Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-03-21

HENRY CLAY.
IN PHILApELpHIA.

large meeting of the Democratic
Wing Association was held in Philsdel.
phis on Monday evening. Ii WAS ad.
dressed by Mr. SARcEANr and by MIR.
Preston Of South Carolina. The follow.
ing extract from Mr.. Preston's address. Is
given in the United States Gazette, will
stir the blood Of ell who know him well.
Mr.. Clay deserves the encomiums he re.
ceived.
Mr.. Preston ssii IL did not perhaps be.
come HIM TO speak, i'm this place, Of men:
but as the Wing flag could not be sustain
ed without . hand TO hold il alolt. when
raised. he must DO INDUCED in a remark
or two upon this subject. The flag un.
der which We rally, he said, was a noble,
a broad and expanded one. and proud We
were OF it; it should be placed 10 q hand
That Is worthy Of it, and able TO spread il
forth upon the breeze. The hand is the
hand OF HENRY CLAY. To him and to
no other man must our banner be entrust-
ed. u we would see IL gloriously floating
aloft in proud and triumphant victory. .
Mr.. Clay, he said, was n noble man
tie, himself, came into the Senate with
strong pi'judices against him. He had
warmly opposed him long before he knew
him. In the Senate he found himself by
his side-he watched him with a suspi.
cious eye-bu, his prejudices had gradu-
ally given way before the power OF truth,
and from being . suspicious opponent, he
would frankly confess he had become an
admirer OF the man. IL was not his elo-
quence. that was we'll known-it was not
the great services which he had rendered
his country ana which must be familiar
TO all, that won him; but il was his noble
nature-his fearless supper, of wha, his
judgment told him wss right. regardless
o. consequences. that called forth his al.
miration. No man ever looked dancer
IN the eye With q more determined. un.
oienching countenancc, when in the pur-
suit OF truth. or the sustainmcnt Of right.
than Henry Clay, (great cheering.) This
he spoke OF his own knowledge. He
had seen him standing. as i: were, upon
The very edge Of political gulph, down
which. apparently, a single step must
plunge him. | have seen him look into
the gulph with a fixed vet unblenchinp
eye, and with all its consequences before
him, taken the step which bo though,
DUTY required. Such a man is Henry
Clay. (Cheers.)
have heard him utter, said Mr.. Pres.
ton. in his closet sentiments which. had
they fallen from the lips Of one OF The an.
clients Of Greece or Rome, would have
been repeated with admiration to the pre-.
sent day. On one occasion, continued
MIR. Preston, he did me the honor 10
send for and consult me. u was in re :.
ference TO step he was abou. 10 take,
aud which will, perhaps, come TO your
minds without more direct allusion. Az
ter stating what he proposed, suggested
whether there would not be danger in il
whether such a course would not in
lJure his own prospects, rs well as those
OF the Wing party in general. His reply
was, II did moi send for you to ask what
nigh, be the effect OF the proposed move
ment on my prospects, but whether il vas
righf; I HAD RATHER BE RIGHT
THAN BE PRESIDENT"
Such sentiments rs these indicate the
holiness Of the man, and the high pur.
poses OF his soul; and they should call
forth the admiration and confidence OF
the nation. They point to him as 'tbe
most worthy" TO WELD her drsiinies.
svow myself, therefore, for Henry Clay
! will not say 6eiiere the Wings will be
defeated unless they rally as a man, in
solid phalanx. around him and their prin
ciples. KNOW il, it is inevitable. Blu,
i: they do thus rally. their triumph is Ger.
tain. May il be my lot 10 congratulate
you hereafter on your victory, rather
than condole with you add mourn with
the country on your defeat.
Mr.. Hoffman, Of New York, and Mr.
Wise. Of Virginia. were called fo-. but
II did not appear that they were IN the
room.
When Mr. Preston mentioned The
name Of Henry Clay in oonnrxion will
the Wing banner. there was an outbors
{ OF feeling that told OF the hold which iha
great man had on the affections Of IL.
meeting. Three times three they cheer
ed, and then asked for "one more" be
fore they allowed the speaker TO proceed
, II was gratifying occasion. and will b,
! productive Of good.