Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-10
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1881.
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN MEETING.

NAllONAL FODLiShH< NEE i4>o'
At a meeting of the national republicans of the
18th congressional district held at the court
house, Winchester, (Va.) on Monday. October
3, pursuant to a previous notice-RoBERT PAGE
ESQ was called TO the chair, and JAMES IL BROOKS
was appointed secretary.
Messrs Richard W. Barton, John Heiskell,
VIM l.. Clark, Samuel III. DAVIS and John W.
Page. were appointed committee to prepare a
preamble and resolutions, which in due time they
reported, as follows:
Whereas the frieads Of HENRY CLAY, in this
congressional district, have beeh gratiiled a per-
ceiying the concerted movement throughout the
union to promote the election of that distinguished
and prosecuted patriot TO the presdency,-they
would be wanting IN consistency to themselves,
and proper regard TO the welfare ot our once
happy country, did they refuse to respond to the
General burst of enthusiasm which is heard from
every quarter, animatiug the friends of Mr.. Clay
to rally tohis support, and save the republic from
,iisunion, executive immortality, and national
diSsoluteness of manners.
They know the history Of Mr.. Clay's public
life: and they feel proud assurance, that while
his oppouents must cuncede to him talents, ener-
gy and public spr,t--he possesses moral courage,
an mistaken political integrity, and bold and
fearless elouuencc, which has often made the
arrogance of arstocrGcy quail. and lighted up the
mind of the nation to the study Gifts true policy
and il is believed that under his guidance the
American people would be led to the altar OF true,
lasting liberty. In Mr. Clay they recognize a
native son of Virginia, whose only inheritance,
touchingly told BY himself, was "niancy, indi-
gence and ignorance;" but who. possessing
mind vigorous aud brilliant, directed by an innate
& Oh hn pIS with
when .po--aS and wealth, and pretended family
distinction, surrounded him--and at the bar, i'll
the halls Of legislation, III foreign embassy, and
IN the cabinet. he stood erect self-sustained, and
proved himselfto be the able champion Of popular
rights, and true friend OF the American union.
Since the dayS Of Patrick Henry, no individual
has been more distinguished tran Mr.. Clay for
commanding elOCution, and none have possessed
mowers more numerous or varied. H. is a popu-
ar orator. quick. bold and vehement ia..icr in
,,rh,te--a nervous writer and sagaciouS soIea.
uap, But his friends here are advocates for his
principles. They think his administration would
be directed to the policy of maintaining home IN
terests, free from the capices OF foreign powers.
aud leave US precisely were we should be-in a
state Of patriotic dependence upon ourselves.
In private lite Mr. Clay is as amiable and en-
sagng as he has been distinguished in public. 1t
NAV be said of him, that he never lost sincere
VI
many, by the frankness OF his manners, the be-
ucvoence of his feelings, aud an unaffected libe-
rality, which opens his purse and his heart to the
,.friendless stranger and the unfortunate neigh
Dor" 1t has been truly said of him, that he has
ever been fast and efficient friend to the labor
ing classes of the community. In public he has
advocated their cause with an effect which has
been felt in every workshop throughout the land;
and in private he has always been gratiiied to clasp
in cordial fellowship, the hands of those who are
our support IN peace and our defence In war. A
farmer himself, he has ever looked to the great
agricultural interests of the country. The staunch
s1pporter Of the American system, his object has
ever been 70 create a reciprocal dependence be-
tween the manufacturer and the farmer that the
former might yend his fabrics to the latter, aud
also open to him sure but high market for his
surplus produce.
These are some OF the expectations which Mr..
Claws friends cherish, connected with his promo
tion-and such is faithful portrait OF his public
character. Its features were recognized and ad-
mired by every state and individual until the de-
mons of faction and SANDER arose, and attempt
ed TO Jcface the outlines of the picture, and to
tear and mutilate the living likeness of the man,
reflected from the broad canvass OF his whole po-
titica career
And whereas, the election of Gen. Andrew
Jackson to the chief magistracyo OF tins nation, as
was feared by his opponents, and predicted by
one of his warmest supporters, has proved curse
to the land. The personal dolatry claimed for
the military chieftain, and the odious aud tyran
nical system ofreNards and Punishments by which
it has been enforced-the breach of his public
plighted faith in appointing members of congress
to civil Office, and in imposing himself on the coun-
try second time as a candidate for the presiden-
tial chair-the indirect bribery and consequent
corruption Of the press, by heapng lucrative civil
Offices upon such were his blind and supple de-
votees-the contumeiy and contempt exhibited
towards the senate Of the United States, co-or-
dinate branch Of the executive, in the negotiation
of treaties without their knowledge. and in the
appontment to civil Office of such as had been re-
iected and pronounced unworthy by that body
the undignifed and mortifying spectacle of a vlo
lent and open rupture with the second officer Of
the government-the anarchy and consequent dis
memberment of the cabinet-the law of force pro- ,