Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-01-10
From the New York WING Papers.
HENRY CLAY

New York; on the 22d ult. the fol.
lowing proceedings were had go
Resolred, That the correspondence
between the Hon. Henry Clay, andthe
subcommittee Of correspondence, pre-.
faced by a brief statement ofthe origin,
object, and proceedings, of this com.
mittee, signed by the Chairman and
Secretaries, be published in the Wing
papers of this city.
In compliance with the foregoing re.
solution, the following statement and
correspondence are published -
After the meeting of the friends of
the Hon. Daniel Webster, in Masonic
Hall, on the Oath day Of June last, and
the appointment of a committee to COR
respond with the different parts of the
Union for the promotion of his election
to the Presidency, a number of the
friends of Henry Clay met at Concert
Hall on the 9th of July last, for the
purpose o~ftaking into consideration the
proprlety of agitating at that time the
subject of the Presidency. 1t was tho't
after careful deliberation, that a public
meeting, or any public action at that
time, would tend to increase an excite.
ment which already threatened to be
injurious TO the great cause in which
the whole Wing party were engaged.
AT the same time, ii seemed imperative
on the friends of Mr.. Clay, in self.de.
fence, 10 do something to prevent their
~favorite from being overshadowed, and
to bring his claims, at the proper time,
and in a proper manner, before unpre-
JUDGED people.
With these views, without any dis.
respect, much less hostility, 10 the 9th.
er distinguished candidates which were
already in the field, or to their nume-
rous and highly respected friends, the
citizens convened on that occasion, for.
med a temporary organization by re.
solving themselves into a general com.
mlttee, and by appointing the usual ex.
ecutiye, corresponding, and finance
committees ; at the same time the fol-
lowing resolutions were adopted -
ReSolred, That as citizens devoted
to the principles of the revolution, and
determined to eradicate the corruption
and misrule of the present ard pas
administrations, we will use our efforts
to procure a National Convention for
the nomination of candidate for the
Presidency, and that we will use all
proper exertions TO bring before that
Convention the name of Henry Clay as
the mar who above all others, most en-.
Joys, and most deserves to enjoy, the
confidence and enthusiastic admiration
of the whole American People.
Resolred, moreorer, That we will
most cordially acquiesce in any noml-
nation made by a Congressional or Ma
tional Convention of the Wing party
duly convened for that purpose.
There follows a letter from the cor.
responding committee, to Mr.. Clay, Civ
ing u detailed account of the organisa-
iton and proceedings of the meeting,
and expressing the opinion, that he is
the person looked upon by a majority
ofthe Wings in New York as the most
fit man in the nation to fill the presi-
dental chair. The following is his
reply.l
ASHLAND, 9Th August, 1887.
GENTLEMEN / duly received the
letter which you did me the honor to
address me ON the Goth ult. transmit
ting a copy Of the proceedings adopted
at preliminary meetings held by some
Of my friends in the city OF New York
in relation to che next Presidential e.
lection. And | have read them, as
well as your letter, with respectful at
t%ention ands.interest. now beg leave
to communicate 10 you the impressions
| entertain of the mattersof which they
treat.
On the question Of the propriety OF
agitating the Public at this time, by
the discussion of the fitness of candi-
dates for the Presidency, | entirely
concur in the opinion expressed by you
that it would be altogether premature.
Six months have not elapsed since the
official termination of the last election,
and more than three years and a hall
remain Of the term which was then FL
led. The country is, moreover, suffer-
ing under a great calamity. All minds
are absorbed by considerations in res
pect to measures Of immediate relief
At such a moment, to divert or distract
the public attention by introducing an
other exciting but remote topic, seems
to be unwise. In expressing this senti,
ment, it is far from my purpose to con
vey any r~eproach or censure towards
those who have taken a different view
|, They may have supposed, and it Il
quite likeley they were right in suppo
sing, that the only adequate remed,
e which a be found for existing evil