Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-12-19
ASHLAND, Goth Nov. 1899.


conference.-the public use which
has been made OF my name in connection
with the office OF President Of the United
States, furnishes the motives, as i trust
il will form The apology for this note. |
address il to you because our common
residence in the same State appears Id
me to render YOU the most appropriate
repository and organ Of what l wish now
TO say.
The convention at Harrisburg to de-
signaic candidates oi the opposition to
the present Federal Administration, for
the Offices of President and Vice Presi-
dent has been recommended, and the
propriety Of il has been generally con-
Cured in by all who agree as TO the ne
cessity Of a change in The general ad-
ministraiion. Ii appeared 10 me to he
the best, if not the only practicable
method ofreconciling and uniiing those,
who, conciding in the general principle,
entertained different views as TO the most
suitable candidates for these hig Offices;
and l have accordingly, frequently ex-
pressed, and now repeat the expression
Of my conviction Of the eypediency Of
our entire and cordial acquiescence in
the recommendation of the convention.
In the mean time, appeals directly and
indirectly have been made TO mo by
high respectable convention holden in
Pennsy and by private individu-
ais, to decline giving any consent TO the
use OF my name, upon the ground that a
distinguished citizen Of the State OF Ohio
is the first choice Of the opposition III
Pennsylvania, and in the opinion Of that
convention would be more likely 10 con-
ciliate general support than ] should. l
have been also addressed by various re.
spectacle and intelligent citizens of New
York, directly and indirectly, recon-
mendng me To decline the contest IN be-
half Of another eminent citizen, who has
been disting ushed in both the military
and civil service Oft United States.
Whilst ] have been thus urgently but
respectfully approached, numerous pr'-
vate citizens and public meetings, and
conventions in various parts OF the Un'-
ted States, Zone of these conventions IN
deed in Pennsylvania itself, have done
me the honor to express their confidence
in me, and to intimate their wishes that
| might be the candidate Of the opposi-
ton lor the office of Chief Magistrate.
1t is perfectly manifest that | cannot
comply with all these conflicting oplnfons
and wshes-nor, aPprehend, with any
one of them, without disregarding The
others
| Under these embarrassing circum-
stances, have thought it most advisable
to leave 10 the Convention at Harrisburg,
the free selection of candidates as being
The assembly to which, by common con-
sent, that important duty has been refer
red representing, as II probably will,
all parts of the United States-bringing
together the feelings and views of all
and comparing and weighing the local
information which it will derive from
every potion, it will be most competent
10 make a nomination acceptable to the
great majority Of its constituents. That
il will be faithful to the high trust conf
ded to its Judgment and patriotism, can
not be doubted and having full view
of the whole GROUND, it will be more like
ly to make selection agreeable to the
great body Of the opposition, than any
separate convention could do, however
enlightened and patriotic it may be. IL
the Pennsylvania Convention, to which
| first alluded, be right in supposing that
the distinguished citizen whom it prefers
would be more likely to be more success
ful than any other, he ought to be Domi-
mated and, undoubtedly, for that very
reason, will be nominated by The Har-
risburg Convention, should it entertaiu
the same opinion.
With just and proper sense Of the
high honor of being voluntarily called
to the Office Of President Of the United
States by great, free and enlightened
people, and profoundly grateful to those
Of my iellow-ciizens who are desirous
To sec me placed in that exalted and re-
sponsble station, ! must nevertheless say
in entire truth and sincerity, that If the
deliberations Of the convention shall lead
them TO the choice Of another as the
candidate Of the opposition, far from
feeling any discomfort, the nominations
will have my best wishes, and receive
my cordial support.
And gentlemen, hope, that you, my
friends and neighbors, will excuse tho
liberty I take in expressing TO You my
anxious desire, that, discarding all at
tachments or pariallty TO me, and guided
solely by the motive of rescuing our
country from the dangers which now en-
compass it, you will heartily unite ~ the
selection of that citizenj although u
should not be INC, who n.ay appear to be
the most likely, by his election, TO bring
about saluiary change in the admins
traion Of the general governmcni--a
change wi,hou, which we shall be
mockcd by the forms, and stript Of the
substantial benefits of free institutions.
1 From the tenor of this note, ! scarcely
need observe, that you nre at perfect
liberty to make such use Of II, AS IN your
discretion may seem proper.
am, with high respect, your friend
aud ohedicnt servant,
4 (Signcd) HENRY CLAY.
ITO General Thomas Mcicalfe, General
II Leslie Coombs, and the other dele
II gates from Kentucky 10 the Harris
4 burg Convention"