Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-07-30
THURSDAY MORNING, JULY 80. 1885.

sissipPi. more than any other quartz
Of the Union Is deeply interested, ha
been 9gerturned and psostraied. Il
iieu OF Il, the people have to rely upo.
the paper Of a countless number Of 10
cal institutional multiplied daily, act
ing without concert, tending inevitabl,
to general disorder and ending in
common explosion. But will no
dwell on. or enlarge this frightful pic
tnre. although materials are amply sup
Piled by the present administration, I,
give At greater extent aud deeper color
ing.
The President is not satisfied will
the undisputed and general sway which
he has acquired. Like the monarchs
and emperors. and despots, whose sto
~ history tells, he IL des;roas, willis
he Is yet IN Office. in the full possession
Of eli his power and means OF influence
TO name his successor, and, under form.
and wells which the feebles. vision car
penetrate, has designated his successor
Is there any substantial difference be.
tween the hereditary principle and the
practice, lift is 10 be sanctioned. Of the
existing Presidential incumbent nomi.
mating his successor Can il be doubt
ed that ifthe Presidents bed had been
fruitful instead Of barren, the same
means which are now employed, with
his concurrence and appreciation, "a
insure the election Of his favorite, would
have been directed to the elevation Of
his own SOM
With respect to the gentleman who
has been thus designated, l feel myself
most reluctantly called upon, and this
appears to me fit occasion, to saw a
few words. The public press, private
letters, and other evidences have reach
ed me, Of opinions and preferences be-
ing ascribed to me by his friends or
Parhsans, so as 20 create, I think, du-
ty on my part, to undeceive the pub
lac. My personal relations with the
Vice President, before and since he
came into office, have been those OF
civility and courtesy; but they have
never for a moment affected my judg-
ment as to the propriety Of his election
as Chief Magistrate. In no aspect OF
the contest, IN no conceivable contin-
gency, IN no imaginable alternativeSdo
think 1t would be for the interests or
honor OF the people of the U. States 10
elevate him TO that Office. Withou,
stopping to insist upon objections to him,
from the exceptionable system of party
tactics which prevails in his own State
and which, IN the event Of his success,
he would endeavor to spread over the
whole Union; from the means of and
The manner by which he has been so far
advanced; from my utter inability To
comprehend what his principles nov
are, m reference TO great measures Of
National policy, there is one objection
TO him which, in my mind, is absolute
ly conclusive. lie IS Gie nominated an
didafe Of the President and his Official
corps. and sought to be forced upon
the people by all the weight OF the
administration. IL he were the most
pure and perfect Of all the American
Statesmen, this single objection would
in my opinion, be absolutely decisive
against him. And must have been
false TO every principle which has guild
ed my public life, and faithless in nv
devotion TO cyil liberty, i'll could have
entertained an opinion that under such
circumstance, the Vice President should
be preferred TO any Candidate
Throughout the delivery Of these SEN
timents Mr.. Clay was repeatedly inter
rupted by animated bursts of applause
and cheering.
These expressions have been forced
from me. wished 10 have enioyed
rePose, without taking any part in the
Presidential question; but opinions hav-
ing been often erroneously attributed TO
me. on that subject, I have not been
lrft at liberty TO remain silent. Hum
bic and without influence as n,y name
purposes, hope this is the last and only
occasion in which il may be necessary
for me publicly TO say any thing res
peetIDg the contest. Whilst | enter
tain decided preferences, do not in
tend to make myself partizan Of any
candidate. THIS resolution Is due to
my friends. TO the relations in which (
have stood TO them, and TO my own
character. Leaving the People free 10
make their own unbiased choice,
shall, as one Of them, at the proper time
exercise nay night Of suffrage in such
manner, as under all circumstances,
shall appear 10 me bed calculated 10 se-
cure the honor, the interests and the
liberties Of my Country.
] rose for the purpose Of returning
you, Mr.. President and Gentlemen. my
cordial and respectful thanks for the
sentiment with which you have honor
ed me. hope the depression in which
] have INDUCED will be excused; and
that you viii, in conclusion. allow me
TO oaer 10 yOur acceptance the senti-
ment--
Ersehfits PsrsY. III must b. checked. and
Festrsisset vithia constitutional hsaits, o. A.
asriean liberty vii end q speedy grave.
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