Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1838-12-05
MR.. CLAY.

The following is letter from Henry
Clay, in reply to an invitation to attend a
dinner lately given to MIR. Bell of Tennes-
sec, q, Paris in that State. -: ---.
: ASHLAND, Oct. l, 1888
|. GGNTLEMEN:-I am bonored by the ip.
vitation, transmitted TO me by you as the
committee Of the Wings Of Henery CO. in
Tenn. to a dinner TO be given to tho Hon.
John Bell, on the 18th inst. | should be-
very happy to be able to attend on such an
interesting occasion. 1t is characteristic
of that ferocious spirit Of denuncation and
persecution of which was long the chosen
victim, to display lis greatest venom against
those who have least incurred its enmiiy.
1t has been the fate of a distinguished ci:i-
zen in the eastern part OF your State, and Of
Mr.. Bell, to be the latest objects selected for
The vengeance Of that Split, and hence all
the viaIs of wrath are poured out on their
heads. have been comparatively spared
and forgotten. No State in the Union has
exhibited nobler independence than Ten
nessee; and the people of it, in resolving to
sustain those two citizens against unmer!ted
attacks, have shown their sensibility 10
faithful and eminent services and a just ab.
borrence to gross injustice. | would gladly
uu,e with the Wings of Henry, in the in.
tended respect to Mr.. Bell, but duties and
engagements a, home compcm reluctantly
to decline the acceptance Of your invitation.
Among other strange and dangerous
PRINCIPLES of Government: which have been
Introduced within the last few years, none
is more remarkable than The system OF
rewards and punishmentS, Which has been
acted upon. Devotion to power is the
HIGHEST and often the only recommendation
to Executive patronage, whiIstto question the
! falibility of u leading supporter of Admins.
tra,ion, is sregarded as the greatest crime
| which citizen can commit. Rejection by,he
peo,ple OF partizan ofthe Executive, vino is
candidate for Office, is a sure pasPortto lis
favor. So that the most certain way to get
an office is to loose one. Numerous ex-
| amples might be given Of this practice, but
[ will mention only two. A candidate tor
the Governor of Pennsylvania, on the side
of the administration, being rejected by the
beople, was soon after rewarded BY high
Executive office at Washing on. And
when he pouted ard threatened in conse'
oueuce OF another rejected candidate tor
the same Office, of less Jealous faith, being
| amounted to a Foreign Mission, he was
auutieted by being transferred toa lucrative
office in Philadelphia. The other instance
! is in your own State A Senator who hal
lost confidence Of Tennessee, has been re.
Gently compensated by seat IN the Cabl'
net. -;
Thus, gentlemen, you sec with what con
tempt power treats tie people. 1t has d.
vorced itself from them. And it IS IN the
same spirit that, by means Of the sue-Irea.
sury Scheme it seeks to establish for ilsel
one currency, leaving the people in the pos
session of another, and as it alleges, an IN
! ferior currency.
You will recollect that MIR. Adams ad
mipistration was bitterly denounced, be-
cause in single instance, ii made an ap'
oointmen, of Post Master at Nashville
contrary 10 the recommendation Of mao
rly of the Tennessee delegation. In
gentleman appointed was Of undoubte!
Character. warmly recommended and em'
: nep'Iy qualified for the ctflcc'--He "'s a