The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-10-27
Henry clay,s Letter.

Henry Clay's Letter.
In Publishing Mr. Clay's great Union letter this
morning, we cannot fofbear a remark or two
1t htone Of those clear, strong ehofss of the most
Distinguished Of American statesmen, which 20 rghs
staight home to popular sentiments and popular
convictions, commanding both by the most un'
Questionable honesty and sinceress earnestness
The letter IL I crest effort Of common senses
Henry sClayi great talent ID common sense ana
il IL BY that alone, sustaining, in the mixed
masses Of infosned and uninfosmed citizens, the
most elaborats theories and the most involved
psoposisious of political economy, he has been
able to maintain his position. It 10 by that alone
no has been able TO meet the overwhelming
opposition 10 his theories, and exsort reluctant
eonSs.siou IT admiration from his opponents.
The general policy Of the democratic party is that
which it now pursuss in our present local can
VA. II asserts little or nothing; il seizes upon
every weak point Of its opponent; it forces that
opponent into q position Of defence, and COM
msnd,. in popular sentiment, oil the eelat which
ever awaits the attacking party when not ignohly
defsated. It asserts nothing, and, therefore, has
nothing 10 defend.
Mr.. Clay Is positive politician. He has his
views, his theories, his convictions. He proclaims
them boldly. He urges them ardently. He panses
before no selfish confederation Difficulties nerve,
opposition arouses him. The very Richard C9ur
de Lion of politics. he needs only defiance to
| dash headlong into the thickest Of an opposing
host. Once convinced that he is right. he heeds
neither the defiance Of foe nor friends prayer
Of expediency. Entirely self.reliant, las are all
men of great genius) he walks forth alone upon
his path, confident that support must follow with
| out absolute compusion. He has none of the
vague, but magnificent, generalization of Webster
none Of the subtle, but wonderful and refined
analysis Of Calhoun. In mere language Preston
| is more splendid. Mason more classic and beanti
full. But in clear common sense, surprising then
all, knowing almost by intuition the nature o
things and their relations the one with the other
he looks right into the understanding Of the I'm
pretending citizen, and talks to him as he wonl'
talk himself upon a subject he had examined.
For an illustration Of what we have said, let the
! reader read the magnificent disquisition in hi
letter which we publish to-day, commencing will
q notification and secession have sprung" etc
and closing with "they will be guilty Of treason
and incur the penalty inflicted upon traitors"
| His mssterly argument upon the preamble Of tn
Constitution. an argument clothed in the simpe'
t and most beautiful language, partaking Of none {
y the swelling pomposity of some local orator.
. will bear comment more than the Jove I
Phidias would bear the clippings Of the chisel Of
: Ipresumptuous artist. There is nothing deicien
I nothing superintendent in it; and we may eve
). enthusiastically say that in the experience of o,
. public discussions, it has never yet been brougI
d forward in its clear, mastery, perfect outline
= The much Wanted argument Of Webster in h
I discussion with Hayne, lin that debate vanquish,
II by magnificent defamation ony) is by NO meal
. equal to it-may no more compare with it than
). lSatyr to Hyperion. The argument in favor
i secession, is mere morning mist in the grown
70 light of his clear demonstration.
/ We are very Prouo Of every ming LILLE "ou
!, statesman does-proud Of it as the act Of he
=. tuckian, and proud Of it beyond the carpil
to csnsure of petty partnership. But, of all thin
Mt before us, we most admire such things as we Fl
rs in his letter of to-day, plain, frank, level
every mans understanding, true to the chart Of I
Constitution, true to the Union, and going rig
!, into the heart of the common sense intelligence
,.s the people. The man of the people speaks to t
ID, =, .
Il; people and he is a man too proud to stoop, a
ne too honest to deceive.