Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-04-18
NJ Il. CLAY.

indications, MOTTO be mistaken, point 10 Mr.. Clay,
with unerring certainty, as the Wing candidate for
the next Presidency. His high chafacter-his bril-
liant ialenis-hs uncompromisiug honcsty-hs ee-
nerous temper-his uuquestioned patrio,ism-re-
commend him TO the people Of the United States as
man every WY worthy Of their suffragcs That
Mr. Clay may entertain certain abstiac, principles in
which many of tic Wing party do not concur is
probable nay, II is certain. But What public man
throughout the Union, is free Gom this objection !,
Whatever may be the character OF those opinions
howeyer,we have the strongest assurances that ia the
application of them TO the practical operations of
the government, no mao would be less likely than
himself 10 run counter 10 The principles which gov
erned James Madison and we may add Thomas
jefferson, during their administrations. For our
selves, at least, we should vastly prefer Mr.. Clay,
even il what his enrmcs say of him be true, as we
believe it to be otherwise, than Martin Van Buren,
who, whatever may be the present complexion of his
constitutional creed, does not entertain one opinion
which he has not heretofore ass;ied, nor renounce
single principle, which, at some period Of his
chccqnered and versatile cacer, he has not acted
upon and defended.
We have never seen Nh. Clay's uue character at
tlle sdlhe tiHe h'3lc Iluly ana beautifully sketch
ed, than II was dnrlnc the last winter, by Senator
Preston Of South Carolina, In speech delivered 10
the Democratic Wing Association of Philadelphia
From that speech we make the following extract 10
which we solJcn the attention Of our readers
MIR. Preston said it did perhaps become him speak,
in This place Of pcn but as tie Wing as could not be s
tanned without hand TO hod aloh when rnscd he be
indsIeed ina remark upon this subject The flag
dee whrh rally he said noble broad and expanded
und proud oft it shonld be placed a hand
worthy OF H. and able spread forth upon the ircc1c. That
hand is the hand of irNny CIAY-To him and TO no other
our banner he entrusted. If we would elo
ous floating aloi, IN proud and triumphant victory.
Mr. Clay, he SAID, was noble man. lie, himself,
into the Senate with strong pcindccs against him. lie had
nnte he found himself by his slc-he watched him with sls
pcious cye-but his ptcudces had gradually given
way before the power Of truth and, from being susp
known-t the great services he had rendered his
country and which must be familiar to ALL that won him but
his noble naturehs fearless support of what his
Judgment told him right regardless of consequences that
called forth his admiration No man ever looked danger IN
the eve with determined unblenchne conntenance,
when in the pursuit OF truth the susnnnent fright han
HENRY CLAY. (Great Cheering) This he spoke of hi,
knowledge. lie had seen hm standing as II were, up
the very edge of political gulf down which, apparently,
single step plunge him. said Mr. p look into the gulf
before him. take the step whch he thought DUTY required
Such monis IiExRr clir1,f GlcersJ
have heard him utter SAID Mr. Preston in his closet
sentiments which, had they fallen from the lips Of one OF the
anocns OF Greece Rome, would have been repeated with
Mr. p he did the honor send for and consult with
II reference step he about nke and which
will perhaps, minds without direct allu
Alter stating what he proposed suggested whether
there would not be danger in IT, whether such would
inure his prospects, well as those OF the Wing party
in general His reply al did send for ask what
might be the effect OF the proposed movement prospects
but whether il right. | HAD RATHER BE RiGhr THAN
PREsDEYr.n
Well did Mr.. Preston add Such sentiments
as these indicate the holiness of the man and the
high purposes of his soul aud they should call
forth the admiration and the confidence of the ma
ton They point to him as the most worthy to
WELD her destinies. | ayow myself therefore, for
Henry Clay. will not say that btiiere the Wings
will be defeated unless they rally as one man, in a
solid phalanx, around him and their princip'es-l
Enotc it, 1t is inevitable. But if they do thus rally
their triumph is certain. May be my lot to con-
graduate you hereafter upon your victory, rather
than condoe with you, and mourn with the country,
on your defeat"