Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-09-19
WreaI0 Of tie Ttm G q
Mr.. Clay and the Pre- sidency
)f Kentucky

II
atingly pursued by Mr.. Clay. with le-
spect to the approaching election for
tic Presidency, has, from the com
ncncement of the canvass, been per-
lcctly well defined one, and in entire
accordance with every act of his public
life. He has never courted a nomna-
tion, nor placed himself before the pco-
pie for that high Office by any UNDER
handed combinations, nor sought, at
what he might conceive a favorable
juncture. for opportunities to swell his
popularity at the expense of the just
claims Of other eminent individuals
He has adopted, VIC think, throughout,
in situation Of great dclicacy, most
manly, conciliating, public spirited line
of conduct, which, f he had no other
claims on the Wings, entities him to be
treated with the moa scrupulous attcn-
ton to his feelings, and in manner
very different, we must say, from what
we have recently noticed in some very
leading Wing journals, in one or two
States.
The situation Of the country, since
the accession Of Mr.. Van Buren, to the
Presidency, has every day strengthen
ed the conviction of the necessity of a
thorough uncomprolnising change Of
the Administration, to place its affairs
once more in the old road Of well set
tied principle and steadily advancing
prosperity. The prospect of efiecting
this change has kept pace with this con-
viction, and, until very recent period
indeed, the strong probability, not to
say certainty, of efecting it, seemed
scarcely to be doubted in the best in
formed circles. The chances of sue
cess, however, in struggle c:this ma
ture, must depend, among other things,
very materially, on the character and
services Of the candidates presented |;
especially, when the public mind is to
be reused to its highest energies, or
sustained in great effort 1t was
therefore, we contend, with sound iudg-
mcnt, and right appreciation OF his
qualifications in both these particulars,
that in selecting ii candidate for the
Presidency, the Wings in so many of
the States, at this critical iuncture,
turned with such pride and cordiality to
their old and ncvor-lailing frend-thcir
well tried and gallant leader, HENRY
CLAY. AS to this State ut least, we
can speak positively, from personal
knowledge of the facts. So strong was
the feeling here as to the claims of Mr..
Clay to a nomination, that rather pre-
maturely perhaps, and without proper
consideration for the feelings of another
great statesman in ncighboring State,
then candidate, n nomination was
made at the winter session of the Le-
gislature, in tliis--a New England
State, when one State only (Kentucky)
had formally propoundcd Mr.. Clay
We know there were exceptions to the
remarks here made, as to the extent Of
Mr.. Clay's popularity. Mr.. Clay was
not their first choice for the Prcsiden-
cy, in some Of the Wing States. The
State of Massachusetts for example :,
though strongly approving Mr.. Clay's
course, naturally preferred her own
eminent citizen, Mr.. Webster. Ohio
and Indiana, holding to Mr.. Clay as
their second choice, were supposed to
be tenacious of their preferences for
General Harrison. Pennsylvania also,
(if at any time she could with the least
propriety be considered Wing State,
so far as the Anti-maSonic party was
concerned, preferred General Harrison
To reconcile these differences, and
bring about a cordial and united action
in the several States, whatever might
be their individual prefcrenccs-what
next was suggested by the Wing mem
bcrs Of Congress, and universally ac:
quicsced in9 Why, that the Wings
of each State, by proper delegations,
should meet, December next, in Con
vention at Harrisburg that they should
there freely discuss the claims of the
candidates aud whatever candidate,
after fair discussion, could unite ma
jority of the delegates, should be deem
cd and held to be the candidate Of the
Wing party. Could any other altorna-
tive have been presented more fair and
practicable ! Is il possible, in any 9TH
or way, TO arrive at The unbiussed judg-
'nent OF majority Of the Wings ? Aud
is not every Wing voter aud Wing