Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-04-23
WING CONVENTION IN NORTH
CAROLINA,

A great Wing Convention was 10 be held al
Raleigh on the 4th inst, and committee, o
which Mr.. Badger, late Secretary Of the Navy
was member, invited Mr.. CLAY to attend it
to which he returned the following answer:
WASHINGTON, 2lst March, 1912
Gentlemen: have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your obliging letter, transmitting
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 held on the 9TH OF April, at Ra-
leigh.
Having long entertained an anxious desire
to visit North Carolina, have delayed answer.
ing your letter, under the nope that | should find
no circumstances or considerations opposed to
my enjoying the qualification on which such a
visit at this time would afford. But | regret
&c be compelled % say, without adverting 10
other reasons, that the pressure OF occupations,
incident 10 the final termination OF my service
in the Senate OF the United States, deprives me
OF the satisfaction OF accepting your invitation,
and obliges me TO postpone visit which hope
God will spare me to make hereafter.
| rejoice to hear of the fine spilit which pre-.
walls in North Carolina, and that the great Wing
party of that State is about to assemble in Con.
venton, for The purpose OF celebrating on the
present difficult and delicate position OF public
affairs. Our Country, brought to the verge Of
ruin, by long NAL. administration OF its General
Government, the sad effects Of which pervade
every section OF the Union, and are painfully
visible in every leading interest, had reason to
hope, after the glorious issue Of the ever men,
orable struggle Of 1910, that ms-rue would
cease, and measures, founded in wisdom and
experience, would be adopted, to restore the
prosperity Of the Nation. | need not say how
cruelty, in some important respects, all have
been disappointed. Our actual condition may be
described in few words, Instead of mutual
confidence between the acting President and
Congress, there is mutual distrust. Instead of
his throwing himself upon the principles and
the party that elevated him, he makes war upon
both. Instead Of harmony and cooperation,
there is discord and opposition, A President
without party, and parties without President!
A President, dcnouncng his friends, and court.
ing his political opponents, who, in their turn,
without entertaining for him the least respect
or confidence, give him hattery and praise
enough, just 10 deceive and delude him. A |
President who affecting 10 soar in all atmosp here
above that OF all parties, and 10 place himself
upon the broad and patriotic foundation Of the
whole nation, is vainy seeking, by cupabe
administration Of the patronage Of the Govern.
ment, to create a third party!
This, gentlemen, is faithful picture OF the
present posture OF our National Councils. There
may be those who will think that it would be
most prudent not to exhibit it to the gaze of the
world But believe that public virtue, and the
public interests, are always better subserved by
promul eating rather than concealing the truth,
And accustomed as | have been to It's language,
throughout my whole life, trust that the pre-.
cious privilege, Of feafessly utterng it, will
abide with me, during the short remnant OF my
lays.
The existing state OF things is anomalous and
But genuine patriotism takes
2ounsels only from its duty and its devotion.
Unappalled by difficulties, whatever may be their
magnitude, it redoubles its resolution and its
courage, as they increase and multiply, and
finally triumphs over all obstacles which lie in the
way Of the honor, the prosperity or the happiness
IF the country.
The Wing party, by faithful adherence to
is principles, at the hazard Of being prescribed
oy those whom it advanced to high power and |
he members Of The late Cabinet, by a voluntary |
surrender Of exalted stations, which they be.
ieved they could no longer hold without dishonor
md disgrace, have demonstrated to the whole |
world, that with them the love of country is par. |
mount to the love Of office. am sure that
n the good old North State, in which the first
Declaration OF American Independence was
made, there will be cordial response to this
sentiment.
Gentlemen let us persevere in this upright
course. | 60 into retirement, but shall not be
here an idle or Indifferent spectator, without
or interest in the welfare of the Union
only pass from one sphere Of action, where it is
doubtful whether, in the actual condition of the
,ublic councils, | could render any public ser