The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-04
Following Lead.

In the Senate debate of Saturday, on the
River and Harbor bill, Mr. FooTE pleasantly
enough alluded to Mr.. CLARKE as following
the lead of Mr.. CLAY. To this Mr.. CLARKE,
who is apt to give Roland for an Oliver,
replied by suggesting that he was not in the
habit of following the lead of any man, as the
Senate would bear him witness; but, if it were
otherwise, that the last man to attack him for
following the lead Of the Senator from Ken
lucky was the honorable Senator from Mssis-
sippi, who had been for months during the last
session following the same lead in the mea-
sures of Compromise. To this Mr.. FooTE
responded that, though he was proud and hap
Ply to agree whenever he could with the Sena-
tor from Kentucky, and though he had worked
together with him in behalf Of the great mea-
sures Of Compromise, yet that he had not then
followed MIR. Glars lead, because he had
himself moved the appointment Of the Com
mittee of Thirteen, who had reported those
measures to the Senate.
We allude to this scene merely to throw out
an idea or two in connection with it, on the sub
ject of following lead" The great trouble
with the party Of which Mr.. CLARKE is MEM
Der, is said to be that they have too many lead
Iers-and that, while all are willing to lead,
few are willing to follow. This sentiment
is fatal to party. If we are to have any dis
cipline-any co-operation-any success any
triumph-the Wing party must follow some
lead or other, and the question is, schose lead
SHALL they tolIo,c9 In urging with the zeal,
eloquence, and ability, which he has brought
to its discussion, the passage Of the River
lowing the lead of the WING Administration.
He has sustained the recommendations Of Pre-
sident FILLMORE. In approving and en-
couraging the PRESIDENTS policy in regard
to the recent rescue at Boston, Mr.. CLAY
was again following the lead of the Administers
ton. Indeed, in every thing that has tran
spired since the accession Of Mr.. FILLMORE to
the Presidency, Mr.. CLAY has warmly, hearth
ly, sincerely, and cordially followed the lead Of
the Administration. We think, then, that Mr..
CLARKE did not intend to intimate that it
would be any selfdisparagement if he had
indeed followed the lead of Mr.. CLAY; the
Senator from Kentucky himself following the
lead Of the WING Administration, with which
he entirely concurs, and in which he entirely
confdes.
1t is disparaging to no legislator, no states
man, no politician, that he follows lead for
without such following no party can accomplish
any thing useful, OF perpetuate its power. But
they must decide carefully ,chose lead they ,ciu
tolIo,o. We think the WING party at least,
throughout the country, will be perfectly safe in
following the lead of an Administration whose
lead Mr.. CLAY, SO long the Wing champion
is well contented to follow. The Adminstra-
tion is the centre of the Wing system, to which
the eyes Of California WHIas, as well as Maine
WHIGs, are watchfully and anxously turned.
WING States or WING sections, which wheel
off from the lead Of the Administration, TO fol-
low the lead of local power, are. following an
ignis tatns that will destroy themselves and
the party. The Wines of the country have a
thoroughly WING Administration. The mem
bers of that Administration are naturally and
necessarily the leaders of the WING party.
The PRESIDENT. though the PRESIDENT Of the
PEOPLE, is still the head of the PARTY; and
the lead which Mr.. WEBSTER. Mr.. CLAY,
and Mr.. CRITTENDEN are contented to follow
will be safe guidance for the Wires through
out the country, without regard 10 tho sberra-
tons and eccentricties Of local leaders.