Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-11-29
Clay.

we perceive that the name OF tais "'Ae AAA'
is again being associated with the Presidency
In our article of last week, speaking OF MI
WEBSTER and Mr.. FILLMORE, as being, in fact
the only really prominent wings who woulc
appear before the Convention, and that one OF
the other would undoubtedly be chosen, we
had no idea that the name of HENRY CLAY
would mingle in that contest. In the first
place, we did not nor do we yet believe he
will allow his name to be brought before the
Convention; and secondly, we doubt very much
the policy of such a step, for his own repu.
tation and for the interests of the wing party.
About a quarter of a century since or more,
Mr.. CLAY first became i candidate for the
Presidency and was unsuccessful. Thrice has
he been a candidate since that period, and each
time defeated, on the last occasion by a gentle
man of much less brillianey and distinction
than either of his former opponents. And
now, to bring him forward again under these
crushing circumstances, and at his advanced
age, would not only appear ridiculous, but
would seem to be the heighth Of folly, with
no limited showing Of intellectual halucination
on the part Of the wing party.
The prejudices which influenced the minds
of his countrymen when Mr.. CLAY first be-
came a candidate, still exist. Although his
most inveterate enemies admit the pnreaess of
his patriotism, his moral and intellectual great
ness, the debt Of gratitude which his country
owes him, the honor he would confer upon the
highest office in its gift, yet, let but his name
be announced as a candidate for that high sta
ton, and the greatest vituperation and zeal
in opposition to his success, will at once mark
the course of those who, while he was in COM
parative retirement, delighted to award him his
just need of praise. We have seen all this
exemplifed in former years.
The destiny of HENRY CLAY, we fear, will
never confer upon him the Executive mantle of
the nation. Why should he or his friends wish
it! Such distinction might be necessary to
the historical greatness Of others, but it would
not add the weight of a feather to the bright
and enduring fame of Mr.. Clay. But, placing
his name before the Convention again, is risk
ing too much for the closing with brilliancy
his ~eyentful history--a defeat now before that
body, would cast upon it a blur which would
the historical page of the whole nation.
We are not, however, SO sure that they are
the friends of Mr.. Clay who are now urging
his claims for the Presidency of '53. The De-
are a willy set; they would be most
exceedingly pleased 10 know that we had as
many candidates in the field as themselves, the
better to effect dissensions amongst us. They
that the name Of Henry CLAY is yet a
magic one with his party; and, really, nothing
could delight Them more than to see him again
,nnounced for the Presidency! These same
'i;siinterested gentlemen have likewise been We
y o~ficious of late in claiming for Gen. Scorr
he sympathy and support of the wing party,
+ a portion Of it, whom they know full we'll
7ould not for a moment be tolerated by south
IN wings, and whose chance for the nomina-
on is too distant to be thought of. We have
ct to see that the Democrats are so perfectly !
nselfsh, or have so much at heart the interests {
the wing party, as to speak in a laudatory {
lanner Of the claims or prospects of M. Web
err or Mr.. Fillmore in connection with the :
residency. Oh, no, not they! s
We have no doubt, that the wings who meet I
their National Convention, will be up to all :
ese tricks-and proud as we would be to see {
m elevated to the highest pinnacle of great c
'ss known in this Republic, yet we cannot ii
that Mr.. CLAY orhis friends will again 7
low his name to 60 forward in a contest for
e nomination as the wing candidate for the
esidency. d