The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-04-19
From The Petersburg InteIljgerno.
MR. CLAY'S LETTFp

MIR CLAY'S LETTER
TO THE WIGS OF WAKE CoUNrv
We publish below the reply Of Mr. C,,l i'NC.
viiation given him by the Wings of WAX. ~@ 10
~ G. TO attend the Convention which wi, ~'''F'
BILE at Raleigh on Monday next assem-
| WASHINGTON, 2Ist March 1910
Gentlemen:-l have the honor 10 acLn'on cfE,
The receipt OF your oblgng letter trons "UMedge
ieesoIu.lon auoiiea by the Wings Of Wake Coonsu'
in conformity TO which you have invi,oJ nOu0'y,
tend The Convention oflh Wings. which J.. 10 at
held on the 4th OF a priI at RALEIGH 10 De
Having long entertained an anxious J;..
1t North Carolina, have delayed aDswe,;nc " !"
letter, under The hope tina, should Gni mo your
stances or considerations opposed TO nv e lnran
the grahncailon winch such visit, at this ,;mrs
would afford But regret 10 be comncIlod o "ne'
without advcriipg 10 other reasons ,hs, ,L say
ure oil occupations, incident to the fralrcrmir;,"S
Of my service in the SENATE of the IIi,I 'I ea
deprives me Of tho satisfaction of accon,r s%.Sr
invitation and obliges me 10 postpone y;s;o v {Gu
hope God will spare me 10 make hereafter ""''"
rejoice TO hear the fine spirit which p,ev,iI,i !,
North Carolina, and that the grea, Wbio n,,n ~
that State is about TO assemble IN Cony,np, arg
the purpose Of dGiberating on the presrn IG," ~"
and delicate position Of pgbIic affair.", slrr con1
try, brought 10 tie verge of ruin bv Iong m,l.J
ministration Gifts General Government ,Hs snJar
fects of which perYade every section of The JIGns
and ate painfully visible in every eadinp intorc,
had reason 10 hope, after tie giurous issue Of ,bs
ever memorable struggle Of lS40, tha, misrue
would cease, and measures, founded in wisdom and
experience. would be adopted, 10 restore the uros
perlty Of the Nation. need not say how cruelty
in some important respects, all have been drsan.
pointed. Our actual condition may be described
in few words. Instead OF mutual confidence be-
tween the acting President and Congress, there il
Il str 80
tho principles and The party thai elevated him he
makes war upon both iuslcad Of harmony and co
operation, there Is discoid and opposition pm
ident without party, and parties without Pte
dent A President denouncing his friends n
counting his political opponents, tho in Their Ia
without entertaining for him the least respec.
confidence, give him flatiery and praise enoughv
10 deceive and delude him. a President who's
;ecting 10 soar IN atmosphere above that Of all pa
ties, and TO place himself upon the broad and pa,
riotic foundation Of the whole nation is vainr
seeking, by culpable administration OF the panU.
mage of the Government, to create lhrd party!
This, gentlemen, is Il faithful picture of :h yves
ent posture Of our National Councils Tberem my
be those who will think that it would be most pro.
dent not to exhibit it 10 the gaze Of the world Bot
believe that public virtue and the public Interest,"
are always better served by promul eating rather
Than by concealing the truth. And, accustomel's
have been TO its language, Throughout, my whole
life, trust that the precious privilege of fearless!
uttering it, will abide with me, during the shM
remnant of my days.
The existing state Of things is anomalous %
embarrassing. But genuine patriotism takes colD
sci only from its duty and its devotion. UnapnaId
by difficulties whatever may be their magnitude
redoubles its resolution and It's courage, as theyE
crease and multiply, and finally triumrhs over all
obstacles which lie in the way OF the honor,oT pros
periiy, or the happiness of the country
The Wing party, by faithful adherence 10 US
principles. at the hazard of being prescribed W
those whom il advanced to high power; and '0e
members of tho late Cabinet, by voluntary sur
render OF exalted stations, which they believed
they could no longer hold without disgrace nave
demonstrated to the whole world, that with lnen
the love of country is paramount to the love Of o.
fee. am sure that in the good old N.n
State, in which the first Declaration of American
Independence was made, there will be cora'a'"
Spouse to this sentiment.
Gentlemen, let us persevere in this upright cou .i
go into retirement, but shall not be there aa ,u
or indifferent spectator without sympathy OF ',.'
est in the welfare of the Union. only pass nu"
one sphere of action. where it is doubtful wiG'u.'
in the actua condition Of the country, Gouu
der any public service proportlonae 10 ut r' A.
sacrifices should certainly make, to anoI tnJI,,sH
though more circumscribed sphere in whN .,nmor
still find duties 10 perform towards our '''
country. y,;,, Of
request you, gentlemen, and The WV" .Tsseu
Wake county, to accept my profound anu h. The
acknowledgements for the honor done me ~ The
invitation TO attend yonr Convention, an" u is.Op
friendly sentiments with which its ra"'"''
was accompanied. .,a obedt
am, with great respect, your , friend a| CLAp
ent servant. HENRI
To Messrs. Richard Hines, &c.