Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1842-04-15
From The National InicNgen :er
Mr., CLAY AND THE NORTH CAR
.OLlNIANS.

=
The following reply was addressed
by Mr.. Clay TO an invitation given him
by the Wings Of Wake county, N. Car
olina, 10 attend the Convention which
was 10 assemble at Raleigh, yesterday
Washington, March FL, 1912.
GENTLEMEN:
have the honor to acknowI.
edge the receipt Of your obigng letter,
transmitting a resolution adopted by the
Wings Of Wake county, in conformity
to which you have invited me TO attend
the Convention OF The Wings, which is
TO be heId.on the 4lh OF april at Ra
leigh.
Having long entertained an anxious
desire to visit North Carolina, | have
delayed answering your letter under
the hope that 1 should find no circum-
stances or considerations opposed to my
enjoying the qualification which such a
visit, at this time, would afford. But |
regret TO be compelled TO cay, without
adVerting TO other reasons, that the
pressure Of occupations, incident TO the
iinal termination Of my services in the
U. S Senate, deprives me of the salts
faction Of accepting your invitation, and
obIiges mo to postpone visit which |
hope God will spare ne 10 make here
after.
| rejoice 10 hear Of the fine spirit
which prevails in North Carolina, and
that the great Wing party of that State
ia about to assemble in Convention for
the purpose Of deIiboraling on the pres.
ent difficult and delicate posture of pub
lie affairs, Our country, brought to the
very verge Of ruin by long maI.ad
ninistra!ion Of the General Govern
ment, the sad effects Of which pervade
every section Of the Union, and are
painfully visible in every leading in
terest, had reason TO hope, after the
glorious issue OF the ever memorable
struggle Of 1910, that misruIe would
cease, and measures founded IN wisdom
and experience, would be adopted tc
restore the prosperity Of the nation.
need not say how cruelty in some i'm
portant respects, all have been disop
pointed. Our actual condition may bt
described in a few words. Instead o
mutual confidence between the acting
President and Congress, there is mutu
al distrust Instead Of his throwing
himself upon the principles OF the papty
that elevated him, he makes war upor
both. Instead Of harmony and CO oper
alton, there is discord and opposition
A President without party and par
ty without President! A Presiden
denouncing his friends and courling hi
political opponents, who, in their turr
without entertaining for him the leas
respect or confidence, give him fater
and praise enough just to deceive an
doludo him. A President, who, ailtt
ting TO soar 10 an atmosphere above the
Of all parties, and to place himself upo
the broad and patriotic foundation Of lh
whole nation, is vainly seeking, by
culpable administration Of the patror
age the Government, 10 create thr
party!
This, gentlemen, is faithful pictur
of the present posture of our Naucn'
councils. There may be those VII
will think that it would be most pru
dent not to exhibit tito the gaze OF ii
world. But believe that public virtU
and the public interests are always be
ter subserved by promulging rather lhG
concealng the truth. And, accustomt
as have been to it's language throug
out my whole life, trust that the pr
cious privilege of learessy uttering
will abido with me during the sho
remnant OF my days.
The existing state Of things is amor
alous and embarrassing But genuil
patriotism takes counsel only from
duty and its devotion. gUnappalled
difficulties, whatever may be their ma
nlude, il redOcbiss its resolution a
ils courage as they increase and mui
ply, and finally triumphs over all @
slaces which lie in the way Of the he
or, the prosperity, or the happiness
tho country.
Tho Wing party by q faithful adhe
.ence TO its principles at the hazard
being prescribed by those whom II a
Vanced TO high power, and thu memb'
of tho late Cabinet, by voluntary 81
render Of exalted stations. which th
believed they could hold no longer wi
out dishonor aud disgrace, have demo
straled TO tho whole world that W
them tho love OF country is paramot
70 tho love Office. am sure that,
lho good old North State, IN which
first Declaration Of independence v
made, there will DO q cordial respoI
TO this sentiment,
Gentlemen, lot US persevere in I
upright course. go into re'Irome
but / shall not be there az lille or
different snectator, without sympathy