The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-08-12
From the Lexington (Ky.) {
HON. JAMES Is. CLAY.

The issue Of the recent congressional election IN this
district ncucates valuable lessons which partisan
leaders and editors would do well to ponder and remem-
Der 1t argues for the people intelligence, a firm
ness of purpose and discrimination between right and
wrong not accredited them by demagogues and rabble-
rouser Temporary settlements and appeals the lower
passions Of men may for time warp the Judgment and
lead atray the popular mind But there in the great
heart Of the instructive Of justice and
perception of right which, the return of the sober
second thought fails to correct past and
visit the heads of designing leaders just condemna-
ton The wild delirium of passion and prejudice may
c time blind the great truths but the storm
must soon pass and calm reason win eventually resume
her sway
This contest has been between great principles ss-
tanned by national party and the unconstitutional ea-
of personal faction In behalf of the one the
Der Judgment the intelligence and patriotism Of the peo
pie have been addressed in calm dispassonac argument
To advance the other the most humiating appeals to
passion, partisan anmosities and personal sympathes
have been relied upon. Upon our side the people have
been called upon to sustain the constitution, the ribu-
nails Of the land, and the laws Upon the other they
have been besought to uphold the exponent of crushed
faction out of pure compassion and out Of regard to old
political associations
Personal deraction, malignant abuse, and unlimited
vfcation exces for the object sympathy rather than
prejudice. IL has been SO in this No ever
conended in the political with such violent person
al assaults and for less cause than Hon James b Clay.
The vocabulary Of abuse has been exhausted against
him. But sustained by conscious recttudc of purpose
and firm conviction that tho position he had taken
and the course he pursued that which would
rebound to tho high interests of his country he
has gone before the people, and bidding defiance
to his calmniatos has submitted his to the
est Their verdict has been of emphatic APP
probation and he stands to-day high in the estimation
Of his ellowcitizens that the yells Of party hounds will
not again reach his As in the dark hour of ADVERSE
ty he depsed their malignant abuse neither he his
friends in this the hour Of his proud vindcaton
spond to their persistent deraeton. He has sought
place Office for Office sake But obedent to the call OF
the people, he has seized their standard and borne it
to victory despite the bitter opposition of personal
Regarding election by the people endorsement
his course by his fcow-citizens and verdict of well
done from the hearts Of those with whom he has acted
and with whose interests his identified he declined
high Office and before the honest masses for pre-
ferment. The people have thrown around him mantle
Of love- and raised before him ags of protection
from which the shafts of caluny must hencefort re-
bound upon his slanderers. His yndication has been
complete his honor great, but noby has he his a,-
e and worthy has he proven himself of the proud po-
sion