Lincoln telegraph., 1839-12-19
MIR. CLAY,


If ever Cur beloved nation could wisl, = hoa7t
, of an enlightened and truly patriotic Statesman,
one in whom, love OF Country forms the grand
, incentiy TO every action. and who not do 4
, mean thing, the need might well be awarded to
HENRY CLAY His whole life has been de
voted to the service of his country, whilst such
housing politicians Martin Van Buren,. Tom
Benton and so forth have been entirely swallow
ed up in projects of mere personal aggrandise-
ment. The result has been, thus far, that Van
Buren has shufiled HIMSELF into the preside ntia
chair, and now perhaps, Alexander like, nourna
that there remains no higher seat to conquer -
Sir. Van Buren, despot like, commands the min
| ions, whose lives are in his hand, and they obey
why should they not' Is it not written in the
chronicles of the party that 'the President can
do no wrong? Thus mighty army of soldiers
patriotic of course while their pay lass) sta
toned all over the country, and being the most
scrvile tools of the administration, will not cease
their dolatry, while their places are enjoyed on
that condition. This is the secret of Van Bur-
ems astounding popuarity--a popularity built in
the sand, without permanent basis, and that
not stand much beyond the records of party war.
How different at this moment, is the standing Of
Mr.. Clay. Every day brings with it some fresh
evidence of the increasing popularity of his great
measures among his fellow citizens. We see e.
ven sOme portions of the South, are beginning,
strange as it may seem, to weigh the advantages
of the Protective System which was so bit
terly denounced by the whole South and the old
Jackson and present Van Buren, party. This pro-
tective system. which was nothing less than
system to encourage .7mesican Manufactures and
reward fmerican Labour, and which in its leoit-
innate operations would have made us compara
lively independent of Europe by making US ns-
tion of producers, instead of a nation of consun.
ers, was at once assailed and misrepresente by
every tory press in the country, because it did
not happen to favor the immediate personal pop
nlarity OF those who should have the patriotism
to support it besides q we did not originate the
measure-the South won't agree to it our poll
cy Is to oppose it, and oppose it they did, with
what success, every day observation, must de-
eide more plainly than words.
Irue,--other causes have operated, and al
ways may operate, if not removed. to facilitate
disastrous consequences to the nations veal, but
when nation Ceases to honor her own produc-
tive industry, by protecting ,t, who shall foretel
The final result Enough--we might say much of
Mr. Clay as statesman, but our business with
MN at this time, is to view him as "A patriot & for.
tins purpose, We call particular attention to the
following extract tEom recent letter from that
distinguished gentleman. the subject Of the
nomination by the National Convention, of :.
l fle
supposed he would probably receive Here
is the extract.
| With just and proper sense of the high
honor OF being voluntarily called to the Of
hce OF President Of the Enited States, By
great, Tree and enlightened people, and
} profoundly grateful to those of nv fellow
! citizens who are desirous eo see me placed
in that exalted and responsible station,
mnst nevertheless say, IN entire truth and
Sinceri,y. that If the deliberations of the
Convention shall lead them to the choice of
another, as the candidate Of the opposition,
tar from feeling any dtscontent, the NOM
lnation wll have nay best wishes and &C.
ceive my cordial support.
And, gentlemen, hope that you my
friends and aeighbors will excuse the liber-
ty take in expressing to you nv anxious
desire, that dscarding all attachment or.
partal,.y to me, and guided solely by the
n motive of resenng our country from the
j dangers which now encompass it, you viii
y heartily unite in The selection of that citizen,
d although it should not be me, who may ap-
pear 20 be most likely, by his election to
bring about salutary change in the sd-
mnistration Of the General Government
change without which we shall be nocked
by the forms, and stript of the substantial
benefits of free institutions.
It is cheering to the heart of the patriot to be-
hold now and then such noble specimen of self
sacrificing zeal to the promotion of his county $
, salvation. 1t inspires the sacred hope that all is
. not yet lost -.