Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-07-09
.tr1)t>rotr0 1zdtf0.
ERIDAY MORNING, JULY o. 1850.
EENTUCKY

and have already been holden in Fayette, Jessamne,
Woodford and Bourbon. These counties express tho
utmost Indignation at the Presidents course caused
less by the loss OF tho road than tho nsncerty with
which he treated tho friends of improvement, and the
soPhisry he uses in his message to justify his course
and conceal his real opinions Prescription also dc.
nounced, in terms of Indignation and reproba,ion
which 1t so well deserves. The flag of Hcnry Clay is
unfured, and the friends of Improvement of domestic
industry of freedom Of opinion and Of suffrage of DO.
ltical liberation and Of Union, are invited to rally
around it,
1t would be aiiectation to pretend not to see thas
the contest has really commenced, and that the
name of Henry Clay by the act of his neghbors and
fellow citizens, is fairly and explicitly before the peo-
pie fthe U. States. Candidate for the Presiden-
cy The probability, nay the certainty of this ovont
has long been foreseen; but there was Just and pro-
per desire to postpone it as long possible, the
excitement of political struggles, bears proportion 10
their duration.
For ourselves, we need not declare our prediIec-
tons. Differing from Mr.. Clay, OH the single point
of the constitutonaity of Internal Improvement his
superiority in talent, experience in expansion and
general liberaity and of character, is in our
view so intellectually immense, that difference of
opinion single, though important point, is less
than dust in the balance There will, and there
ought to be- differences of opinion in free Govern
ment, and. The must be bigot or a blockhead
who considers honest differences of opinion az dis
qualification, or who rejects what does not
entirely conform to his views. The early
period Of life at which no manifested his opin-
ions on the question of Internal Improvement,
and the inhexible steadness with which he
has adhered to them, without reference to
mgorafics or uinorties, prove the sincerity Of
Mr. Clsy's conviction. Coming into Congress, soon
alter the passage of the act authorizing the Cumber
land Road, he found Mr.. Jefferson and the whole
Republican Party, its advocates and originaors The
highest authority supported his views. He has me-
yer equivocated, never shufled His opinions are
known TO every in the U. States Even if torong
in them is not such man trust worthy, thau
he who DISCUSSES his sentiments under '.judicious'
phrases-than he who has set of opinions for
Pennsylvania, another for Virginia. aud when ut last
he is compelled to act, finds himself placed by hts
double dealing in extraordinary situation, that he
is under the virtual necessity Of confcssng that he
has duped one or tho other half of the nation Dor
would the election of Henry Clay have any influence
upon the ultimate fate of the question of Internal
Improvement. Ifthe people for having the pow
or exercised, it will be exercised-if against il, it
will not be exercised, let who will be President.
No men have ever had stronger motives to change
an opnion' than have we, to change our opinion Of
the unconstitutionaity of Internal Improvement.
We have had no credit from either side Our politi.
cal friends mostly differed from us--our foes would
not allow to be sincere because we did not swal-
low all their dogmus, and resign ourselves to
all their views. Notwithstanding, we have held
fast TO what we believed the true and most
safe construction Of the constitution, fortified
by general principle from which we have never
swerved, to withhold from all Governments
every power not indispensable tn their SUCCESS
ful operation. We believe however, that there
are many more important questions and principles
unsettled and continually arising than whether tho
Government shall shall not maze roads, and in re-
gard to all these, confidence in Mr. Clay is firm
and undoubting. Is it not ridiculous when we see
the citizens Of free land prescribed for the character
OF their opinions and the mode in which they eycv-
cIsed suffrage-wheD the Press, the bulwark Of lib
erty, is subsidized by power--when modest worth,
experience, capacity, are universally aside in ia
vor OF bawling part.zans-wben pctticoat intriGues
are seen and felt in important State sffairs-when
such men as Amos Kendall, are paid by Government
TO write away the regulations Of American citizens
and when the Government makes itself party TO
the disgusting and degrading cones--is it not su-
premcly ridiculous, to affect consider the making
or not making road, as involving more vital princ-
pie than thcse2
We do not think so, and We therefore support
Henry Clay, with ontre and perfect consistency
Show us the man in whom is concentrcd the same
long experience and splendid ubios the same Re-
publIcansm of habit well as of sentiment, tho
same illustrious actions, the same personal magma
nmity, the same liberal and tolerant bearing toward
foes and differences Of opnion--show us such another
man, 'cho is opposed 10 NE ronj-mdking potcer, and
him will VIC support.
But in the cordial, conscientious and earnest sup
port which We are prepared TO give Mr.. Clay, wo
arc resolved to initiate if possible, the forbearance
and moderation which have always characterised
his politics. Personal enemies have already insnu-
ated, that we expected Office from Mr.. Clay. We