Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-03-25

speeding it. Not less than five candi-
dates, all of the same political patty,
have been proposed; and different opin-
ions, as to their respective qualifications,
exists throughout the confederacy. In
Virginia large proportion of theGener-
al ssembly have selected Mr.. Craw-
ford; but we, who are members of the
same body, prefer Mr.. Clay. The for
mer have announced their choice by an
electoral ticket, and we believe 1t lncum-
bent on us to do so likewise; not FOR the
unworthy purpose of vexatious opposi-
ton, but because we think Mr.. Clay
has the best claims to your favor, and
that TIPS our duty to state 1t to you,
with the grounds of our opinion. As
patriot, an orator, legislator and
statesman, Mr.. Clay has long been
conspicuous; and the puhhc employ
ments which have been occasionally
conferred upon him have all been con-
Quoted with honor and fidelity As
Speaker of the House OF Representa-
tives, he has been popular beyond ex-
ample; and when sent. by Government
to assist in the negotiations at Client,
his manly and successful resistance to
the British Commissioners, procured
him general esteem. But 4he distinguish
ed part which he took, in bringing to a
happy conclusion the dispute concern
ing the Missouri Question, hich threa-
tened to shake the Union to its centre,
is matter of the highest praise, and en-
titles him to the gratitude of the nation.
To Virginia bis election is particularly
interesting. Formerly the people OF the
western states looked upon this as the
country of their forefathels, and felt the
veneration incident to that relation; but
late events have produced some little
excitement, which, it is the interest oil
both parties to exsinguish; and nothing
is more likely to effectit, than the cleo
ton of the favorite candidate OF the
west by the cooperation of the parent
state, as it viii crafty laudable ambi-
ton in them, and be regarded as
mark Of renewed affection in us. Be
sides, Mr.. Clay is himself a Nlrglnian:
born and educated among us--he has
imbibed our principles, and has always
been devoted to the land of his nativity.
Two measures only, of all his pohtl-
.callife, have eve. been objected to IN
Virginia his supp ort of the bill for IN
ternal improvements, and that Tor the
increase of the tariff. Doth questions OF
difficulty, and concerning which, there
is much diversity Of opinion Throughout
the United States, great majority OF
congress think both measures correcti
and that ought, at least, to produce some
hesitation.4 before the. individual who
supports them is condemned to displea-
sure. For ourselves, we can never be
brought to. blame a representative OF
the people Cor declaring his opinions
honestly upon the floor of congress;
especially when those opinions com
eide with the sentiments of his irnmedi7
ate constituents, who consider it as his
duty to maintain them: on the contra
ry, his fidelity in that respect, Is a
pledSe for his integrity, if intrusted with
the affairs of the nation-But if those
measures be an objection to Mr.. Clay,
his competitors are Involved IN the de-
nunciations; for they are known to APP
prove of both systems; and the only
difference is, that Mr. Clay, according
to the frankness of his characters open
" ayow it, but his rivals choose that it
should be disclosed by their friends
One word more, and we confide the
subject to your deliberation. Mr. Clay
has been at all times an undertaking re-
publican Born with innate hatred to
arbitrary government, and instructed,
by Chancellor Wythe, in the science
of free Institutions, he cordially coales-
ced with the republican party of, 1898,
whose principles were cengenial to his
own, and from which he has never, un-
der any pretext, departed--at no period
has he ever been parleying with his con-
science, or approving the administra-
ton which preceded the triumph OF re-
publicanisnl. Faithful to his own par
ty, he has never belonged to any other;
nor countenanced the. proceedings OF
his political adyersaries. Such are the
circumstances which, in our opinion,
place Henry Clay upon pre-eminent
ground; and therefore we venture to
recommend him to you as the properest
person to fill the Office of President of
the United States, and to mention the
following gentlemen as fit persons to be
chosen as ,.g
ELECTORS,