Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-05-27
Grsstoe1tti9c.
FROM THE wAsnINGrov SENTINEL
MIR. CLAY.

of the general opinion Of Europe, and
other countries respecting Henry Clay
1t is undoubtedly of most essential
Importance that the individual who shall
be elevated to the next Presidency, be,
not only man whose abilities shall sus-
tain America, and be appreciated by his
fellow citizens; but, also one whose re-
putation and character shall be felt and
acknowledged by foreign nations, par
ticularly by those of Europe. The
leading states of Europe with whom we
are more Immediately in communities
lion, are Great Britain, France, Russia,
Holland, and Spain. The conduct of
the governments of these countries, will
certainly be much influenced in their
procedure towards the United States, by
the sentiments which they form of the
energy, talents, political sagacity, and
republican devotion and irmness OF our
President. Letthese two considerations
be continually kept in yiew--who is the
most efficient man to regulate the IN
fernal and external destikies OF our
country? Who is the most capable Of
promoting at home the resources, the
1nbounded resources OF our land, and
of promoting abroad the dignity of our
mighty federal republic of asserting
Its rights, should they ever be asseiled;
and of producing from previous expe-
aience, in the minds of European states
men, decided conviction, that they
mustnot presume to infringe these rights
withoutimmediate observation-disclosures
10 every measure incompatible with the
honor of America.
The United States have assumed
Totally different rank in the estimation
of foreign nations, since the last war
with Great Britain. Their attitude is
that of high commanding power, seat
ed on a lofty eminence, around which
their Eagle hovers with ightnings flash
sng from his eve, and thunders rolling
from his clouds; around which The stars
of America glitter in splendor ''un-
quenched, unquenchable." Were ano-
4her war to ensuo in Europe, which of
the belHgerent marauders would now
presume to search her vessels to drag
frseborn Americans, peaceabiy aaviga-
ting the highp ay of nations, into their
hated service, and conhscate her ships
and property at their sovereign will and
pleasure? Her alliance is now courted
and her enmity dreaded by those who
once heaped every insult upon her flag
and honor. To maintain and uphold
this ascendsncy, to propel the rising
greatness OF our country, 20 give a tone
and weight to all its foreign transactions,
will, in the present crisis of Europe, be
more particularly the business of our
next President than at any former pc
liod of our history. Who of all the pre-
sent candidates for the Presidential
chair is mostEkely to perform their du-
= flies and to obtain these results3 Who
is the most likely to receive the respect
olioreign powers, and increase cur ex-
pending glory2 liEvRY CLAY.
To avoid any Misrepresentation, whilst
we are more particularly examining his
claims with reference to foreign states,
we do not thereby mean for singh
moment, that it should be inferred that
bis domestic claims-his claims IN eve
ny section of the Union--are inferior to
ai> foreign, OF those of the other caudl-