The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-09-15
CHAS. ELLIOTT.

Most respectfully,
CHAS. ELLIOTT,
Editor Of the Westera Christian Advocate.
CINCINNATI, O., Sept. /, '55.
The President Checked.
! President Pierce subjected his popularity
and fame to a severe test, among the first
| families Of Virginia, the other day, by ap-
pearing at a fashionable watering place in a
checked shirt!
Some of the papers of the Old Dominion
think he ''forgot the dignity Of his station =
and others exclaim, show would Washing
ton have looked in check or parti- colored
shirt 20
The Baltimore Patriot, however, comes
bravely to the rescue. That paper saws:
"We contend that the checked shirt eyinced.
not merely propriety. but manifest pro-
prietv. 1t was a natural executive out
growth-it was part and parcel of all that
had preceded tit was, in fine, check. or
parti-colored, because ii could not be other
wise. The administration is check, or parti
celored--the bombardment Of Greytown was
a check shirt affair. 1t was Bowerv exploit.
and might have been followed after each
braadside by collation. Of peanuts and bot
tied beer. The ministerial and consular an
pointments, with but few exceptions, indica-
ted check shirt policy. The Kansas
troubles are, altogether, the result of check
shirt eounses. The Cuban backing and
flling-the Utah nominations and retractions
and the exemplary forays into northern
and southern Mexico, all indicate that the
ruling principle by which our government il
actuated is that Of check shirt.
1t is for this thorough consistencv-this
firm determination neither to SNAKE broad
his phylactery," nor to rise, even for a mo-
ment, above his appropriate level, that we
honor President Pierce. He never surprises
us by aiming at great things, nor are we as
tonished at his successful accomplishment Of
little ones. True to his antecedents. his adj
ministratiye policy eschews frills, furbelows
and standing collars. Pinchbeck jewelry is.
however, admissible, and with check shirts.
and their cogeners, are the appropriate SYM
bols OF what will be significantly denomina-
ted in after times, 1.-The Pierce policv.o
For our part we so admire this Bowery
fashion, that We should be gratifed to learn
that the President, his cabinet, and all pub
nc officers, We're not merely placed in check
themselves, but were absolutely checkmated
MR. CLAy-WHAr He SArD.-For some
months past, the Freesoil and Anti-Slavery
papers have been circulating the following
paragraph, asserting that 1t contains q senti
ment once uttered by Kentucky's greatest
statesman, Henry Clay. 1t purports to be
language used by him
II repeat 1t, sir, never can and never will.
and no earthly power will make me vote di
rectly or indirectly to spread Slavery over
any territory where it does not exist Never
While reason has IA seat in my bran--neyer
while my heart sends the vital fluid through
my brain-nerer.''
We do not believe that Henry CLAY eyer
used such language or uttered such senti-
ment. We have carefully examined all the
published speeches and addresses of that
great man, and have industriously inquired
OF those who would probably remember if he
had ever expressed himself in this manner.
but We have been unable to find any author
lty for attributing to him expressions so in
consistent with all his acts and opinions, Ell
ther recorded or emembered.-( Louisville
Journal.
The Cleveland Herald gives quietus TO
tins assertion Of the Journal, as follows:
Mr.. Clay, IN his speech on the Compromise
Resolutions, Feb. 5th and 9th, 1850, uttered
the following sentiments, tsse Congressional
Globe, vol. %, par |, page 1861
II have said that never could vote for il
myself, and repeat that never can. md
never will vote, and no earthly power will
ever make me vote, to spread slavery over n
territory where it does not exist
The Cincinnati Gazette however. clinches
the matter as far as the Louisville Journal IL
concerned. Its editor says:
We have before us the Biography of Hem
ry Clay" written by George ID. Prentice.
Esq, the distinguished editor Of the Journal.
II was published in ls31-in which, page 26G.
ii is written
sSiayery in the abstract Mr.. CLAW views
with unmingled adherence. He Justly cam
slders It monster Of evil-a deadly vampire.
drawing away the lfe-blood Of the republic
:. Again, on page go, Mr.. Prentice saws that
Mr. Clay was opposed to slavery in all it's
The MocKINc BlkD.-It is doubted by ma
ny that the mocking-bird will initiate tho
sounds OF instruments in playing tunes, or
the whistllng OF man. The other evening.
We mad most convincing proof Of the ability
OF these wonderful birds in this regard. x
negro boy WAS going along the streets whis-
thing a we'll known Ethiopian melody. md
when he passed, knocking bird, confined in
cage near by, as if emulous to surpass his
sable rival, burst forth with the same tune.
and whistledit with the finest taste and exc
cutlon, throwing in besides, little operate
quavers and trills with admirable effect. II
Was certainly the most brilliant musicnlvper-
iormance in the whistling line we have ever
heard, and the tones were an exact imitation
OF those OF the human animal. At the con-
clusion OF the air, the bird whistled up the
dogs, cackled like q hen and cawed like a
crow, de-, and when we puckered up our
poor blower, and ran UP and down the gamut.