The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-10-03
ANOTHER LETTER FROM MR., CLAY


that freedom from political agitation, at Ash
and, be pathetically hoped for. Much asains'
his inclination, indiscreet, ungenerous renas'
are eucroaching upon the peaceful hours OF the
retired veteran; they are still endeavoring to IN
ali, into his ears words Of ambitious interest,
that he may be seduced from the loved scenes
old age so necessarily covets, TO rush again IN
to the turmoil and violence OF party strife We
do not think they will be successful; 10 all such |
he ssnds a gentle but determined refusal. |
His letters breathe the spiri, we may suppose |
10 acluate a venerable, lf-denying saint, who, |
after having experienced in his youth and ma
tured age the effects Of human passions and the
vanity of human ambition, retires in his tolter-
ing years TO some pleasant secluded spot, on
holy thoughts intent, and thence issues TO the
friends he has left to combat with the folIies,
the wrelched la ors and heartless ingrali,ude OF
the world, invaluable epistles. JuH Of charity TO
all mankind, Of forgiveness Of enemies, and
of cancellations to the unfortunate
Hereafter, upon the pages OF our country's
annals, the name OF Henry Clay will be record
ed in happy contrast with those oil individuals
who have filled lofty stations, in the records OF
other countries. A Themistocles is banlshed
by people who fear his inordnate ambition,
and he Immediately seeks his country's dHest
foe, TO urge him against the land Of his birth.
A Corioanus is driven from Rome, where his
violent passions, his selfish pride, have render
ed him suspected, and, in revenge, he surrounds
her gates with horde of savage enemies. A
Marius is obliged to fly country his gross and
naughty spirit. his base and tyrannical conduct
have inlbit,ered, and he comes back flushed
with the ruin of cities, and eager 10 gloat his
vengeance in the best blood of their defenders
Bot Henry Clay, arithout The fatal ambition
of Themistocles, the orerbearing ttmper Of
Coriolanus, or the selfish hardihood of Marius'
after having been thrice rejected, oh time with
additional ignominy, by his f.low-countrymen,
retires peacefully quietly, fo'giving his enemies
blessing his friends, TO calm retreat, where he
passes his hours in the healthy cultivation OF the
soil, in the propagation Of virgin heifers, and in
The conteml lation Of the soon expected term'na-
ton of his mortal career
Some ev-designing and wicked enemy OF
this political saint has been forging his name
to series Of wretchedIy written, contemplate
letters, which have recently been circulating
throughout the country. The fraud is too gross
to deceive even the unwary, and we feel as
sured none will believe the letters genuine but
those that irish them so. AS an evidence OF
their probable forgery, we will give an extract
from one, rather less exceptionable in style than
the others: 1t is dated Ashland, 18th Septem-
TENDER, l842," and purports to be directed to
the " Trenton Clay Club" and its very address
proves its fasity for surely we have none Of the
controlling political clubs Of the old despotisms
introduced among us-no Jacobin clubs, friends
Of the People, Orange Lodges; they will an
swer well, perhaps, in countries where shackles
are placed upon the tongues as well as limbs of
men nerer with US, where thought is free,
and action uncontrolled. The words. as
have received, with lively sensibihty, your
letter communicating the formation of club
with my name, in the city Of Trenton.
For the friendly motives which have prompted
this association, and for the object which it is
proposed TO make it instrumental in accomplish
ing, tender the expression Of my grateful ac-
acknowledgements. l share, gentlemen, with you
in feelings of disappointment and indignation
on account of the base treachery of the acting
President of the United States. II will be diff
icult to find, in the annals Of history, an exam
pie Of equal political turpitude."
Now, will any friend of Mr.. Clay admit that
the above is genuine? ESQ, TO such friend we
have to reply.
We would frs, protest, most soemnly, against
the establishment OF political clubs in this coun
try, with their badges, their livery, their gather
ing slogans, and their disorderly meetings.
We are too recent from the scenes Of 1910 to
wish their immediate repetition; we want no
more organized clubs, where riots are planned,
debaucheIy engendered, and beaslly inox-
ication openly encouraged. In any country
an evil-in ours, thank God, they are not re-
quired. There is place and opportunity in the
broad light of day, and in the friendly meeting,
casual or otherwise, of man with his fellows
time, at the forge, in the mechanics shop, at
the plough, or in the factory, where discussion
can be happily carried on--where mind may
encounter mind, and thought come into fruitful
collision with thought. In our readng-rooms,
at our hresides, we can obtain the newspaper,
and digest its contents. knowledge, and what
constitutes the aliment of our natures, political
knowledge, can be obtained and exchanged
much more cheaply, much more reasonably
and much more virtuousy from the press, and
of our neighbors, than from the gregarous grog-
geries OF a few corrupting, corrupted party lead
ers For these last are demorazng, and their
initiatory fees are ruined habits and debased mo-
rails. We protest against their establishment,
then, in the name aud for the sake of the future
destiny Of our country: for the slke of our