Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-05-12

LETTER OF THE WIG MEMBERS OF THE
NEW YORK LEGISLATURE TO THE
( HON. HENRY CLAY.
\ 10 tic Honorable HENRY CLAY, Senator in
Congress from The Stale of Kcntucky
SIR:-The undersigned, members of the
Senate and Assembly of the State of New
ork, have heard with deep concern that you
nave resolved to retire on this day from the
! councils Of the nation.
From the year 1896, when you first enter
ed The Senate OF the United States, until this
time, more than half the period allotted to hu-
man life, you have, with one or tw., short in
:ervals, been constantly engaged in the service
ofyour country.
During that long period of our eventful his
tory, no Important measure which has contrib
uteG TO the prosperity or to the honor of the
nation is recollecled which, if not originated by
you, has not, at least, received your cordial
ard eloquent support.
The course ofyour policy has in all things
been eminently American. In peace and war,
as Senator, an Ambassador, the head of the
Department of State, you have secured for
your country abroad the respect of her sister
nations, while at home you have protected our
seamen and our ships, and extended our COM
! merce, fostered our home industry, and sus-
tanned domestic manufactures, and completed
our emancipation from colonial dcpende ace.
True to your principles, true 10 y our friends
and, above all, true to your country, it has
been your rare felicity to be a cherished lead
er among your political friends, and the fore
most champion of their principles, and at the
same time TO enjoy the respect and possess the
generous confidence of your felow-citjzens
of every political denomination.
1t is not within the compass of our design to
dwell upon the numerous monuments of YOUR
wisdom and your patriotsm-they live in the
history of the Republic. The evidences. too.
of your expanded philanthropy and devotion
to human liberty, are a part of the records of
! grateful nations. Bat there is one great mea-
sure which more than any other has occupied
your care, and to which we NAV be permitted
i particularly to alude, as demanding in an es-
Pecial manner the thanks of your fellow-ci,i-
zens-we mean The projection of home indus
Ifry.
This vital policy was adopted by YOU al
the commencement of your political life in the
Legislative halls Kentucky. 1t was the sub
ject oil your first effort, and constituted your
hrst triumph on entering the Senate of the u
nlted States in 1909; you re-establishe,. it az
ter the return of peace in 1916, and was its
successful deenderi in the great debates of 1920.
!. 1924, and 1892.
Atno period of your life have YOU wavered
OF ialtered In the support of this policy, and
! your solemn farewell counsels have now sane
toned, with the weight of thirty-fve wears,
experience, the great measure which Your ar
dcnt patriotism embraced at the commence
nent ofyour career. If the protection given
has not been always adequate TO the object, i,
is because 1t has not been such as YOU pro-
posed and advocated.
\ we owe II to you, sir, TO bear our testimo-
ny that while on the one hand the deficiency
IN the existing laws on the subject are altri-
ou'abie to no fault or remissness on your Fart
on the other, the imperfect degree of protec-
uoh we nave received, and which is in a grea
measure owing to your early, continued, and
constant efforts, has added many millions te
me wealth and many hundred thousands tc
'he population OF our countrv-has st.ippet
war OF It's greatest dangers and sorest caaml
ues' ny rendering lis independent of foreign
supplies, either of food or rament, or thu
weapons OF our defence, and has given new
charms TO peace by bringing the comforts an,
cu"'ehiehces OF life within the enjoyment O
all.
It's Tor these great national services that w
oeSire TO tender you our thanks. We speal
III our own names, but we believe we sDea]
'''e sentiments of those whom in other thing
We "',Ve me honor To represent, when we ac
: A'o"iedge the vast debt of gratitude which w
owe you when we declare our solemn con
Vicuon That through your whole political life
you nave been governed by the loitiest patri
otiSm and the most unsulied integrity an,
"hen' hnaliy, we assure you that we follow
you III your retirement with our PRAYERS (
I'm, - VINO has hitherto been the guardian of on
hepu1lc that health and strength may be pro
longed to you for many years. to witness tb,
success of the great measures YOU have labor
ed to establish; and to enjoy the proud con
seriousness of having been lie 5cncfactor O.
your bcloued countyy.
l.. Bradsh5 Robert G.. Nicholas.
Grastns Root, Gideon Hard,
Samuel Works, Nehemiah Plat.
: A. B. Dickinson, Abram DIXON
; Alvah Hunt, G.. Furman.
H. hhoadcs' C. Hopkins