The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-09-22
General CIark's Attack on President Polk

In the comments on General Clark's speech with
which we accompanied lis insertion in our paper, we
deemed most prudent TO coune remarks 10 his at
tempt to hold the cabinet and not the President respoa
sble for alleged errors OF policy There is nothing
ia that mode OF assailing administration; but its re-
snlt is necessarily uniiom-t lead to other con
sequences in the end than dsaecon and dssenson in
the party We recur now General Clarks speech for
the purpose Of dschargng duty the memory Of Pres
iden Polk and to repel unjust and unprovoked
attack upon bis administrative policy. In attempting to
trace the history Of The deecons in the democratic par
ty, General Clark said:
"Mr Polk through certain influences cmanating from
this State thea undertook the Hercnean task Of uniting
the party by rewarding ttaofs and from that day Tor
heresy has taken the pacs Of the true faith and error
has been coequa with unth'
1t s no easy matter TO entertain the idea that General
Clark was mpeled by personal considerations 10 attach
to the administration OF MIR Polk the odum OF having
laid the foundation OF the present discussions in New
York by besiowinE his patronage on "iraitors" To
those who are apprzsd Of the fact that General Clark
was an applicant to President Polk for a high and
sponsble military position during the Mexican war, and
that his failure 10 obtain il was deeply woundnE To bis
ambitious feelings, the graui,ous character OF the attack
might excite suspicion that its motive was unworthy Of
his standing General Clark speaking 10 New
York audience, and the subject which engaged his at
,enon was the unfortunate dissensons in the democratic
party OF thai State Ii he meant that Mr. Polk rewarded
rsisors in his appointments in New York, and thereby
that heresy has taken the place Of the faith in that
State becomes interesting inquiry 10 ascertain who
the traitos" were that thus rewarded II our in.
formation is not incorrect General Clark himself ope
xxho tnk infO his ipet
by Mr. Polk Does he tha, Gov. Marcy
warded by Mr.. Polk ,raor' II we recolleci right
", i, was MI Polk who appointed Mr. Clinton ecehtIy
nominated by General Clarks friends at Syracuse
their tckeD to the Office of district attorney in New
York. Was Mr.. Clinton rewarded by MIR. Polk
",raitor p Did Mr. Polk reward Mr.. Lawrence as col.
lector and Mr.. Hoffman naval officer, traitors :"
Bat we need not extend specifications II Gen. Clstk
mean, 10 base his charge against Mr. Polk appoint.
men,s made 10 New York. justice TO the living and the
dead required that he shoeld designate the "traors
Every man who held Office under Mr. Polk is interested
in knowing TO whom General Clark alluded.
The charge il couched in general terms and therefore
may have been designed TO characterize Mr. Folks gene.
raj policy II 80, the enormiiy OF the charge is vastly
increased We shall not undertake to conjecture The sp.
pca,ion which General Clark intended 10 make, but as
friend Of Mr.. Polk, and one who is proud Of his adj
minis,ra,ion we repe the charge utterly unfounded
impu,es TO that deceased patriot motives which be
incapable OF entertaining He had aversion treason
in every FORM which brands the charge baseless.
The brilliant success which crowned his administration
and which enabled him to establish permanently demo-
cratic measures and TO elevate the character OF
eminent at home and abroad rses up rebuke and de-
nounee The charge that such results effected by
.csrdag traitors Ii may compou with General Cark's
views OF justice and policy 10 indulge in such wan,on
and groundless accusations against those distinguished
patriots who have devoted their lives 10 the Of de-
moofacy and left behind them irreproachabe names as
an inheritance TO dose ccmng after them, but are
very sure that he will end such assaults upon Nr Polk
contributing nothing 10 restoration OF harmony and
union in the democratic ranks Of New York