Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-09-07
MIR. CLAI'S REPLY.
ASHLAND, 18th July, iS

GENrIEMEN:--l have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of the communication which in behalf
OF the Clay Club of Chambersburg, you address,
ed 10 me, informing me, Of the organization of
that association, and of its determination TO CO.
operate with similar institutions, and our Wing
fellow citizens generally, in disseminating and
establishing sound principles of Government in
the United States. You are also pleased, gentle
men, at the instance OF the Club, 10 request my
acquesconce in the various nominations which
have been made of me for the Office of Chief Ma
gstra,e of the United States. ! hope the success
Of the eXeriions of the Club, in the propagation
and establishment of correct principles, may be
commensurate with lis laudablc and patriotic
aims. And tender it my cordial thanks ard
grateful acknowledgements for the friendly senii-
ments and wishes which il enterlains towards
myself. j am infinitely obliged TO my fellow cit
liens for the numerous testimonies OF their conf
dcnce and attachment in maniies,ing their desire
that should fill the highest office in their Gift;
and whatever may be the final result my heart
will ever be animated by feelings of the liveliest
gratitude. The time has not yet arrived, think,
when ought TO decide whether shall give my
consent or not to the use OF my name as can
didate for the Office of President of the United
States. When il does | shall give TO all the con-
siderations which should influence my judgment
full weight, and. among them, the friendly wishes
of The Clay Club of Chambersburg.
concur with you, Gentlemen, generally, in the
retrospect which you have presented of The admin
in the measures of policy which ought TO guide it.
II we not utterly deceived in the theory of free
Government, the people of the United States
ought all along 10 have been and should now be,
the happesi and most prosperous people upon the
earth, but our condition has been, and continues
to he, far otherwise. 1t is impossible TO contem-
plate the Administration OF the Government, dur
ing nearly the last fifteen years, without feelings
OF the deepest regret and biterest modification.
That long period has been marked by relentless
prescription, similar in spirit if not attended with
the same ciluson Of blood, as that which is re-
corded in Roman history to have been perpetrated
by Marius and Sylla; by reckless experiments and
the overthrow OF valuable institutions; by the de-
strnciion OF the best currency in the world, and
consequent arrangement in all The business of So
ciety; by extensive and scandaous REGULATION
on the part of public funutionaries by extraya-
giant and Protllgae expenditure of The public mon-
ey.; by attempts TO suhvert the long cherished
poiicy OF The country under which it had eminent
~ hourished and prospered by relaxation in tho
respect and authority due TO the law and Consti-
tution by widespread and alarming demoraliza-
ton by fearful growth and corrupt use of The
power Of the Executive branch of the Government:
and Hnaiiy, by degree of perfdy in the head of
mat branch, OF which no equal example can be
found In this or any other Country in this or any
oiher age At the commencement of the admins
is'rauon OF the present acting Chief Magistrate,
ihe leaders OF our political opponents with a few
honorable exceptions, assiduously cour,ed and
caressed INN; ia'tering and praising him for his
violation OF the just expectations of confidlng
people They marched up, in solemn column,
arm arr IN arm, along Pennsylvania Avenue to the
rreSiGeh''ai Mansion, 10 thank and congratulate
MN, Tor exercising a Royal preropalye, 10 defeat
me wishes and hopes ofthe People. Men, under
lhe abused name OF Democrats loudly exulted in the
iallnre OF measure demanded by the urgent wants
ana voice. and essential 10 the promotion of the
interests, OF the people exulted in the perveIse
llft.N 4.
oil large majority Of the nation In the dispen-
sauonS OF an all wise Providence, retributive Jus.
uce is sure TO come sooner or later. The actin6
President, so mnch wooed by political leaders, in
the beginning of his administration, now, as its
ehu approaches, In his turn, and very much to
their annoyance, exercises all his Establishments
upon their party. Nor is their danger or reprets
diminished, by the fact that whilst their nstru-
ments OF seduction were honeyed words, his are
the lucrative Offices of government.
HE great political event of 1910 had an object
lar more elevated and important than that Of a
mere change in the high funciionaries of the Ma
iion. IL was TO bring about radical improvement
In pubic policy. And what, after that event, was
me manly, liberal, and patriotic course which the
defeated party should have pursued 1t was TO
nave cheerluiIy acquesced in the will of the PEG.
pie, proclaimed by an unexampled and overwbelm
ing majority. They should huvo said f: "'rhe
people dIsapprove Of our system. They require
d sound currency of uniform value. They are
opposed 10 the Sub-Treasury. They demand a
distribution of the proceeds of the sales of the pub
lie lands, among ali the States. They insist up-
on an honest and economical administration of
theirpubIlc affairs. They are opposed to the en-.
cFoachmenis OF the Executive department, and re-
CURE salutary restraints upon its power. We
snail continue by free discussion and fair arob-
inehls, to recommend our measures, and TO expose
NOSE OF our political opponents (; but they are en-
uued to a fair trial of their system of policy and
we will make no factious opposition nor throw
any unreasonable obstacles i'm their way. Above
all, we scorn TO employ any arts to seduce, from
the path of his duty, the man. who has reached his
elevated station, in spite of our strenuous exer-
lions against him, by the confidence which they
generously reposed in his honor and fdelty"
low FAR the leaders Of the other party have con-
formed to this upright and straight forward course,
past and daily passing events sufficiently testi-
~ jhey prove that the acting President, and
The party which has assumed the name Democrat
c, without the least color OF title TO it, are now
completely identified, closely united, one and in
INVISIBLE If, in tie sequel, they should find him
~ inconvenient associate, they have no BODY but
themselves 20 reproach.
The last war with Great Britain TAUGHT The pa-
roc lesson that, during contest with a FOREIGN
'ower it is the duty OF all parties cordially 10
Inlte and to give our arms the greatest possible
hect and vigor; and that any party, which vo-
ates that principle, is sure 10 lose the public con-
ldence. Our experience, in season of peace
vi, trust, iRculcate another important lesson
hat ireachery and perfdy are alike detestabe. al
u times, aud will demonstrate, still more clearly.
nat Invaluable bat too often neglected truth, IN
ubllc affairs, that honesty is the best policy