The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-30
From the Richmond Whig.
MIR, Clay and the President.

The article from the Republic, in another column,
relieves Of the necessity OF saying much ON this
subject which we intended. There are few
points, however, which we prefer to touch in our
We said yesterday that Mr. Clays attack upon
the Administration was unprovoked and unjust.
We fear IL argues foregone CONCLUSION, q dehber-
ate predetermnaton on the part of the distinguish
With ali his noble qualities, he has his faults; and
among these is dictatorial spirit, usually devoted
TO great ends, but frequently productive OF mis-
chieyous consequences, both TO himself and his
friends He is restless and uneasy, while another OF
the party with himself occupies the first office
in the Republic, and he may imagine that he can
I'M Wing General Taylor as easy as he did Mr..
John Tyler. The material at present in hand, how
ever. is very different from that on which he for
mery operated, and the result will be- that instead
of Iylerising Old lack, he may find himself Iy-
lerized.
But be this as il may, he had no just provocation
either as Wing, or an American Senator, to as
sail General Taylor: The President had, in his
annual message, performed the duty enjoined upon
him by the Constitution, Of recommending such
measures as he deemed best calculated TO subserve
the public welfare. That task performed, he left
the subject of Legislation TO the representatives of
the people. When they should have inatured a
measure to suit themselves, he stood ready to exc
cute the farther constitutional duty OF approving
rejecting. But six months of discreditable wrang
ling have ensued-various projects have been sub
mitted to the consideration Of Congress by differ
ent members-General Taylor remained quiescent
the whole time--he did not depart from the appro-
pirate role of the Chief Magistrate of the republic,
by proclaining that he approved OF this, or dsap-
proved of that scheme No man, except the Bitter
Enders of the Washington Uni0n-Mr. Clay GER
tainly did not-denounced him for this wise and
constitutional conduct. But now, when committee
OF the Senate has made report, yet upon the anvil
of discussion, inchoate and imperfect, and its ui-
mate character uncertain, Wing Senator rises in
his place and formally denounces the patriotism
and wisdom of the President, for refusing to ex-
press his appreciation of such immature PROPOSE
ton, and for not ordering Congress to pass it into
law. This might be a very appropriate task for
Bitter Ender, but we humby conceive 1t ia not in
keeping with the character of the iustrous states
man from Kentucky
But even if it were the duty Of the President to
interfere with the action of Congress, which it is
sault upon General Taylor. He runs parallel be-
tween his scheme and the suggestions of the Presi
dent, for the purpose of obtaining materials for his
attack Their first proposition is identica-the adj
mission of California; that therefore, gave shadow
preext for complaint The next relates to the Ter
rtories Of Utah and New Mexico. The President
proposes to leave them they are, until they
prepared for admission as States-with the distnc
understanding that Congress is to attempt legis
lation with respect to their domestic institutions
MIR. Clay proposes to erect them into territorial
governments, subject at any time to the Wilmo
proviso, when majority in Congress may choose
to apply it. There is not very great difference
here, but all the difference is in favor of Genera
| Taylor's plan, as being more favorable to the
| South, in not conceding the right of Congress &c
| enact the proviso.
This is the extent of General Taylor's sugges
| tons. But Mr.. Clay goes farther and makes Gen
eral Taylor's omission to go far he does, the
ground for assailing him and representing him az
opposed to every thing of which he has not declared
himself in favor.
But the most unjust and ungenerous portion o
Mr. Clay's attack consists in holding, up Genera
Taylor to the country as opposed to the Fugitive
Slave bill and to that relating to the District o.
Columbia, because the President had not sent any
special recommendations to Congress on those sub
common with the Bitter Enders, it can be shown
that General Taylor is opposed to every thing
But we do not deem such invectives, even though
coming from Mr.. Clay, worthy of farther notice