Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-09-04
Mr.. CLAY IN CINCINNATI.
Col, DAVIES ADDRESS.

congratulations for that degree oil improvement
in yonr health, which has permitted you 10 ac-
cept our invitation, we earnestly hope That us
complete restoration may enable you long to
continue in public life, the able advocate OF mat
system which claims you for its most dlstin"
guisned supporter, & while must form the basis
sc our courtry's future prosperity. Many oil
MS have known YOU from your first entrance into
public life We have seen you, In your adopt
ed state, al an early period, the hrm advocate
of freedom and equal rights. 10 the councils
Of The nation, we have witnessed your efforts to
elevate the character aud advance the interests
sf the west; and in al places we have found you
an enlightened Statesman, devoted to your
country, and to the cause OF human liberty
Your talents have commanded our admiration,
your integrity our esteem, and we ieei our at
,aehment 10 YOU more firmly ccmenled, by the
violent attacks made upon your public conduct
BY ambitious and disappointed men, who do not
themselves believe 10 be true the charges they
have made against you. These attacks have
indeed been violent, "hut you have been endoW-
ed with powers OF resistance which nave eha,
bled YOU successfully to avert their force-and
we trust that the Almighty VIII yet spare you
and us, 10 witness The triumph OF ttta; cause
which we hope he has merciful!y decreed, and
with which we solemnly believe the permanent
safety ofour institutions, and the prosperity oil
our couu,ry, are intimately associated.
| will only add, sir, our best wishes Tor your
health and happiness, and that your able en-
beavers 10 promote the best Interests oil our
free and happy country may be completely sue
cessful, and her prosperity secured by a wise
ard prudent administration OF her government.
Mr.. CLAY'S REPLY.
Mr.. Chairmaa:-Athougn it is not entirely
sonpsiihle Nth tae- pa Sanisoas, whash' are en-
which YOU have SO ObhSngiy alluded, 10 pre-
sent myself in this attitude, Cannot refrain
from making public EXPRESSION 10 you, and 10
my fellow citizens here assembled, OF my pro-
found acknowledgements for the hesrly welcome,
and the cordial, spontaneous and enthusiastic
manifestation of respcc, and attachment, with
which nv presen, visit 20 your city has been al
tended ], has been frequently, but not 'e,s truly
said, that the highest reward for public service,
is the appreciation ofihe public. The support
ofpS bic oplnion, is the grea estincentiVe tn the
faithful and beneficial discharge Of official duly
Ifas you have truly Suggested, II his been my
misfortune for several years, to have been abus-
ed and assailed without example; have never
,hcless had The satisfaction 10 have been cheer.
ed aud sustained, in all parts OF the Union, by
some Of ;he hes, and most virtuous men IN H.
And seizs with pleasure, this occasion, TO say,
that ever among NV political opponents, many
Of the moderate and most intelligent, have done
me the Justice 10 disCredit aud dlscountenance
the calun,nies of witch have been the ooJec;.
But no where have found more constant, ar
dent, and effective friends, than in this CITY,
thank them most heartily Tor ali their irieho'
" sentiments and eXertions.
Whatever may be the issue Of the contest
which, al present, unhappily divides and dis
tracts our county, trust that the beneficial sys-
tenn to which you have referred will survive the
struggle, and continue 10 engage The affections
ard to cheer and animate the industry Of the
people Of the U States. 1t has indeed been re
Gently attac ked la another quarter ot the Union,
by some Of our fellow citizens, with aarshness
and iDIemperance, whic h mu ST every where eX>
cite the patriots regret. II has been denounc-
ed as if il were a new system that sprung into
existence bu, yesterday, or at least with the pre-
sent Administration, il not during the last ses-
sion Of Congress But it owes its origin 10
much earlier date. Tbs present Administers
ton, though sincerely attar he'd 10 1t, and mos.
anxious for its pre- servation, has not The merit
OF having FIRST proposed or hrst established H.
The manufacturing system was quick.neG into
existence by the commercial restrictions which
preceded the late War with Great Britain, and
by that greatest Of them all, the War ITSELF
Our wants no longer supplied from abroad,
mus, have been supplied at home, or we must
have been deprived OF the neoessaries and
comforts Of civilization, if we had not relapsed
into state Of barbarian. The policy Of Jeff
erson and Madison ios cred, if i, did not create
the manufactures Of our country. The peace
broue hi with il glut OF foreign Fabrics, which
would have Frustrated our establishments, il
government had been capable Of unjustiy Wit
Messing such spectacle, without interposing
It's protective power Protection therefore was
no, merely called Tor by the substantial inde-
neudence Of our country. but II was parental
duty Of government 10 those oitizrns who had
been tempted by its restrictive policy 10 en-
bark all their hopes and fortunes in The business
of manufacturing Twelve years ago Congress
took up me subject and, after long and mature
deliherstion, solsmn!y decide 10 extend that
measure of protection which was alike de-