Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1838-01-06


to sustain his claims by reference to
the evils of past or present adminlstra-
tions. He has been too long known to
the people of this Republic TO need the
ruin of predecessor as foundation for
his own fame--too great and various
have been his labors to require for con-
trast the experiments of an inefficient
legislator-too important the advantages
which have followed these efforts to reap
additional merit from the evils which
now surround as nation. We know
without them, we have long known, that
an abler statesman, or wiser legislator,
or one who unites greater ability with
more lofty patriotism, exists not in this
Republic. And this is enough. Con-
tscious of this, we submit his claims to
10 our fellow citizens, willing to abide
their decision.
There exists, doubtless, in the bosom
of every friend OF Mr.. Clay, certain pre-
possessions in his favor in consequence
of the odium which has been heaped up
on him by his opponents, to favor the
election of their candidates The EVIL
dence that this abuse was unmerited, has
been fully tested in the course pursued
by Mr.. Clay in opposing the measures
of the past administration. Yes, fellow
citizens the effect of his wisdom and
sagacity may be seen in every edict
which has issued from the executive
chair-may be realized in every attack
upon the currency of the country-may
be felt by every one who has enjoyed
the blessings resulting from our Repub-
lican Government. Our common coun-
try owns him as her favorite son. 1t is
our privilege to rejoice with those friends
who have ever stood by him, that the
prospect which now opens for his sue
cess is darkened by none Of those clouds
and storms, which in former times ob.
structed his pathway beyond a limited
circumference. 1t is the privilege Of
those who have heretofore opposed him,
that now, seeing their error, they can
assist in eevating him to the noblest sta.
ton in the world, assured that he will
honor 1t and them by the wisdom OF his
councils.
Thrice already have the people repuls-
ed Mr.. Clay from the Presidential chair
and as often have they placed there in his
stead persons in whom, before their term
of office expired, their confidence was
shaken, and in one instance destroyed.
As often too have they returned to Mr.
Clay as the political beacon, to guard
against simitar mistakes in choice. Need
we say that in every successive election
they have failed to escape the dangers
of inefficiency or mal-administration
Let every unconvinced mind contem.
plate the course pursued by the past and
present administrations. And what have
been the consequences
i Need we enumerate Who among
us has not felt the grinding pressure OF
onerous and unwholesome legislation
Who, seeing the distress in the COM
merciaI, manufacturing, and agrlcutu-
raj world, does not feel that all those
evils could have been avoided We
forbear to comment upon series of re-
verses, which are now experiencing, or
the experiments recommended to allevi-
ate their severity. Suffice it to say, they
are such as this country never before
endured, since the day her independ-
ence was first declared. Suffice it to
say, that the whole course of executive
recommendations from the time OF the
first attack upon the currency, have been
so many steps towards a despotism, un-
to which we, as free people, can never
yield a willing submission.
The course pursued by Mr.. Clay, in
s relation TO existing difficulties, has been
such as to meet our warmest approba-
ton, for in it we recognize an attach
men. to the interests of the couhtry and
the whole country. But, fellow citizens
tits not because Mr.. Clay is persecu-
ted man, or for the reason that he ha:
stood by our Government in its recen
perils, that we recommend him as a fit
candidate for President. 1t is because
, his efforts have been put forth in defenct
of the constitution for more than thirty
! years, during which time, some OF thu
, darkest periods Of our political history
have transpired. 1t is because all hi
efforts have been followed by correspon
) ding improvements which have been
source of revenue to our country, con
venience to our citizens, and characteI
, to our country. In this respect, Henry
Clay stands before us as public bene
factor. We owe him debt OF graft