Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-02-27
r1.n.u c1ar aud the wings.


Mr.. Clay has nearly run his appointed race J MS
laws are already numbered and in the natural course
# events he must pass away from tins BUSY
scene. Those who in the latter days OF ms pfiae
Ind strength had stood up against him boldly anu
had even, in the excitement OF con-
test, permitted their opposition sometimes TO run IN
10 bitterness and who are still firmly as ever con-
vineed of the dangerous tendency Of his political
5opmas-are willing now, in his days of feebleness
and gloom, to pay the tribute to age and to distn-
gushed talents which they could not and would not
grant to towering ambition or false politics Inc
Democrats arc willing now in his last hours, to re-
member only those points in his history which re-
feet credit on his character as patriot and man,
and forget or pass those portions which, IN their
opinion cannot and will not bear scrutiny. Such is
the feeling by which Democrats are prompted-such
the spirit by which they guided in their present
course towards Mr. Clay, What shall we say of
the spirit in which they met by their political
opponents.-the spirit which taunts them with she'd
ding crocodile tears, with insincerity and with by
pocrisy We will let that pass. ltspeaks for ITSELF
and we shall turn to other matters and take hur-
red glance at the treatment which Mr.. Clay has re-
ceived from his party
he has been the very heart and soul, the Great
Embodiment of the Federalistic Wing, which, I'M
der the name of "Natonal Republicans" split off
from the Republican party in opposition to jackson,
and which has subsequently gone by he name of
the Wing party. His energy-ta1onts his courage
and his popularity, have enabled him to do for
that organization than any twenty other men in the
country-or it may be than all the Wing politicians
combined yet what return has he met With, what
has been the gratitude of his party! We all know,
and it would be folly in any to deny it. that the
most fond1y cherished dream of Mr. Clay's life has
been the Presidency of the United States Not hav-
ing entered upon, nor having been mixed up with,
any Of the earlier acts of the DRAMA we can speak
for ourselves only since 1910. How was Harry of
the West" treated them when from Mr. Van Bu-
rens PERSONAL unpopuarity and the terrible distress
es of the country, arising from disturbing causes at
home ard abroad, but more especially the bursting
of the Inflated bubble known the United States
Bank, the people were crazy for change and when
if ever there chance for the election of the
Wing idol .? We all know how he was treated
He was laid aside contemptuously and old gen.
tleman taken up in his place-a good old gentleman
to be sare-but no more to be compared with Henry
clay liEu we are tHlS SOOu1 DuG lHCOHIpelellt
! old man, Gen Harrison, elected. but from his
total macquaintance with the duties of his position
he became actually worried TO death by the rapacity
of Office seekers and died in month. This was the
best chance Mr.. Clay ever had for the Presidency
and his grateful party put him aside. In 1914, the
tide had turned it always arW turn after Wing
rule or attempted rule of four years--the chances
decidedly against MIR. Clay and, therefore, the
same grateful party nominated him, and he was beat
en-: 1840 was felt to be his last chance. He could
have no other That last chance snatched from
him and given to so!der-a mere soldier General
Taylor is dead and Will say nothing against
| him, beyond what his most discriminating friends
must admit-that however good General he might
| be- he made very poor President. In 1648. MIR
Clay's grateful and loving Wing friends sacrificed
him to expedency, and the name of slaughter
! house, as applied to the Philadelphia Convention
will not soon be forgotten And yet the very Whie
leaders and presses who thus behaved to MIR. Clay
their patron. their friend, their protector-by whom
as party, they lived, moved, and had their being
these the very men who talk of Democratic sym
pathy with Mr.. ClaJ being hollow and hypocritica
His policy and his opposed to the Demo
Gratis consequently they opposed them, and Mr.
Clay failed. SO far as the Democrats were concern
ed, he fell in fair fight: if foul play was resortec
! to- it was by his friends and his worst wound
have been from the :" fire in the rear