Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-17
From, The Whecling GnxcRe.
ME-. CLAY AT WHEELING.

On Monday evening. seth, ult. Henry Clay with
his family arrived in this place. He was met BY
company of about fifty Gentlemen at the Penn
sylvania line, who escorted him thence To this place.
where he was greeted with the unfeieued admir-
alton of our citizens
The mechanics, manufacturers, and others hay
ing prepared dinner at the Globe Hotel MIR.
CHly on Tuesday, dined with about two hundred
of his fellow citizens. Many toasts were given ex-
prcssive OF the sentiments of the conipany-so
of them combining much wit and satire, dad one of
them elected strain OF eloduence from distin-
guIshed guest that terminated every one who heard
it, in the of the american Systesn.a- Never
was this distinguished man, even III the days of his
power, more heartily welcomed and more generally
admlred,-a sentiment of admiration crvaded the
hearts ot all, who heard him. There il, something
nexpressbly grand in the voluntary tYibrte of res,
pect paid to citizen who had retired from Office
and who is unclothed with power.-Tt is gratitude
without suspicion of selfshness for past services
Thousands thro the hope of prefern,ent bow at the
footstool Of authority but merit only, commands the
disintereeted Offering of gratitude.
On the evening of the same day large and splcn-
did party was given in the lower of the Mason
c Hall. On no former occasion has there been so
general attendance of the citizens of this place
The lodge room also thrown open, where Mr
Clay amused and delighted his friends by his frank
and ingenious conversations Indeed his frannesso:-
demeanor has made him many warm and eI,thusias-
tic friends.
he departed on Wednesday morning, on board the
Mountaineer We have published the tsasts aiven
at the dinner, and now give Mr.. C's address which
taken down III short hand by .ndividual pres
ent
Mr.. Clay rose and expressed bis thanks for the
appreciation which had been bestowed on his public
exertons in regard to the great interest, alluded to
IN the toast, with which he had just been bonored.
w hist he felt that no more than Justice WAS done
to the zeal which had ever animated him in support
OF those interests, he sensible that he was in
debted to the parality IF the company for csti-
mate, much too high AMI hattering, which they had
made of his services, in that respect.
Mr.. Clay proceeded, at considerable length, to
expatiate, Oh the policy of the protection of Amer-
can industry. We are unable to present his obser-
vations at large. The duty of Government to pro-
tect our American interests against those of foreign
natons was right in the abstract, he conendcd g. that
1T also flowed from the reductive enactments which
mad been enforced previous the late War. The pros
pcrity of nations, antient and modern, was always
marked by the state fthe arts among them. When
these were patronlzed, encouraged and hourishiDg,
they were great, powerful and happy.
With respect to the power OF congress TO adopt
and enforce system Of protection, for the rst time
recently seriously questioned, he wassupprised az re
progress the doctrine had made and the sane
ion which had been given to it by respectable states
and individuals, More than thirty years ago school
OF politicians had been established which conteDded
that the General Government, in the exercise of
power, ought to be restricted to the grants of the
constitution, and to those powers which were ne
cessary and proper to carry the grants into effect;
and which opposed the deduction Of power by doubt
fui Ig1phcation. He belonged to that school then
and ne belongs to it now. But modern school had
arisen, which had reversed the rule. According to
the disciples Of this school, powers, clearly and cx
pressly granted, in the constitution, denied by
subtlety, refinement, and implication. A power TO
regulate foreign commerce, conferred without lim-
tation, conveyed no authority to regulate it by the
usual and appropriate meansi Nor did it allow con-
gress the discretion Of considering the effect Of any
given regulation upon the great interest ofthe coun-
try! power to lay taxes and duties, without 9TH
er limitation than that contained in the constitution,
did not admit of congress arraying them would
best countraet the unfrendly policy Of foreign ma
tons and subserve the interests Of our owni Motives
conducting to the grant of power sought for out
Of the constitution and these, having been found or
fancIed to he found, used to qualify and restrict
the plain terms Of the grant. To this school he did
NOT belong. He could not concur in a node otter