Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-09-21
SPEECH OF HENRY CLAY,
Delivered at the Mechanics COLLATION. in the appoiio-
mum Garden, Cintinnuii. on Tie Sd .1eg 1850.


Nun Garden, Cineinnaii on The Sd .1ng. 1850.
ccoScLUuED
If could believe that the Executive message,
which was communicated to CONGRESS. upon the ap
plication of the Veto the Maysville Road, really
expressed the opinion of the President Of The U
States, in consequence of the unfortunate relations
which have existed between us, would forbcar to
make any observation upon it. 1t has his name al
fixed to ii: but 1t is not every paper which bears the
name of distinguished parsonage that s his own or
expresses his opinions We have been lately INFORM
ed that the unhappy King of England, In perhaps ms
last illness. transmitted paper to Parliament with
his royal signature attached TO it, which became an
object OF great curiosity Can any one believe that
that paper conveyed any other sentiments than those
of his Maesy's Ministers! 1t is impossible that the
veto message should express the opinions Of the Pre-
sdcnt, and prove it by evidence derived from HIM
self: Not forty days before that message was sent
TO Congress. lie approved bill embracing appropr-
atoms to objects of Internal improvement,
and among others to improve the navigation of Con
neaut Creek. Although somewhat acquainted with
the geography of our country, declare l did not
know Of the existence of such stream until |
read he bill ! have since made it an object OF in
curry, and have been told that it rises in corner
ofjPennsylvans, and is discharged into Lake Erie.
in corner Of the State of ONO; and that the ut
most extent to which its navigation is susceptible of
improvement is about seven miles! Is 1t possible
that the President comld conceive that a National
object and that the Improvement OF great throrou-
fare which the mail is transported for some eight
States Territories is mt of National cousid
eration' The power to improve the navigation Of
Constitution, is infinitely more doubtful! than the
tablishmcnt of mail roads, which is explicitly author
lied in that instrument! Did not the President du
ring he canvass which preceded his election, in his
answer to letter from Governor Ray, Of Indiana,
written at the instance of The Senate of that respec
table State expressly refer to his votes given the
Senate of the U. States for his opinion to the
power of the General Government, and inform HIM
that his opinion remained unaltcred? And do we
find upon consulting the journals of the Senate,
that among other votes affirming the existence of tho
power he voted for an appropriation TO the Chesa
psake and Delaware Canal which is only about four
teen miles in extent And do not know that 1t
at that time like the Maysville Road now, in
progress Of execution under the direction of
pany Incorporated by State. And that, whilst tie
Maysvillc Road had connection with roads east of
Maysville and southwest Of Lexington, the turnpik
ing of which contempla ed, that canal had no
connection with any other existing canal.
The VctT Message is perfectly irreconcieablc with
The previous acts, votes, and opinions of General
Jackson. II does express his opinions, but those
of his advisers and counseors, and especially those
IF his Cabinet II we look at the composition Of that
Cabinet cannot doubt it, Three of the five who
! believe, compose it whether the Postmaster Gene
raj be not, do not know known to be
directly and positively opposed TO the power; fourth
10 term descriptive of the fayorte policy of
of them, is conitai, and as to the fifth, good
Lord deliver from such friendship has to internal
improvements. Further, have heard it from good
authority, (bu will not vouch for 1T, although be
leve it 10 be true) that of the gentlemen from
the South waited upon the President whilst he held
the Maysyile bill under consideration, and told him
that If he approved of that bill, the South would no
longer approve of him. but oppose his administration
cannot, therefore, consider the Message as con-
veying the sentiments and views of the President
IL is impossible 1t is the work of his Cabinet; and
If unfortunately they were not practically rrespons
Bile to the people ofthe United States, they would de-
aninadverslons for having prevailed up
the President, in the precipitation Of business, and
perhaps without his specaclcs, to put his name to
such paper and send it forth to Congress and the
| hay adj at
again; and never can peruse it without thinking Of
diplomacy, and The name of Talleyrand, Talcyrand
Faleyrand, perpetually recurring to my mind 1t
to have been written in the spirit can accom-
inodl'ing soul, who being determined to have fair
weather in any contingency, was equally ready to
cry out, Good Lord, good devil Are you for Inter
naj improvements You nay extract from The Mes
sage texts enough to support your opinion Are you
against them' The Message supplies you with abun-
dant authority to cerntenance your views. Do you
think that long and uninterrupted current of concur
ring decisions ought to settle the question of CONT
yerted power? So the authors of the Message affect
to believe But ought my precedents, however nu
merous, to be allowed to establish doubtful power?
The Message agrees with him who thinks not.
cannot read this singular document without think
ing Of Talcyrand That remarkable person was one
OF the most eminent and fortunate of the French
revolution Prior to It's commencement, he held a |
Bishoprick under the i'll ated Louis the Sixteenth
w hen that great political storm shaved itself above
the horizon, he which way the wind was poino
to blow, and he trimmed his sails accordingly lie
was IN ire majority of the convention of the Nation
al Assembly aud Of the party that sustained the
bloody Robesperre and his cut-throat successors.-
He belonged to the party of the consuls the consul
for life, and finally the Emperor Whatever party
was uppermost you would see the head of TaIIev-
rand always high among them never down. Like
certain dcxtrous animal, throw him as yos please,
head Or tail, back belly uppcrnost, he is always
sure to light upon his feet. During great part of
the period described, he Minister Of F'orern af
fairs, and although totally devoid of all prucSle No
man ever surpassed him in the adroitness of his din
loinatic notes. lie 10 now, at an advancedage be
!ieve, Grand Chamberlain of his Majesty Charles the
Tenth
have lately seen amusing anccdote of this
celebrated man, which forces itself upon me. when
ever look Mt this Cebinct Message The King of
i rance, like our President towards the close of the
last session Of Congress, found himself in minority
question arose whether, in consequence he should
dissolve the Chamber Of Deputies, which resembles
our House ofRepresentatives An France was All
lated with the question No one could solveit At
GnuLH cOuClufgU tn no In th1fo ,-;o,,