Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-07-08
RICHMOND WING.
FRIDAY MORNING, JULY 8.
MR. cLAY,s SPEECH.

We conclude TO day MIR Clay's speech at III,
Lexington Festival. The whole is contained in III,
country paper; and il will afford rich treat TO the
thousands and ten OF thousands OF admirers OF tina,
great man. Il is probably the last public speech
which will ever fall from the lips of him, who i,
eosiessedly the orator OF the age, and whose name
has been, for twenty-five years, familiar MS house
hold words, the wide world over, wherever freedom
had volary. Its tone and temper are such that i,
may be read with pleasure and prof, by men Of all
parties for it is not less plain and impressive mar
rative of the political history OF the last twelve
years, than it is luminous exposition of sound Re.
publican doctrines.
Apart from the interesting illusions to his own
early life, the portions Of most practical importance
ut the presen, time. are those which relate to the
causes, which have brought the country to its pre-
sent deplorable condition. No nan can gainsay
the historical accuracy with which the speaker has
traced these causes. When MIR Adams retired from
the helm of affairs, the Government and the people
were in state Of high and increasing prosperity
Economy, efficiency and honesty pervaded the pubs
lie service. Asystem Of measures was in operation
mutually beneficial to the Government and the PEG.
pie Whilst the former enabled TO liquidatc debt
contracted in two wsrs-the latter were augmen,ins
the sources OF comfort and wealth with n rapidly un.
preeedenied in the history OF man. In few brief
years a melancholy change came over the condition
oil the Government and individuals. The old order
OF things, which had been tried and proved good,
was abandnnej;- rude Innovations novel and ruin>
Gus experiments became the order Of the day. The
Offices Of the people became the prey Of parts,ns-
waste, ineompetency, corruption aud rogucry SUI
fnsr al
eountibity in the public service. The currency
the best in the world, substituted by one which
has come TO be very nearly worthless and the habits
OF temperance and industry and content with sma III
and certain gains among the people were succeeded
by wild and reckless specuatons-the inevitable
results Of the system of tumperng with the curren
cy, adopted by the administration: The end Of
all these boosted experiments was the bankruptcy
OF the Government, and intense pecuniary distress
among the people-from the effects of which-bolh
Government and people continue TO suffer.
These disastrous results were produced in spite
OF the most strenuous opposition OF Mr. Clay and
the Wing party. From day to cay, they warned
the Experimenters OF the mischief they were
bringing upon the country, and exhorted them
to pause in their mad career. But admoniton and
'"NN'J "N'N u'hc nc men VINO
bore rule were infatuated. and deaf to the voice of
reason and the cries Of distress. The Gun OF bitter
ness overlooked. The people could endure no long.
er. They rose in the majesty of their strength, and
hurled their aithless and unworthy agents from the
posts Of honor and power. A change succeeded
IN the Administration, and the popular pulse
beat high with hope No more, it was thought.
would the land be scourgsd with the despo,ism of
one man-no more would the substance OF the
people be consumed in ministering to the rapacity
of greedy partsans and Infamous flvouri,es The
voice of tie people was once again to bear sway,
and wise measures, suited to their wants and pro-
motive of their interests, were TO substitute the ru-
nous measures OF the dark and ingorious reign Of
Loco Focoism. But in the hey-day of our rejoicing.
death interposed, and at the very Threshold Of the
good work, blighted the glorious prospect. Trcach.
cry stepped in, and consummated the task which
Death had left unfinished.
We are now where we began-in the slough CT
Loco Focosm. Those whom the people, by
mighty exertion of their power, had banished, are
by means Of treachcry and perhdy, restored to in
fuence, and Loco Foco counsels, which have az.
: hicted this land much, once moro bear sway.
The only hope len for deiiverancc and safety t..
to make another 1910 effort to reform the Govern.
men;, and revive the measures which, in their day.
brought blessings 10 the people aid the Govern
ment.