The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-05-02
ueNRY CLAY Ar LEXINGTON.

| pie of Lexington, Kentucky, upon the state oil the
Nation The Kentucky papers say that the gather
| ing 10 hear the unrvOilcd orator was very
creat-the largest ever Witnessed in that place, MIR.
Claws address was also characterised by the ability
and elooucncc Of his performances in earlier days
No report of his speech made, and we have seen
but brief sketches Of portions OF it. The Lexington
Observer makes tho following notice of it:
eve have oft IN heard Mr. Clay but must say thnt
never did he appear in our estimation, to such advan
tnre as on this OCCASION There scarcely topic OF
National moment that he did not touch and touch
witha cearness and ability that astonshed even his
| old admirers.
| MIR Clay commenced his speech by beautiful nc
acknowledgements to all parties on his late trip to the
South west for the honors they had showered upon
him ard he thought the proper place TO make these
| acknowledgements was to the people of Fayee;
! where he lived and to whom he said he was chiefly
indebted for whatever distinction lie had acquired or
whatever opportunity had been afforded ohim of do
ing service to his country.
His connection with the Bank Bills OF the Extra
session-hs defence Of himself against the charge of
having abandoned his old views in regard to n Bank
his reference 10 the twenty per cent clause in the
Distribution act-the Tnrif-the Bankrupt nct--were
all discussed aud all mpuiatons upon him in regard
TO these several subjects put at rest, suppose FOR
ever
We regret that we cannot present our readers the
whole Of Mr. CIay's speech; but there was one part
Of IT relating to the administration Of the Government
so very important to require that should be pub
lished, and think we can present 1t in the pre-
else language of that gentleman.
After having shown that the present administration
had totally abandoned the principles and party which
had brought it into power; had identified itself with
the Democratic party with which it was now one and
indivisble; and Systematically and corrupty adj
nlinisterng the patronage Of the Government TO buy
up the people of the United States rather TO buy
up the Democratic party TO the support of Mr. Tyler,
Mr. Clay proceeded to say: 'rhat he had hesita-
ton to express his opinion humble and private
citizen, that no who had any feeling of scf-re-
spect or honor or patriotism could aEe hold any Of
flee, tee tenor of which depended upon the Prcsi-
dents will. subject to the degrading and disgrnceful
conditions which imposed on its possession; and
that it would be the bounden duty Of the next presi
dent elected, be he Wing or Democrat, to purify the
public service by promptly discarding all such con-
tdminated incumbents. He hoped there were many,
he knew there were some, now in office, who dsdain
ed 10 submit 10 any sucn ulsSraceIui Cohuitohs,
they ought and he doubted not would receive just
and full considerations and be judged according TO
their capacity honesty and fidelity to their country"
Mr. Clay then proceeded to say, ''that in his opin-
ion if Wing President should be elected, it would
be his imperative duty to 10 ample justice, in the
administration ofthe public patronage to the great
Wing party Of the country what he verify believed
for years had embraced majority Of the people Of
the United States That party, for upwards of four
teen years past, with the exception of one month,
had been Systematically prescribed and excluded
from all public empoyments Not only from origl-
nal appointments, but when they held Office, they
have been hurried out to make way, often for unwor
thy persons Of opposite politics And so far is Mr.
Tyler now pursuing this practice that he his dismiss
ing men whom he pn in not only without fIut with
out any species of trial, but with full knowledge
that the duties oftheir Offices have been diligently,
honestly and faithfully executed and putting back in
their places men whom he had himself dsmissed-
Every consideration ofequaty of equity and justice
demands, said Mr. Clay, that the most full and conf
pcte PREPARATION Of the in ures done 10 the Wing par
ty should be hereafter made. Nor would that be pro
scripon. On the contrary, continue in office men,
who had been put there, by the dsmisson of other
and better men, for political reasons, would be to
sanction, consunmate and perpetuate prescription
But could it be regarded prescription in this coun
ry?' ~ :,
i'No man felt more profoundly than he did the evils
which were likely grow ont of the struggles for the
prize of Government, with the distribution of all its
honors and Offices exclusively confined TO tho success
full party. He doubted whether our system could
long endure the consequences Of such Struggles
But he hoped that remedy would be hereafter found
either in the amendment Of the Constitution the
Law, to guard against these evils"
Mr. CIay's noble appeal to the Wings in conclusion
to stand by their cause, was, we believe responded
to by every Wing in the vast crowd, and we doubt if
every Wing did not leave the ground with his faith
strengthened, and his zeal renewed tenfold in behalf
of the glorious principles Of his party land the glorious
chief who so nobly maintains them.
We have the qualification to assure our friends at
| distance, that distingu shed reighbor
in finer health and shirts and that he them