Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-06-21
Iron The n. Y. Commercial Advertiser
MIR. CLAY.

Il tic heeting recently nero ih lhis city oy
portion Of the friends of Mr.. Clay, will recol-
lect that a resolution was adopted, inviting
tho western statesman to make the tour oi
New York, on his return from Washington
to Kentucky. The following is the reply ol
Mr.. Clay to the N. Y. Committee, by which
il will be seen that the invitation has been
respectfully declined. The letter Of Mr..
Clay is worthy of all praise.
MIR. CLAY'S REPLY TO THE N. YORK
Il COMMITTEES.
II WASHINGTON, June 9th, 1888.
II Gentlemen--I have to acknowledge the
receipt Of letter, which, as committee ap-
pointed at meeting Of my political friends,
recently convened in the city OF New York,
you addressed to me, transmitting copy oi
their proceedings, and in pursuance OF one of
their resolutions inviting me TO visit that city
and to pass through the state of New York to
Buffalo, upon my return home, after the ter
minaton Of the present session OF Congress.
Il have perused the proceedings Of the
meeting with the lveiest feelings Of graft
tude and request you, gentlemen, to con-
vey to those who composed II, my cordial
thanks and respectful Acknowledgements for
their friendly consideration Of me. While
feel highly gratified by the sentiments OF
attachment, confidence and preference, with
All expression Of which the meeting has hon
ored me, l think il has wisely referred the
designation of suitable candidate for the
Office of President Of the United States to
the consideration and impartial decision OF a
national convention. Such an assembage,
| al nf n
and fairly constituted, vii. embody the opin-
| ions and best express the sense Of the whole
| opposition to the present administration OF
| the general government. 1t will reconcile
differences, promote harmony, and secure
hearty cooperation among those who are
Engaged in the patriotic cause Of struggling
| to bring back the government to its former
| purity, to heal the wounds in the constitution,
and to restore the prosperity Of the country.
II should be most happy to find myself un-
der circumstances which would admit Of my
acceptance of the friendly invitation to visit
| your state. ] am sure that everywhere. OH a
| tour SO agreeable, | should meet with the
greatest Kindness and hospitality, and behold
in the virtue, intelligence and enterprise OF
H the people of New York, in the noble works
| of internal improvement which adorn its ter
H ritory, and in the fruitful soil with which
Il Providence has blessed it, abundant elements
tor repairing the temporary injuries inflicted
II by the errors and experiments Of the federal
Executive. But feel constrained to deny
myself the satisfaction Of contemplating those
/ pleasing scenes. After an absence from my
| home, which has already extended to nigh
H eight months, ! am naturally most anxious to
i rejon my family without any unavoidable
delay. might content myself with the as
II sienment of this simple reason, but have
other and higher motives, which candor re.
/ quircs should communicate, for declining
to accept your obliging invitation. Although
II am not in fact a candidate for any office, |
am aware that my name is freely used in con-
ncction with the highest in the gift Of the
H American people. While it is thus subject
| of consideration, have thought that it best
becomes me to remain in an attitude perfectly
passivc; doing nothing with the intention OF
attracting the current Of public feeling to me
nothing to disturb or affect the exercise OF
the free and unbiased judgment OF the peo-
pie.
i have accordingly acted in strict con-
formity with this conviction OF my duty.
have visited no place, and shall visit no place,
with the view Of promoting my own personal
advancement. Considerations both of prin-
ciple and convenience, have induced me 10
adopt this resolution. ] know that scnt-
II ments Of personal esteem and regard for me,
and for which am very thankful, apart from
political motives, have prompted the invita-
iion with which you have favored me: but if
| were to accept it, no matter under what
protestations or professions, 1t would be be-
cvcd, whether justly or not, that it had other
objects besides social intercourse and an ex-
A. 81. sc
| your great state. The same or similar rea-
sons with which might be induced to visit
New York, would be urged to prevail on me
to 60 to other portions OF the Union. How
can discriminate What limit should !
prescribe There would be physical i'm
practicability to 60 to every important point
prompted by the impulse Of my own feelings,
10 visit.
The office Of President of the United
States is Of nature so exalted, and its func-
tons are so numerous, that it ought not 10 be,
and happily never can be, reached by indi-
vidual efforts to acquire it. 1t should only
be bestowed by the free, spontaneous and
deliberate judgment Of the people. When
so conferred, 1t is more honorable to them
and to the distinguished object of their choice.
Thus receiving it, he will enter upon the
career of its arduous duties, conscious that
he has attained the elevated station by no
low or unworthy arts, and ovcrlowing with
gratitude, will dedicate all his abilities and
his undivided energies, to tho honor, and the
prosperity and glory Of his country.
Such, gentlemen, are the views which
should entertain if | were a formal candidate,
aud the sole candidate Of the cause to which
I am attached. Far from being weakened,
\ they appear 10 me to possess additional
strength when we survey the actual state Of
the question to which they relate. The
Wings have not yet determined on their can
didate. They are now celebrating about it,
consulting among themselves in their primary
and other assemblies, as they have right to
do, and resolved 10 hold great family con-
sutation in December, 1889. Other gentle
men, of eminent abilities, Of distinguished
services, and of acknowledged patriotism, are
justly and properly and prominently in their
view, and under their consideration. While
this preliminary question is in progress of an
amicable adjustment, feel that it would not
| be right for me to make any personal exer-
tons, or even to be voluntarily placed in
situations in which il might be supposed that
was making personal exertlons, to withdraw
II from them the confidence SO justly due to
them as our common friends, and fix it ex-
ii, a..