Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-06-04
Nenrp CLAP at 7poitIt.
GREAT DINNER re- MR.. CLAY.

GUS and highly respectable assem6isge
of the citizens Of this aud several ol
the adjoining counties attended, to
gree, him with a personal expression OF
their aoprobatou Of his former public
conduct. Of their confidence in hts con
tirued patriotism, and of their hopes
aud belief, that his future devotion to
his country's welfare and honor will be
characterized by equal ardour and dis-
intereste dnsss.
Extensive preparations had been
made Cor the occasion, and about 5000
persons sat down to dinner Several
toasts had been prepared by the CON
mittee of arrangements, and wheh mr.
CLAW was toasted. he rose and express
ed his sense of tbs honor conferred Oh
him by his friends, neighbors. and lei
low citizens. in an eloquent address oi
one hour and thirty five minutes. We
cannot undertake to give even sketch
of h,s remarks, at this time, though we
hone to be able to present them to our
readers IN the next number lie re-
commanded moderation. caImness, anu
candor in Judging OF the conduct oil
men in power; indicated the late Al
niuistrstion from the charge SO often.
brought against it by its opponents, OF
subs.d,zing the press, and rewaromS
noIitical iayorites; declared that not az
offiaer under the Government during
the last four years ending on the 9th oi
March last. had been removed trom oil
fee on account of political sent'mentsi
that the few changes OF the printers OF
the laws OF the United States that took
Mace during the same term, were MADE
not so much with reference to the poil
tical opinious of the individuals, as for
the public advantage, and that 10 some
cases noitcal friends had gwen place
to political opponents when the pnDl'c
interest required tins transfer. lie de
clared that the printers Ut the laws are
not officers. but are viewed IN tue same
light as Job printers for individuals, ana
that the employ ment Of Que for aspeci
80 purpose, as the printing OF the laws
of ore session, gave him no clam 10
law or reason, for the next years goo,
any more than the printing OF an al
yariisement OF q mechanic by "A. this
vsar riyes A. a claiGa on the same me
cbanic for his next ears patronage,
He dwelt at some leusth on the recent
acts of the present Administration, &c
precating the principle which appears
from those acts, 80 be attic npteo TO oe
established. that man, Mtn&Lns FREE
mon is To he answered by the loss Of
office and ofsup2ort for his family, for
the unbiased exercise OF bis eight OF
spfIrege; nav more, for even an ah
stract preference existing IN hrs own
breast. 81 \. over Ii wnen he IS IN sdch
a situation IS prevents him IRON giving
any actual effect to that preference; As
was the case with General Harrison,
Mr. Barbour, and other foreign agents.
He sn,wed that the consequence OF The
establishment OF such principle Is daa
esrous to the continued purity OF our
republican institutions
The appointment Of an undue proper
ton Of political editors to office OF trust
and emolument under the Government,
has direc. tendency to corrupt the
fountains Of public information; more
especially when they ere taken from
the ranks of the political partiGans ct
the Executive; that if that principle be
adopted as correct, and be applied to
practice, we may, indeed, have the
forms of free elections, and the unblas-
eed exercise of the right of suffrage,
while, in spirit, in essence, we shall
live under monarchy: Presidential
election will be but scramble Tor office
among unprncipled partizsns; and po'
litical questions will not be questions
regarding principles Of public action
and policy, but base, a Serylle, gro
yelling and venal selfish preference for
men. Partizan presses will then laoof
during a canvass for the elevation of a
man, in the confident expectation OF
reaping the reward Of their prostitution
in the loaves and fishes of office; while,
els ne honest2 IS he capablef is ne faith
full to the Constitutions" will not be az
0ured into.
MIR Clay adverted 10 the solicitations
which had been pressed upon him from
many of his friends to stand as candi'
date for the House OF Representatives.,
and with his thanks for their partialty
SO repeatedly and anxiously manifested
he accompanied the expression OF his
wish to retire, at least for season, if
not for the remainder Of his life, to the