Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-03-12
HENRY CLAY.

HEM CLA1.
At meeting of the Members Of the Viz
ginia Legislature, favorable to the Election of
Henry Clay, TO the Office Of President of the
United States, at Richmond, March Q, 1894,
twas
Resolred, That Hector Davis, Of the III. of
ID. and Edwin s. Duncan. of the Sen. be APP
pointed Committee tn frame suitable add
dress To the People of Virginia, assigning TIT.
reasons of this meeting for its preference of
Henry Clay, for the office of President of the
United States: And that the same Commit
lee do frame an Electoral Ticket and also
name suitable persons 10 constitute IA Central
Committee, in the City OF Richmond, whu
shall be empowered tn communicate to the
Electors proposed 10 be- chosen. their selec-
hon and, In the event of any OF said Electors
declining To ACT, To- nominate such other per
sons as hey may deem proper aud also, TO
appoint, Unnecessary, Corresponding Commit
tees in the different counties Of this Common.
wealth. But III adopting thiscoursr, any inten.
'ion 10 array one portion of the State against
another IS dsclaimed-its only effect will be.
by widening the field of selection, 10 afford
10 the people ofVirginia, the opportunity of
making TIE best choice under circumstances
that may possibly occur.
The Committee appointed to prepare an
address, and 10 frame an Electoral Ticket and
Central Committee, submitted the following.
which was adopted and ordered 10 be publish
ed.
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.
Although IA minority only of the LepisIa.
lure, we feel ourselves bound tn communicate,
our sentiments upon the subject of The an
preaching Presidential election which we re-
gard as an event of the highest Importance
and think that the fullest information in orr
power Ia afoid, ought 10 be laid before Won
respecting it. Not less than five candidates.
all % the same political party, have been pro-
posed and different opinions, AS 10 their res
pectNe qualifications, exist throughout the
c"n,edrracy- In Virginia large proportion
oi the General Assembly have selected Air.
Crawford; hut we, who are members OF the
same body, prefer Dir. Clay The former
nave announced their choice by an electoral
ticket, and we believe it incumbent on Ms To
do so likewise nat for the unworthy purpose
OF veXallous opposition, hnt brcaus. we think
Mr.. Clay has the best claims Ia your favor.
and that it is our duty 10 state il TO you, with
the grounds Of our opinion. As n patriot. an
orator, legislator and statesman, Nlr. Clay
h"S ionS heen conspicuous ; and the public
empioyments which have been occasionally
conferred upon him have all been conducted
with honor and fdety-As Speaker of the
House OF Representatives, he has been popu-
lar "eyond example; aud when sent by Go
verDmrnt To assist in The M goiiations at
uhtni, Ills manly and successful resistance to
'"e british commissioners, procured him gen
erai esteem. But The distinguished part which
he took, IN bringing TO a happy conclusion
hr dispute concerning the Missouri Cues
Ion' which threatened 10 shake the Uni
on l" ITS centre, is matter fthe highest praise,
.ho entities HIM 10 the gratitude of.the ma
lion. To Virginia his election il particularly
interesting. Formerly the people of the west
ern siaies looked apOn this a the country of
their .ioretathrrs and felt the veneration Incl
GEM 10 mat relation; Tut late events have
produced some little excitement, which il is
lie interest Of both parties to extIneuish and
nothing is more likely 10 el, CT il, Than the
tiertion of the fav"rile candidate of the west
ny the CO operation 1f the parent state, az it
VIII crafty laudabie ambition in them, aud
De regarded as mark OF renewed rllt elton
IN us Besides, Mr.. Clay is himself a Vr-
S'nlan horn and educated among us-he has
'mh'bcd our principles, and has always been
devoted TO the land of his nativity. Two mea-
sures only, of al his political life, have ever
nern objected 90 in Virginia-his support of
tht OH Tor internal iippio, ements and that
Tor The Increase of the tariff. Both questions of
d'isrulty, d.ld concerning which, there il
much diversity of opinion throughout the u.
STATES A great ma jority of congress think
pom measures correct and that ought, at
hasi, toprodrce some hesitation, before the
iid,idua who supports them is CONDEMNED
I" dispeasUre. For ourselves, we can never
be brought IT. blame representative Of the
people for declaring his opinions honestly up
Oh the floor of congress; especially when
'hose Opinions coincide with the sentiments
"i uls immediate constituents, who consider il
as his duty In maintain them on the contra
ry, his fidelity in thai respect is a pledge for
his integrity, if intrusled with the affairs Of
the naiion.--Bui if those measures be- an OBJ
jcc'ion % Nj. Clay, his competitors are in
vowed IN the deDuncaiou; for they are
known to approve of both systems; and the
Only difference is, that Mr. Clay, according
to the trankness of his character, openly a.
VOWS II, but his rivals choose that il should
be dIsclosedb their friends. One word more,
and we coo!ide the subj, to Your drlbera-
tlon. Mr.. Clay has been al all times an unJe-
'iaiing republican. Born with innate haired to
arbitrary government, and instructed, BY
Chancellor Wyihr, IN the scienc. Of free in
siItutions, he cordially coaIesced with the re-
publican party Of 1893, whose principles we're
conSenlal TO his own, aud frOr4 which he has
never, under any pretext, departed at no
period has he ever been parleying with his
conscience, or approving the administration
which preceded the triumph of republican
ism Faithful TO his own party, he has never
beIonged to amy other; nor cuunlenaDced the
proceedings OF his political universities. Such
are the circumstances which, in our opinion.
place Henry Clay upon pre-eminen, ground
and iherciAre we venture to recommend him
to you as the properrst person To Gil the Office
OF President fthe United States, and TO men
tion the following gentlemen as fiji persons 10
be chosen as
ELECTORS: