The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-08-18
From the Cheratp Gazette.
HENRY CLAY.

HENRY CLAY.
hope, Mr.. Editor, you will indulge one
of the readers of your paper who seldom
obtrudes his sentiments upon the eye OF the
public, with short space in your columns,
for tue purpose of directing the attention
of his fellow citizens to a subject of great
importance in itself, and Of personal inter-
est to every freeman. Ii has been wisely
said by one that seldom erred, that "when
the wicked are exalted tho people Ian
guish," and it is a truth which all history
declares. Whenever the chief offices of
trust and honor in any nation are occupied
by individuals who are not fair represent
atiyes Of the intelligent, moral and vriuous
portion of the community, they will prove
curse TO the people among whom thoy
are exhalted, and there is no surer sign of
the downfall of nation than when the
selfish, turbulent and unprinclpled, are
permitted to bear more influence IN the
government than the wise, the sober, and
unambitious friends Of peace and ORDER
1t is therefore, a matter of high importance
in every government, but particularly in
republic, whose magistrates are periodical
" elected, that the chief officers should be
men of whom the people need not be a.
shamed. They should be men Of magma
nimily, Of liberal and expanded minds and
hearts, and above the petty and debasing
control of sectional or party preludices,-
men who would rather part with Office, or
even life itself, than assist in the vile work
of sacrificing the true interests Of their
country for the sake of popularity or place.
As therefore the time is rapidly approach
ing when the people Of the United States
will be called upon TO choose whom they
shall elevate 10 tue Chief Maglstracy Of
the nation, il is very proper that the people
should begin to fix their attention upon the
subject, and that all lovers of their country
should give their support TO the man whose
past services and established character
point him out as worthiest Of the highest
office within their gift. For my own part,
Mr.. Editor, as one Of the people, | do not
hesitate to assert my firm belief that HEN
RY CLAY is that man. | believe that
If invested with the power Of the Presiden-
cy, he would dc more to bring the admin.
rity, the patriotism and the unsulled hon.
or OF. the days of Washington, than any
other man living. This belief is not the
mere result of personal prediction. hut
has been produced in my mind by calm
course oil observation and impartial refec
lion. As an evidence ofthis, / will attemnt
IN as brief manner as possible to rive
good reasons for the opinion, with the hone
That they will have due weight with those
who ike myself neither wish nor expect
any other benefit from government, than
such as will be common to every well dis.
posed citizen. Among the mos, attractive
features IN Mr.. Claws character. are his
consistency and openness of purpose
ihere never has been period yet, when
any man could be doubtful as to his senti.
mcnts on any political subject of import.
ance. Guided by honesty and integrity of
purpose, he has never failed 10 take nm =.
pen aud manly stand on every politicaIopes.
tion. lie has mover worn a mask while
mIngling IN the tide Of political conflict
nc has never aimed TO bold with the hare
and run with the Eounds--but while co,,r-
tesy and chiyalious honor have character.
lsed his whole course, both friends and IN.
ponents have all known exactly where TO
md him. In exact proportion 10 his
Dromptness and openness in assuming his
position, has been bis consistency in man.
alning 1t. Henry Clay has never dodocd
lor trimmed his political course. In, bas
sept the even tenor Of bis way. While
politicians around him. have
,usied themselves with cunning expedio,ts
0 entfap the unwary, and have been
every breath of sectional iealousv
nd prejudice, in order to swell their own
Ittle sails, Dir. Clay has maintained his !
ERECTION like gallant ship dashing aside ,
nc biiiows and moving ON III a n1aicstic
curse towards the appointed harbor. No q
IAN, according to all human percep,jon =
as ever animated with purer sn,rit or /,
atrIotlsm than Henry Clay. He Is an +
merican all over. lie is free from the I
iluence OF foreign feeling and manners =
I'd is as much superior 10 the tawdrv mi. :
itiG OF court etiquette as one of the nohlo
ks oil our western forests is above tho =
ckiy exotic that is reared in chamber :
lndow. The whole bent and disposition >
MS nature Is pure and native American. ;.
nc honor OF his country has ever been ol
c object nearest his heart in the manooe.
ent OF her national relations; and ber =;
osperlty at home has always been the O. q
n OF his political labors. We canno, il -,
true, declare that he has never erred h.
that would be more than can he said If e,
IN. But If he erred as statesman. Il NJ
pceh from too great a desire 10 foster he
nerican industry, and render his country s;l
any independent of foreign lands for ar. "a,
es necessary to her protection in war en-
her comfort and prosperity in peace. Tin
II the whole course Of this remarkable =
be examined, land no pubIc man in N,
country has been longer in active ser. s..
~ not a single political subject of opv 10
'ortance has occupied the attention ofI v;,
country for the last 80 years, in which ;ra
has not taken decided stand, and kent nlee
iili an extraordinary consistency. Can + IN
same be said respecting any other pnh. r.,
nan who IS likely to be placed bcEore na,