The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-02
DINNER TO MR.. CLAY IN HANOVER.


There were, we suppose, between thousand
and twelve hundred present. Mr.. Clay made
one of his nobest efforts. Commencing by a
feeling reference to the scenes and the compan-
ions of his youth he passed to the consideration
of great questions of public concern, and en-
chained the attention Of his numerous hearers
for more than an hour and half. He dwelt
with especial emphasis upon the dangers TO our
Republican institutions from the idea of Erecu-
tire unity, inculcated and practiced upon by the
late President He then passed to the conside-
ration of the interesting topic of what should be
the course and policy of a Wing President in
the present condition of the country. On this
subject, Mr.. G. declared, that he spoke for him
self alone-not for General Harrison, for he had
no authority, nor for the Wing party. One of
the first duties of new Wing President was by
declining a reelection TO limit the Presidency to
single term; this was one of the most impor-
tant and beneficial innovations which could be
introduced, Second The veto power should
be restricted. He suggested that instead Of two
| thirds being requisite to pass bill after being
vetoed by the President, that majority of both
Houses should be competent to pass it. Third
The dismissal Of officers should be restricted
and regulated by law-the President ought not
to retain, if he possesses the power OF arbitrary
dismissal, without any responsibility. Fourth ::
! The custody and control of the public money
should be taken from the President altogether,
and confded entirely to the Representatives of
the People The Republic can know no ease
until this most important principle shall be fully
established And, fifth: Economy and reform
should be introduced into all the departments OF
| the Government and substituted for waste and
corruption.
On each of these heads, Mr.. c. discoursed at
some length to the delight OF his audience. He
then remarked that there were other duties which
would devolve upon Wing President. First
The country must have sound, uniform cur
rcncy. While his own opinion as to the best
mode of effecting this, was decided, he thought
it should be referred to the People themselves.
If they preferred the State Banks, well and good
If a National Bank, guarded and restricted il
was their privilege to have it, End: The Tariff
Compromise should be adhered TO- Third. In
ternal Improvements by the Federal Govern
ment should not be farther prosecuted-the States
having already carried the system as far as pru-
dence and the condition of the country warrant.
Fourth A liberal and a just policy should be
pursued in respect TO the Public Lands.S We
should be liberal to the new and just to all the
States.
He mentioned several other topics, and dweh
at some length upon them. A farther notice
may be taken hereafter
Gen, Waddy Thompson next addressed the
meeting, in ono of the happiest speeches we have
/ tNel HsteHeu W. hodTS OI laughter dCCOInpd-
MED his inmitaby happy hits. He is decided
iavorite with the good people Of Hanover, now,
henceforth and forever.
Mr. Cnttenden, Gov, Barbour, Mr.. Leigh and
Mr.. John Robertson, each in reply to toasts, adj
dressed the meeting. AT night, when the last
concluded, the whole crowd was still as eager as
ever, and the regret was universal, that darkness
should terminate the rare enjoyments of the day
| Upon the whole, the occasion was rich in good
things, and it would take week to narrate them
all. Three such speeches as Mr.. Clays, Gen.
Thompson's, and MIR. Criuenden's, Ito say moth
ing of the Others have rarely, if ever, been
heard on the same day by a Virginia audience
Mr. Clay, to the regret of our citizens, could
not visit Richmond during his present trip. He
rel m Yesterday or to-day TO Washington
in the city,-Richmond Hhig.