Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-31
MIR. CLAY'S ADDRESS.


calculated to advance the true interest and honor of
his country,
Mr.: CIAT rose and said, in substance.
thank you, Mr.. President, and a of my fellow
citizens here assembled for the fattering sentiment
just drank. private citizen, from distant though
kindred State with no claims to friendly attentions
but such as proceed from long, ardnous, and faithful
public SERVICE find myself here the honored object
of extraordinary demonstrations of respect and at
tachment, and ofthe most distinguished hospitality
Accept pray you, my grateful Acknowledgements
for these highly valued testimonies. They are wor-
thy ofthe generous hearts which have prompted them
and they have made deep and lasting impression on
mine. am sensible, at the same time, that your
feelings have influenced your estimate of my public
service. That have ever been guided, during the
whole period of its duration, by the anxious desire to
advance the true interest and honor of my country is
most tIuc; but dare not hattcr myself with the be-
lief that every act of my public life has mad that
effect.
The prominent measures of the General Govern
mont in which have participated are the late war
with TREAT Britain; the peace Of Client, by which it
was concluded; the recognition of Spanish American
Independence; The cause of Internal improvements;
the settlement OF the Missouri questions; the protection
OF american industry; and most of the important
public transactions of the last four years. look
blck up1a my agency OH those various occasions,
With entire satisfaction and without the slightest
feeling of se!t-reproach. And now quit the public
councils OF our country without personal regret
growing out OF the part which have, Mt auy time
acted in public affairs. have often indeed sincere
~ regretted the necessity which have felt mysefun
DER OF differing from friends and fellow ctizeus for
whom entertained the greatest respect and esteem
quit the public councils, not only without any per
sona regret but with the highest OF all human con-
soiatlons-thae which is not only superior to any
other, but the want of which cannot be compensated
by the united possession of all others--wh;ch les
deeply embosoned in the heart beyond the reach of
human nlusice-the consciousness Of havnp faithfully
z,aiously, and constantly discharged my public du-
ties.
The honest, experienced, and enIiphtenJ 81 ties
man. VINO was lately charged with the Chief Mag
!s1racy, and those who were associated with him in
ms administration, carry with them into retirement
other cheering consultations. Thay carry with them
the blessings and the appreciation Of large and res
Pecta6e part OF the wise Gn the good of the Amer
ie1n pubic Fhay carry with them the proud satis-
factlcn OF having transferred the Executive Govern
ment nom their hands to those of their appointed
Successors, with the Republic in the highest state of
prosperity.
During the administration of that il,ustr;ous I'm,
prosecuted cit6en, the hoaor and the riuhts of the
nation have been maintained abroad whilst at home
al Our great domestic interests have been fostered
and improved
they leave the Government without a speck of
w ar M tn political horizon at peace and in friendly
intefcourse with nll nations. During their admins
traton, many treaties founded upon the most liberal
and enlightened principles of friendship commerce
and avigation have been formed. The conclusion
OF several o these has been sought the Seat of the
faherai government where, during the last four
years more have been actually signed than had been
during the th,rty-SIX previous years of the existence
ofour present Constitution. Whilst ceaseless On
position has discovered real or imaginary objections
TO almost every important measure of the late Adj
nst1aton, these treaties have not only escaped all
ann1dVcrsion, but have commanded unanimous an
probation Our relations with Great Britain espe
cially-tffat great power with which we come in con-
,act ana collision IN SO many points, on sea and on
Iand-are perfectly friendly; and bear with pleasure
my testimony tn he conviction that the British Gov
eminent, equally with all the Foreign Governments
desires to cultivate peace and friendship with us
one VIII adhere as sometimes prehaps she has, in
rJUn liz.
but believe her to be animated, present bv sin
cere wish tor the preservation of peace And horr,
that her example, in maintaininr national rirht iii
not be lost upon
If we withdraw our attention from Foreion statce
anu erect 1t to the internal condition of our country
we behold abundant of patriotic f;,Iictation
Under the late Administration, the Constitution ms
oee nVfoaby respected, and the laws faithfully ey-
ecuted Our extensive Notifications have been nearly
completed, and important additions and improvements
nave been madeto our gallant Navy, that safe and lust
ly cherished arm of the national defence Pho PnhIc
Debt has rapidly melted away, by the aid of an m
diminished revenue, steadily andeconomicallv appIied
so rapidly as to place the day ofits entire extinc-
on near at hand and to give rise to wild propositions
Tor distributing the surplus, which will soon not be
Wantedto fulhl our engagements. Our American
SystGJn, which was ut once both to DESTROY fnreign
commerce, and to dry up the sources of public In
come, has disappointed all the predictions nf;t ~
ana assures US OF the speedy arrival of the day when
our National Independence will he consunSroote cd
ahe manufactures of our country have nov strncL
sncn deep and strong root that the hand of violence
iseif can scarcely tear up and destroy them Their
twla-slster, Internal improvements, has not been
neglected. Large and liberal appropriations in everv
part ofthe Union, have been made to that bene6cen
object.
Such are some of the fruits of the late abused Nd
Innlsratlon Whilst, throughout its whole progrese i
was assailed by bitter vigant INTELLIGENT nd now
erful opposition, members ofwhich were not wantin
TO avow readiness to condemn either ofthe alterna
tVes, IN public measures, which were presented to
the Executive choice.
majority of the people of the United States. in
thc exercise Of the highest of human privileges has
decreed transfer of power fran the hands which
lately held ID to those of one of our fellow citizens
who enjoys greater share of their affection md
confidence. This change was personal, and NOT in
IaDdC1 bo On of polic H.,