Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-02-02
Ms. CLAY -MERlrED TRIBUTE.


called on Mr.. Clay, TO tender him their good
feelings and respects. and 10 assure him, that
chcy were not unmiadful OF The bcricits they
had derived through his hands, and bis Efforts
There was nothing like ~serviIi'y in this; they
Did 10, bow down and worship a man, or a
political idol they simply manifested their re-
gard, as men should do, for a man WHO had
rcsnsc!ia,cd their once PROSTATE prospects. and
onconrag ed them. by iniasing new hopes, and
nsv .oclinga
MI. Niles of Baltimore, as we arc Informed,
made a brief Introductory address 20 the Sec
rotary in behalf Of his friends, to which the
Secretary, although, taken ~ surprise, return
cd q cordial reply, in his usually ~icl.c:,ous ard
e~!oqucat manner.
This denomination Of good fodlings, on tic
patt Of the manufa cturers, could not but be
very acceptable and grateful TO the feelings Of
sIr. CLAY, for willis, il displayed the good
intentions, and honorable attachment ofgen-
ilcmea, whose friendship, and whose support
arc worth iaving,r and it afforded him strong evil
USlEg, III tNc iIlluSI VI llC ECihi'ti 'SihISo'S
that war around him, tina. his eoun,ryn,cn are
not d!sponi 10 desert him, TO the rage Of his
enemies, or 10 withhold from bin ,,hat need Of
'praisc 10 which lie is go fairly uud so justly cn-
tElel.
Mn. Clay, Is rot now before the world, as
a candidate for the high Office, for which he
xas omen an honorable a~spirant, aud there
forc, We can speak of him freely and c%andidly,
without being accused Of looking forward for
Che attainment of political ends and dogmas.
II there ever was 4 man III this nation, who
mGritcl tho gratitude Of tho manufacturing in
e~rrsis, and The support Of tho whole people,
chat man is Henry Clay; and so well satisfied
arc we of the good feelings Of tho American
people, that VIC do not bslie,e, they will,
in uny event, withhold from him their support
aud patronage, SO long as he continues to MGR
It both, as honestly as he does nov.
Mr.. Clay, as the author Of iho Amercan
System, for the protc ction Of American Man
uflctures, ranks as the champion Of his cause,
and but for his extraordinary excrtions, perse-
veranco. unequailed eloqucncc. and fearless
Independence, it is not probable, that the
American Cotton Spindle, would even at this
day. have been enabled TO support itself, and
c1st aside European opposition and rivalry.
The heads Of former administrations, if.hcy
were not violently hostile to tho c.usc Of Man
cfactures. were far from being its advocates;
and after they had been appealed to, tine out
If mind, ant been told in tae most emphatic
tanguagc. that without their protecting caro-,
American Manufactures coni2 not exist, sill
they turned a deaf car to the complaints of
Geir appellants, and colby said TO them in
teiurn, let -Four workshops be in Eluopc;-
heaven never intended that man should be a
slave, or that a woman, should be doomed 10
tho spinning wheel" Whilst principles like
these were advanced. and doctrines so far at
variance, and at war, with the true interests
ind wealth of tie nation, were z~ealously pro-
uagated, and enforced by men, who stood high
in the calendar of a nations statesmen at o
time when he who advocated tho cause of the
A,netican Msnufa %cturer, was looked upon as
q Zoo to his country. il not guilty Of overt acts
6r ire ason-at an hour, whom no man dared to
Tsp q word in favor oftho cotton spindle, Mr..
Clay came boldly forward, aud risking his
pbpalarity. and his already acquired fame.
smiloj at tho im~pedin:ents that presented
Gncuselves 10 oppo~, him, and took a stand.
equally firm and decided, and PRO we'd to the
satisfaction of the people, that whilst wo i'm
-pnzt our fabricks from europe, wc never cau
he independent. So well convinced OF this
'tfuAm, wera tho American people, tina, in the
end, they adopted the views Of tie Sec.
rotary Of State, and on che basis Of bis yiows
was founded that System for the protection o
ie Industry Of the nation, which h,S result,
n our present happy condition, and state o
Independence and prosperity.
Fortunately .sr Mr.. Clay, ADD fortunately
Is or tho coure in which he has boon so lons
sud So jealousy engaged, it cannot be said o
HIM, that he assumed the course he DID assume
from sinister motives, ana FROM a. capoe.a
ton Of gaining popularity. For had he court
ed popular favour. and sought for golden opiu
ious from all sorts of men, bc would hav,
feasusd with tho plarSsIo Of the South, an,
ahs commercial me' q TIE north, both o
which description Of citizens wcrc v~iolcntl
hostile 70 American Manufactures, and soush
their psosi.ation pnd snDilliliti0n.
svte.lh Speech of,hc If,n Jan .Ranlo'vs
0snske. Mafch, 1900