Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-05-16
From the Charleston Courier.
HENRY CLAY.

South Carolina in reference to the Presi.
Dental question. Separated from her
Southern Understanding alooffrom her
natural allies Of the South West-she &C.
cupies a strange and awkward place
among associates new and ~uncongenial.
Cuttine asunder the ties Of kindred opini-
ON and ancient friendship, she has aban-
doned her attitude of proud Indifference,
IN obey a leader in whom she has repeat
| Iv declared that she has no trust. Conf
4 dence, which Chatham pronounced to be
ga plant of slow growth" sprang up in
her warm soil like the gourd ofthe Proph-
e, Jonah, in a single night, destined prob
ably TO wither and die as soon.
No measure of any importance requires
her advocacy no principle is at stake to
demand from her the sacrifices she is ma
king. The Sui .Treasury scheme-spe-
Gle Clause and all-that palladium of ode
I~iyerance and liberty"-is consigned TO
cold neglect and hopeless oblivion. "No
coming event casts u shadow before" OF
such portentous menace as to induce
her to seek protection from the men whom
she has professed to scorn and detest, the
/ influential advisers ofthe Chief Magistrate,
BLAIR, BENTON and KENDALL. Having
long and loudly protested against the
views which guided in his impetuous ca
reer the retired monarch of the Hermit
tsee, she now, in peaceful submission,
l Joins the servile train, headed by him
whose greatest glory is to follow IN the
footsteps and carry out the views OF TIE
\ American Cnur de Lion.
Fellow citizens! can you be induced to
& pause for a moment, and reflect deiibe.
rutely on the alternative presented to you.
Il On the one hand, we offer for your suffra-
d ces. a candidate of distinguished fame,
I HENRY CLAY, the great and gifted son OF
4 Virpinia-a SON of whom she might rave
been proud in her proudest days, when
4 there were giants in the land. Without
. rival among our Statesmen, the FIRST OF
! our living Orators, the observed OF all OBJ
servers in the Senate Chamber-his rep
4 utation belongs to our common country,
I and sheds abroad glory en- his Western
foster mother.
Calm, conslderate and forbearlng, he
II has more than once been the umpire in
holly disputed questions, and restored
peace by the weight ofhis character, and
4 the wisdom Of his %counsels. He Is 30 Ia
3 miliar from long experience, with all the
interests Of the republic, that the whole
nation 10 prepared to look to hum on all
great occasions, and to conhde fully IN
his sagacity and patriotism.
In comforting upon him the highest ia
i vor in our power, we, the people, shall do
honor to ourselves. What lustre can the
possession of Office throw around the
name If the noble Kentuckian! Through
four administrations he has retained his
I hold upon the enthusiastic affection OF his
fellow citizens" first in peace-frst IN
war-frst in the hearts OF his country
men," and has filled the largest space in
! every eye that from abroad gazed upon
4 US across the Atlantic.
He is in every way entitled to the war
4 NEST esteem and sympathy of Carollnians.
All those qualities belong 20 him, and form
prominent points in his personal history,
/ which we are fond to regard as the pecu.
liar characteristics Of our most valued
/ public men. A lofty courage, a chival.
4 rous sense of honor, a frank avowal oil
every sentiment and opinion, a generous
h selcabandonment to the glowing impulse
i of feeling have been always the most strI-
king attributes Of the great leader oil the
Wing party.
Contrasted with these traits, let US no.
tice the moral and intellectual features oil
! the present incumbent ofthe Presidential
Chair. Let US inquire what are his de-
d serts-what services has he rendered to
the nation? An uncontvmed Ambassa-
dora Senator uoting under instructions
H-how has he proved hlmselfequal 10 the
y stations it has been his fortune 10 fill !
VIVA: impress has he stamped on the
times? What important measure has ne
4 originated or carried through!
Let US notice the singular pledge ne
4 has given to carry on the plans OF his Pre-
decessor-a strong minded individual 1t is
true, but perverse, peremptory and vio'
lent, always promt to assume response
j bility, and construe the Constitution by
his own understanding. Let us think of
his marked dlsposition-minglec, AS we DO
not deny, with many amlable qualities
and much gentlemanly courtesy--to sur
. render himself to the guidance ct those
who surround him-not only the vigorous
and bold Elk. President, but the audaclous
BLAIR, the dark minded KENDALL, the ln-
Hsolea ard domineering BENTON, and,
most wonderful of all, even the imbecile
WOODBURY.. These men are thus indl-
rectly our rulers. These are thy Gods
o Israel!
Unlike his ~obscquiously worshipped
chief, who concentrated and welded with
easy effort, the power of the fierce and
wild democracy, MIR. VAN buren, has
been its mere tool, its echo, its shadow