Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-05-06
From the Lexington Tntelligencer of the l4th inst.
MR.. CLAY'S SPEECH.


Mr.. CLAY'S SPEECH.
We had hoped that the speech of our
distinguished fellow-citizen, delivered on
Monday last, would have been written out
for the press. Wehave been disappointed,
however in this, and must content ourself,
and our readers must be satisfied with the
imperfect sketch we shall be able to present
from recollection.
The Administra,ion-the Bank-Tariff
Observation-Disclosures of Executive pow
er, and the Bankrupt Law, were the topics
upon which he dwet. He spoke of the
open bribery and corruption now prac-
tised, and more shamelessly avowed by
the administration in the distribution of
the patronage of the Government, with
the acknowledged and boosted purpose of
securing to the support of the Admins
tration one of the great parties of the
country. Mr.. Tyler had tried one and
found it clad in the armor of truth and
justice--true to itself and the country
impregnable to all assaults, either upon its
virtue or its patriotism--neither to be
awed by the frowns, nor seduced by the
promises of power. Fooled in this, he was
now e1erting all the vast patronage of his
office TO buy up the Democratic party to
his support. Mr.. Clay thought that, how
ever unprincpled leaders might be dis
posed TO bargain and barter away their
principles for the sake of office, the great
mass of the party would scorn the efforts
made TO bribe them. He said that he "had
no hesitation to express his opinion, as an
humble and private citizen, that no man.
who had any feelings of self-respect or
honor or patriotism could take or hold any
office, the tenure of which depended on
the Presidents will, subject to the degrad.
ing and disgraceful conditions which were
imposed upon its possession, and that it
il would be the bounden duty of the next
President elected, be he wing or democrat.
TO purify the public service by promptly
discarding all such contaminated incum-
bents. He hoped there were many, he
knew there were some, now in Office who
disdained TO submit to any such disgrace
full conditions, and they ought, and he
doubled not would receive inst and full
consideration, and he judged according to
their capacity, honesty and fidelity to their
country"
In connection with this subject of Gov
eminent patronage, Mr.. Clay took occa-
sion to speak Of the fact, that, for the past
fifteen years. the Wings had been almost
entirely excluded from all participation in
the honors and emoluments of office. He
said, "that, in his opinion, if Wing Presi-
dent should be elected, it would be his i'm
perative duty to do ample justice, in the
administration of the public patronage, to
the great Wing party of the country
what he verify believed for years had en-
braced a great majority of the people OF
the United States. That party, for up
wards of fourteen years past, with the ex-
ception of one month, had been systemati-
cally prescribed and excluded from all pub
lie employments. Not only from original
appointments, but, when they held office
they have been hurled out TO make way
often for unworthy persons, of opposite
politics. And SO is Mr.. Tyler now pursu,
ing this practice that he is dismissing mer
whom he put in, no, only without charge
without fault, without any species of trial
bat with full knowledge that the dutie.
of their Offices have been diligently, hon
es,ly and faithfully executed. and putting
back in their places men whom he had him
elf dismissed Every consideration Of
equality, Of equity and Of justice, demands
said Mr.. Clay, that the most full and com
plete reparation of the injuries done to the
Wing party should hereafter be made. MOI
would that be prescription. II would b.
the severest rebrke of proscri ption. o.
the contrary, to continue in office men
who had been put there by the dismissior
Of other and better men, for political rea