Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1843-09-07

,overnsneSt so admirably adapted Is human
Felfare-wiih resources 50 multiplied and exu.
ler3ni+ cplerPrise 50 yigorous--means OF inter-
course 20 rapid and commodio1k, and literature
% cheap and abundant, we are not now as forz II
ne5ls 9pFosperous and happy natios-<pro1d or
bur retrospect and exuiiing IN the promise Of Il
he futhref Why is il that all the great branch
IS Of OR national industry ara 10 state Of pros
Iratioa or ruins Our soil and climate have I'M
aergone no change for the worse our. machine
~ for hbridging labor aud perlecling is product
has not deteriorate5; our active population has |
lost nothing in point Of energy and skill. =
whenes is il then th9K our prosperity has been |
throwh into aheysRce, that the capitalist finds i
outlet for his means, and tie laboFer remains
without employment !"
The length OF The Committees letter forbids |
its Insertion entire. Il is written with grea,
force and spirit Mr.. CLAY replies as follows
II AsHLASD July IS, 1919
GESTLEMES have the honor 10 acknowi- !
edge the receipt of the communication which, in
behsif of The Clay Club Of Chambersburg, you
edEressed 10 me, Informing me of the organiza- !
zion of that association, and Of its determination
20 cooperate with simia. Institutions aud cur
Wing felIow-citizens generally in disseminating
AM establishing sound principles of government
inEthS United States, You are also pleased. gen
tlemen, atihe instance ofthe Club 10 request my
acquiescenee in the various nominations which
have been made Of me for the Office q: Chief Ma
gstrate Of the United States. hope the success Of
Tie enerlions Of The Club ID The propagation and
establishment Of correct principles may he com
mensurale with lis laadabie and patriotic aims. 1
And u tender il nv cordist thanks and grateful
Acknowledgements orlhe friendly sentiments and
wishes which il enleflains towards myself am
Infinitely obliged 10 my fellow-citizsns for the
numerous testimonies OF their contdence aud at
Iachtneniin nlanifesting their desire that should
fll the highest office 10 their gift and whatever
may be the final fesnt.my heart will ever be ami
rnafdby feelings Of the hvelest gratitude. The
time has not vel arrived, 1 think, when ought
to decide whether shall give my consent or not
70 the use Of my name candidate Cor The of
hcego President o. The Uailed States Whenlt
does, shall give to a "a the considerations which
should influence my judgment full weight, and,
among Them, the friendly wishes Of The Clay Club
| hf ChamberSburg.
II Ifconcur with you, gentlemen, generally in the
lFetfospecl which you have presented Of the ads
mihistration Of public affairs during late years,
land in the measures Of policy which ought 10
guide il. II we are not utterly deceived IN the
ithsory 81 free government, The people Of The u
United States ought all along 10 have been and
Should now be the happiest and most prosperous
Hpeople upon the earth but our condition has
Bbeen and continues to be, for otherwise. Ii IS
impossible 10 contemplate the administration Of
THE Government during nearly the last fifteen
EyeArs without feelings Of the deepest regret and
b:Gerest modification. That long period has
Ebeen marked by relentless prescription, similar
inknirt, il moi attended with the same efusioh
ofFbIood, as that which is recorded in Roman his
toFy TO have been perpatTaed BY Marins and Syl-
/ laE; by reckless experiments and The overthrow
L 4 F.Ls
bes; curIency 10 the world, aud consequent de-
rangelnent in all the business Of society bv ex-
iehsye and scandalous peculation on The part Of
pabic funclionarieS by extravasant and profit
H gate expenditure of The public money ;4by at
elnpts to suhver the long-cherished policy Of the
Il countTy under which il had eminen.y flouriShed
aid pfospered by relaxation in The respect aud
H aelhotty due 10 the Jaw and Constitution BY
widespread and alarming Decentralization by a =
the Executive branch OF The Government !; ard
Enaly, by degree OF perfdy in the head Of that
bfalch, Of which no equal example can be found
il This or any other country, in this or any other
| age AT the COMMENCEMENT Of the adminisira-
ton Of the present acting Chief Magistrate, he
leaders of our political opponents, with few
| honorable RECEPTIONS, asSiduously courled and
EcRressed him aallering and pfasing him for his
\ violation Of The just expectations Of a con1iding
i people. They marched up in solid column, arm
iH arm. along Pennsylvania avenue TO The Presi-
Dental ma1sion, 10 thank and congratulate him fol
exercising royal prerogatige 10 defeat The wishes
and hopes Of the people. Men, under The abuss
Cd name Of Democrats, loudly exulled inthe fail
ure Of measure demanded by The urgent wants
and voice, and essential TO the promotion OF The
interests Of The people exulted in the perverse
and corrupt viii Of one man overriding The will
of large majority or The nation! In the dis
Tensatiol Of an allfwise Providence, retributive
Justice assure 10 come sooner or later. The act
ing President, so much wooed by political lea
Hers in the beginning Of hi, administration, now
rs us end approaches, in his turn, and very much
10 tieir annoya1ee, exercises all bis blaadish
menls upon their party. Nor Is their danger 81
lfegrels diminished By the fact that whilst their
IRnstfuments Of seduction were Ihoneyed words,
his are the lucrative Offices of Government.
IL The great political event Of 1870 had an OBJ
I5ect. far more elevated and important than that
tor change ID the high .funct ionares Of the ma
ihtion. 1t was to bring about a radical improve
Eiment in public policy. And what after that
levebt, was the manly, liberal, yand patriotic
course which the defeated party should have
pursued twas 10 have cheerfuIfy acqpiesc.
led in the will Of The People procla lined by all
unekampled and overwhelming majority. They
Eshoult have said: 1.-THE people disapprove Of
Jour system. They require sound currency of
uniform value. They ara opposed 10 the Sub
Treasury. They demand distribulion5of the
proceeds oCfthe sales Of The public lands among
all the Slates. They insist upon an honest and
ECONOMICAL administration OF their public affairs
They are opposed % the encroachments OF the
Executive department., and require sautary re-
Ystrsints upon its power. We shall continue, by.
free discussion and fair arguments, 10 recon-
mend our measures, and to expose those Of our
political opponents; but they are entitled 10 fair
trial Of their system Of policy, and we will make
no factiuus opposition. nor throw any unfeason-
able obstacle 10 their way. Above all, we scorn
TO employ any arts to seduce from the path Of
A his duty the man who has reached his elevated
stalio0S 10 spite Of our strenuous exertions a.
gainsLhim, by the confidence which they gener.
ously reposed in his honor and 6deliiy.n How
far the leaders Of the other party have conform
led to this upright and straightforward course
past and daily passing events sufficiently iesi-
|Ify. They prove that the acting President and
4 the party which has assumed the name Demo-
leratic without the least colorof lille 10 il, are
Enow completely identified, closely united, oIe
and ndiFisibls. IL, in the sequel, they should
6nd him an inconvenient associate, they ghaye
i nobody but themselves 10 reproach.
The last war with Great Britain taughl the
1osa.,n thai ,l1trr. c,.ssaeA ,...at2,