Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-09-15

The following manly and eloquent letter
from Henry Clay was addressed to the
ChanlberShnrp Claw Club in answer TO a
communication requesting his opinion upon
the condition and prospects of the country.
ASHLAND, Psi July 1913.
GENTLEMEN IL have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of the communication which in behalf of
the Clay Club Of Chambersbnrg, YOU addressed to
me-, informing me of the organization of that associ-
alton, and of liz determination TO cooperate with
similar Institutions, and our Wing fellow citizens
general y, in disseminating and establishing sound
principles OF government in the United States. You
are also pleased, gentlemen, at the instance of the
club, to request my ncqniescerce in the various NOM
nations which have been mnde of me for the office
of chief magistrate of the United States. hope The
success of the exerlions Of the club, in the progarion
and establishment of correct principles, may be com
nensurate with its Inndab!e and pntrio'ic aims. And
l tender II my cordial than S and grateful acknOwl-
edlnents for the friendly sentiments and wishes
which i cn'ertains towares myself. | am infinitely
o. llged 10 my fellow cltlzens for the numerous tcs'i-
monies Of Their confidence and attachment in mani
%efstlna their desire that ! should Fl the highest office
in their gift; and whatever may be the final result,
my heart will ever be animated by feelings of the
i!velicst gratitude. The time has not yet arrived, !
think, when l ought to decide whether | shall give
my consent or not 10 the use Of nv mime as n can
dldate for the office Of President of The United States.
When il does ! shall give 10 all the considerations
which should influence my Judgment full weight, and,
among them, the friendly wishes of the Clay Club oi
Chamhcrsbura.
! concur with you, gentlemen, generally, in the
retrospect which you have l;,;2sen,ed Of the admins
tln'lon Of public affairs, during late vears. and in the
measures of policy which ought to guide it. IL re
are not utterly deceived in the theory Of fee govern
'nent, the people Of the United Sla'es ought all along
to have been and should now be, the happiest and
most prosperous people npon the earth but orr con-
ui'lon mas been, and continues 10 be far other wise. 1t
Is impossible 10 contemplate the administration of the
government, during nearly the lest fifteen years,
without feelings of the deepest regre, and bit,eres,
m.rtliicallon. That long period has Teen marked by
ded with The same etlislon of blood, MS that which is
recorded IN Roman history to have been perpetJated
by Marns and Sylla; by reckless experiments and
the overthrow OF valuable institutions by the de-
s,rncton of the best currency in the world, and con.
seInent arrangement in all Tho business Of society
by extcnslvea and scanhalous pecula,ion on the mart o
public innctonnrles; by extravaaant and ppofiiqnt,
expenditure OF the public money by attempts I,
subvert the long-cherished policy of the country. un
Ter which II had eninently iourished and prospered
by elayrtlon IN the respect and authority due 10 III,
Jaw and Consultation; by widespread and alnrmin.
ie'n'Tn'z1ilon by n fearful growth and corrupt us
N the power Of the Executive branch Of the Govern
Inrni and, finally, iy n degree of perfiiy in tn
head OF tina. ranch, of which no equal example ca,
10" lonfid IN this or any other country. in Ibis or an
other nge. A I the commencement of the administra
lion Of the present acting Chief Magistrate, the lead
ers oi our political opponents, with n few honorabI
EXCEPTIONS, ass,duously couried and carrssed him
tiaiiering and prnisin. him for his violation of tn
JUS eHP"S'" nHS'i u cpi'illInS people. lney march
ed IN, IN solid column, arm in arm, a long Penn
svlvania Avenue, to the Presidential Mansion, 4
thank and congratulate him for exercising n Rovs
prerogative To defeat the wishes and hopes Of the PEG
pie. Men, under the abused name of Demoor.t
loudly exulted in the failure Of n measure denande
by the urgent wants md voice, and essential 10 til
promotion of The interests, Of the. pc Iple, exul,ed i
the pcrverse and corrupt will of one man, oyerrulin
7 the viii Of n large majority OF the nation. In Nh
7 dspcnsaiions of an All wise Providence, rerribu,iy
ilsilce is sure to come sooner or later. The actin
President, so much wnoed by political leaders in IN
beginning Of his administration, now, as its end M
proacies, in his turn. and veiy much to their ammo,
I ance, exercises all his Establishments upon their pa
c ~. Nor is their danger or regret diminished by II
fact, that, while their instruments OF seduction wei
( honeyed words, his are the lucrative Offices OF Go,
Il eminent.
c The great political event of 1910, had an object Il
: more elevated and important Than that of q me
II change in the high funciionaries of the Nation.
was TO bring about n radical improvement in publ
!. policv. And what, after that event, was the mnn|
Il liberal, md patriotic course which the defeated part
v should have pursned1 II was 10 have cheerfully a
o qniesced in the will Of the People, proclaimed bv
nnexamnlei md overwhelming majority. The
10 should have said: The peoDle disapproye of o.
n system. They require a sound currency of unif,r
value. They are opposed II the Suh-T'reasury v.
q They demand n distribution Of the proceeds o. Il
h sales OF the public lands among oil the States. tn,
" insist upon an honest and economical administrali
Of their public alfairs. They are opposed 10 the e
VI croachmenls Of the Executive department. and
qntre ~ssluiary restraints upon it's power. We sh
II roniinro, by free discussion and fair areumcnis,