Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-27
big PIfnefplfs.


The annexed letter from MIR. Clay will serve 70
en.ightcn our Locofoco contemporaries respecting
subject on which they profess profound ignorance.
They cannot (they say) ascertain what the whig
principles are;-if they will read this, they will have
no farther cause to make this complain. These
principles, ss here briefly defined, are OF easy COM
prehenson TO the simplest capacity. They pro-
pose sound currency, which will give stability TO
commercial pursuits, and protect labor from impo
siion aad loss. They propose a disiribu;od u he
proceeds Of the sales Of the public lands among the
s,s,es-in pursuance OF right, justice and sound
policy. They propose 10 csriail the Executive
power, already too great for a Repub.ic-io es.a
b.ish the one term prnciple-and di,enhrsl the
Official corps from the dominion OF the President
In word, they propose 10 change radically the prin
eples and measures which have prevailed fJr the los!
IA years in the administration ofthe Govenmsnl-
ard which have brought 80 many and such heavy
Affections upon the land. Their objee. is TO restore
the Government to what il was Ia the pure R.pub.
lean days Of Jefferson and Madis1n-when honesty
and competency were passports 10 public trust, and
when the measures Of Governmcn, were an old TO,
and not a drawback upon the Industry and enter
prise Of the people. They refudnte the principles
Of modern Democracy, which maintain tbs. the OF
fees Of TIC people sPo5 for vic. orious ratisans
and tia, Office holders may plumber and steal
ad h5iium from the public, II they will only hurrsh
vocferously for the dispenser Of patronage; which
;ncuIca,e the doctrine that the Government should
only take care OF itself, and in executing that sole
duty, may tako 70 itself all the specie in the eoun
ny and reslric. the people to ragsi-uhieh teach
that a standing army Of 100000 is Of the very Is.
ssnoe Of Deuocney.-and that the caprcious viii
Of one man, however weak and wicked, ough. 10
override the deliberate opinion u ,Wo.thirds d
the American People. Wing principles discard
oil these new tangled theories, whether Of mo.
rails or politics. They maintain that Gov
eminent was instituted Tor the sole beneh, 0
the poople-and 10 that end il should DO hone5'l
and economically alminstered-that offce-holder
should be faithful 10 the Constitution and capabl
to the discharge Of the functions Ct their Office
that, while they arc not the slaves Of the appointing
power, they have no right, in virtue OF their Office
10 rob the public, as was the common practice dur
ing tho late, and for sught that is known 10 tie
irary, the present Adnins'rsiion-Thst The voice O
the majority Of the people, within the pale Of III
Constitution, ought 10 govern and give Law 10 III
y land.
These, according to Mr. Ciay's exposition and I
our understanding are the principles Of tho whig
! They may be denounced os Federal by what is IA
cstiousiy termed the modern Democracy but the
are the only principles compatible with Reppbha
Institutions, and with the property or great an
n free people.
ASHLAND, September 1911, 1912
!, Dear Sn-I received your favor communication
the patriotic purpose and views Of tho young me
10 Of PHILADELPHIA; and Toxic pleasure, in eompliapc
With your request, IN stating some Of the princip'
u objects which, suppose engage the common desr
i md the common tNsrtion of the Wing partY,
bring about, m the government o. no U1ileJ 81 10
% These are