Litchfield enquirer., 1829-04-09
SLIPPER TO MIR. CLAY.

At the Supper gwen tO NIT CLAE ny tue Mechanics of Hagerstown, Md. at which up- . wards of 200 persons participated, the follow ing toast was given:
 HENRY CLAY-The enlightened statesman and accomplished orator: the. friend of the laborer and mechanic Let his slanderers be- ware! he who strikes the chiSeL on the wrong end, may cut his own fingers.
 After the bursts of applause, with which this toast was received, had subsidized, Mir. Clay rose and said:
 MT. President and Fellow Citizens:
 regret that I feel but too sensibly the want at this moment, of one of the qualities which your partiaty has attributed to me, in the sentiment just drank wish that real ly possessed the powers of an orator, that might justly describe the grateful feelings which now animate me.
 received. with the greatest satisfaction, the invitation with which the mechanics of Ha- gerstown and its vicinity, honored me to this supper; and the warm hearted and cordial reception which they have given me will be long remembered with the liveliest emotions. Testimonies of confidence and attachment from no portion of my fellow citizens are more highly appreciated by me than those which are rendered by the class to which you belong. In4the circle of human society, no class is more useful, none more deserving of public support and encouragement. na- ton may possess the advantages of a genial climate and fertile soil, its granaries may be full to overflowing, its fields may teem with the finest fOcks, it may abound in all the va ried productions of the earth; but if the arts are not introduced and successfully cultiva- ted, or if they are suffered to languish for the want of due encouragement, that nation can not be comfortable, great and powerful, nor, l will add. independent.
 It was this reflection that prompted me long ago to enlist under tbe flag, bearing the in- scription of Domestic Manufactures and In ternal Improvements, which aderns the wall behind me. The nation wisely adopted the policy and the nation is now reapng the rich harvest of the forecast of Congress. Is there, in this wide spread country, patriotic heart that does not swell with pride at the contemplation of the rapid progress of the arts, and the high degree of perfection which they have already attained, under the foster ing care of government? And yet he must be an inexperienced or sleeping mariner who does not see gathering storm that threatens. at no distant day. to destroy that system un- der which the mechanic and manufacturing arts have so greatly prospered. It would be folly and madness to shut our eyes and con- ceal from ourselves the fact, that great, and fear doubtful struggle is just at hand. The Hall of the House of Representatives will be its theatre and at the next session Of Con- gress the tug of war will be there exhibited.
 l hope the American System may survive the impending contest. Sustained, as in my humble judgment it is, both by the Consttu tion and by the soundest policy. it ought to prevail. But, if in its origin, it had been doubtful: if it had been even wiser to have disregarded the experience of all great ma tions, and to have suffered the infant arts tO make their unassisted way, against the over whelming competition from the practised skill and long accumulated capitals of rival nations, the question, which is now present ed, is totally different. The policy of protec- ton has been solemnly adopted and pro claimed by the government not only once, but again and again. Under faith of it, capital has been invested, large establishments form ed. and the Industry of thousands of our fel- low citizens applied. To abandon, at this time, the policy thus sanctioned, would man. ifest an unsteadiness and caprice discredita- ble to government. It would nAict the great est injustice and cruelty on individuals, and be productive of calamity to the nation. In the affairs of government, there is vast diff ference between the institution and the aboli- tion of measures of National policy. When scheme to advance the general prosperity is first proposed, it may be .conscientiously opposed by statesman who,after it has been carried into practical operation, would not feel himself justified in voting its repeal.
 We have, fellow citizens, just terminated a long, arduous and embittered contest for the office of Chief Magistrate of our country. Il ragged with violence which we ought to hope will not be often exhibited. During its con. stinuance, society was shook to it's centre, and the most intimate ties of connexion were rent asunder. The will of the majority has been expressed, ,and the will of the majority should be respected. In our free institutions, popu- lar elections are happily frequent But un- less we mean to perpetuate feuds, and render immortal animosities excited in the heat of the struggle, it should be the wish and the aim of all to tranquilize society, and to restore it's harmony, after the de- cision of the majority has been fairly pro. nounced. This effort to heal wounds and re- unite brethren who have been separated by passion OF ,misconception, is perfectly consis- tent with the duty of watching, in future, over our rulers. and of bringing their meas ures to the standard of reason.
 Happily, the past Administrations of our country are sure guides to the present, if t choose to follow them,a furnish to the peo- ple unerring tests by which to judge thee con.