from the agitation of certain questions which always
create bitterness in the public mind.
As to any palry feelings of resentment or revenge
which have been freely attributed to him by many
presses, Mr.. Clay has reached an age and acquired
reputation which put him far above such unworthy
imputations.--L erington, Ky, Observer,
We think that the speculations, which
have been INDUCED in by the press generally,
as to the motive which has prompted Mr..
Clay to return to the Senate, do that gem
tleman great injustice, for we can. conceive
Of no possible motive which would induce
the octogenarian statesman to come back to
public life, but desire to devote the last
days Of his illustrious career to the service Of
his country, above and beyond the despica-
BILE requirements Of party interests. The
time is opportune for the display Of his great
powers, untrammeled by partisan opinions,
for the administration of the new executive
will revive the Wash:ngtonian era, when all
those concerned in the government coun-
selled together for the general good, and not
for the promotion Of miserable party objects.
Gen. Taylor himself will set the example Of
crushing the tyranny Of party beneath his
heel, and will leave Congress to do its duty
to the country without undertaking to dra-
goon it into following his notions Of public
policy. There will be an end to administra-
ton measures in Congress, and Represen-
tatives and Senators will be enabled to APP
proach and discuss measures of public policy,
without being met with the power Of the
executive with party at his back in the
halls Of legislation to cram his bills down
their threats, whether they want them or not.
The threatenings Of the executive will no more
be heard in Congress. Executive ministers
will no longer be seen lobbying and worry
ing members to vote for this or that execu-
tive bill. The country will be permitted,
So iai 10 tho SASSutiNt 10 lOuSelHCu1 W nave
the benefit Of the counsels Of the whole Con-
gress. Representatives and Senators will
be able to speak their sentiments, without
running the hazard of mourning the displeas-
ure Of the President. Mr.. Clay will find the
whole field open to him, and he will no more
have necessity to marshal party toresist the
entertainments of the executive upon Con-
gress. The executive will be restored to its
ancient constitutional position 1t will exc
cute the part assigned to it BY the consttu-
ton in the making Of the laws, without fear,
favor, or affection, in strict accordance with
the limitations of the constitution. 1t will
not take the lead in legislation, but will do
its duty, when it shall be required to act
1t will recommend, it is true, but It will
there stop. 1t will not initiate laws. That
duty pertains to Congress, and it will be left
to Congress to perform it without the threats
or coercion Of the executive. The appear
ance OF such man as Mr.. Clay upon the
stage, under such a state Of things, we re-
peat, will be opportune for the display of his
colossal abilities in the public councils.
The semi-ohical disclaimer BY the Ler-
ington Observer of any personal motive in
iluenclng MIR. Clay in coming back to the
Senate, we are satisfied, does him no more
than justice, but even il he ever entertained
any such unworthy ideas as have been i'm
putcd to him, Mr. Clay is too shrcwd man
not to see that his appearance at Washing
ton, for the purpose Of indulging such feel
ings, would be bootess errand. II Gen.
Taylor were the mere President or instru-
ment Of party, and the party that elected
him had a decided majority in both Houses
Of Congress, it might be possible for man
of Mr.. Clay's powers to succeed in direct
ing the policy of the administration, or fail
ing to repeat the scenes Of 1871, but with
such a man as Zachary Taylor s4 the head
Of affairs, with a large Democratic majority
in the Senate, with dscordant Wing major
ity (it may beg in the House Of Represent
tatlves, such a design as has been ascribed to
Mr.. Clay by some Of the public press, would
be certain to reco upon the heads Of all
who might unite to carry it into execution.
faetous war by Whigor Democrat or Free
Soil upon Cen Taylorwi never result in any
thing to the attacking party but defeat, dis
astrious defeat, let il be tried when il may.
President Taylor asks for no support in ad-
vance, from friend or opponent. He asks
r. +
tor no tdDor, shrinks from no responsibility.
He will be the President Of the whole peo-
pie, not Of party. No man knows Gen.
Iaylor's character better than Mr. Cay