Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-10-28
HENRY CLAY.

HENRY CLAY.
The following resolution was one of u Sc |
les recently adopted at meeting of the |
State Rights Republicans of Richmond''-a !
tile intended to designate the party that sup
ported MIR. Van Buren's Administration. The
preamble and resolutions were drawn up by
Thomas Richie, Esq.
Resolced, That while we deem it inappropriate
md premature at this time to pledge ourselves to
any man Tor the next Prcsidon, of the q. s..
there is one, whose political career is so utterly
opposed to every principle that we cherish and
hold sacred, and is so identified with that latitu-
dinous and dangerous system ofmeasures we so
condemn, that we do not hesitate, at
once, unequivocally to proclaim that he does not
merit and cannot receive our support; and that
man is-Henry Clay.
This is well it is very well. The resolu-
ton was not adopted forthe purpose of unde-
ceiUing any body, there has been no idea, nor
surmise, nor apprehension abroad, which this
resolution was necessary to put down. The
declaration is entirely gratutous; and wleth-
er it is the result of dread, or of insuppressi-
BILE hostility, does not matter much But we
admire the policy of this movement, and if our
recommendation could have any influence
with the gentlemen on the other side we
would eXhort them to proceed in consonance
with this step. Perhaps they will do so with
out our recommendation. The feeling "a
mong them OH this subject is something like
that which prevailed once among the old Ro-
mans, who could not believe that their city
was safe so long as Hannibal lived-or like
the aPPrehensions of the English King who
in his effort to subjugate Scotland, felt that
nothing was gained SO long as William Wal
lace stood among his native hills to summon
his cOuntrymen to the strife for freedom
Whot h,
Clay's political career-and in this the coun-
try is more concerned than he is--it will be
his fortune to have occupied, by the agree
ment of both friends and opponents, the posi-
ton Of the foremost man of the age in this
Republic AS the representative of the true
American spirit-as one fully comprehendng
the genius of our institutions-as the expo
nent of sound principles of government, ra-
honal, practical and conservative in their ap-
plication, his whole life shows him as he is.
and as he ever has been-capable, honest,
without discrimination, weakness or fear If a
crisis should come, placing the country in
peril, and calling for man with Il quick per-
ception to know what should be done, and
with resolution to do it-when abstrac tioniss
would stand paralyzed by sense of their ne
gative incompetency, and the small schemes
OF small politicians would be shaned out OF
existence-at such time how readily. how
earnestly, would the eyes Of all be turned up
on the real man ofthe country The brawl-
ing ofpartizans would be hushed; the for
ward, the vain, the selfish stand rebuke,l, and
many of those now uterng clamorous abuse
against one, whose greatness contrasts pain
fully with their own insignifcsnce, would
find themselves compelled to frame their
tongues to other language, and to wait upon
the movements of that genius which they al
feet to decry. We know not that Mr. Clay
will ever be President of the United States
but OF this we may be sure, that so long as his
services can be OF seto the couniry,in what
ever capacity he may be called OH 10 render
them, they will be at his country's command
to the entire extent of his great abilities, ant
with all the fidelity ofhis patriotic nature
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