The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1841-09-04
Respectfully yours,
b. b. FRENCH.

e. Here is an extract from MR.
CLAY'S rcjoinder to Mr.. Rives speech on
the Presidents Message. Read it. 1t is
rife with Eloquencc, and the spirit of Pa
trio.Isn1.
The Senator says that the question of
| bank was not the issue made before the
People a! the late election. can saw, for
ono, my own conviction is Numerically
the contrary. What may have been the
charactcFoi The canvass in Virginia, | will
not say; probable gentlemen on both sides
were every where, governed in some de-
gree by considerations Of local policy.
What issues may therefore have been pre-
senied to the people of Virginia, either
above or below tlde-water, um not pre-
pared to say. The great error, however,
Of the honorable Senator is in thinking
that the sentiments of particular party
IN Virginia are Away fair exponent of the
whclc Union. A laugh. | can tell that
Senator That wherever was-in the great
yaily of the Mississippi-in entucky-
III Mary land-in all the circles in which
! moved-every where, Bank or no
Bank' was the great, the leading, the vital
question.-At llanover,in Virginia, during
the last summer, at one of the most re-
markable and gratifying assemblages that
! ever attended, ever attended, distinct
Iy announced my conviction that a Bank
OF the United States was indispensable.
AS to the opinions of Gen. Harrison, |
know that, like many others, he had enter
tanned doubts rs to the consti!u,ionality
OF a bank; but also know that, as the e.
lection approached, his opinions turned
more and more in favor of a National
Bank; and speak from my own personal
knowledge OF his opinions when |, say
that have no more doubt he would have
signed that bill, than that you, Mr.. Pre-
s!dent, now occupy that chair, or that
am addressing you.
rose not TO say one word which
should wound the feelings of presden.
Tyler. The Senator says that, if placed
IN like circumstances, would have been
the last man to avoid putting direct veto
upon the bill, had it met my disapproba-
tlon; and he does me the honor to attri-
buta TO me high qualities of stern and I'M
bending intrepidity. hope that in all
that relates to personal frmness-all that
concerns a just appreciation of the insig-
nlhcance OF human life-whatever NAV
be attempted to threaten OR alarm a soul
not easy swayed by opposition, or awed
or mtlmdated by menace-a stout heart
and steady eye tina. can survey, unmov-
ca and undaunted, any mere personal per-
iis mat assall this poor, transient, perish
ing frame, | may without disparagemenf,
compare with other men. But there is a
sort OF courage which, frankly confess
II, do not possess-a boldness to which
dare not aspire-a valor which | cannot
covet. cannot lay myself down in the
way OF the welfare and happiness of my
country. That | cannot, | have moi the
courage to DO. | cannot interpose the
power with which may be invested
a power coniirred not for my personal
oeheht, nor for my ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, but
iof my country's good-to check her on
ward march to greatness and glory. II
nave not courage enough, am two cow
ardiy tor that. | would not, dare not.
IN the exercise of such trust, lie dawn.
and place my body across the path thai
leads my country to prosperity and hap
P!ness' Inns Is sort Of courage widely
different from that which man NAV dis
play In his private conduct and personal
relations. Personal or private courage
Is totally distinct from that higher and
nobler courage which prompts the patriot
to offer himself a voluntary sacrifice to his
country's good.
Nor did say, as the Senator repre-.
sents, that the President should have re-
signed. Iin,imated no personal wish or
desire that he should resign. referred
to the fact Of memorable resignation in
his public life. And what did say was, THAT
there were other alternatives before him
besides vetoing the bill; and that il was
worthy OF consideration whether conss.
tency did not require that the examples
which he had set when he had consti-
tuency OF one State, should not be follow
ed when he had constituency commen-
curate with the whole Union. Another
alternative was to suffer the bill, without
his signature, to pass into law under the
provisions Of the Constitution. And |
must confess see, in this, no such es-
Gaping by the back-door, no such Jump
ing out OF the window, as the Senator talks
about Apprehensions of the mputation
OF the want OF frmness sometimes impel
us to perform rash and inconsiderate acts.
1t Is the greatest courage to be able to bear
me ImputasIon OF the want of courage. But
pride, ego'lsm, so unamiable and offensive