Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-09-14

POLITICS, &C.

POLITICS., &C.
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE
LETTER FROM MR.. CLAY.
In the Chambersburg Wing Of Thurs
day we find letter, eloquent and strong
from the "Chanbersburg Clay Club" Il
the Hon. Henry Clay, with his letter il
reply. The Committee introduce will
the following passage graphic sketch o
the progress of misrule in the country fo
a long period past :--.alsrandrio Gas.
"Why is it, Sir. that with Consii,u.
ton Of Government so admirably adapted
TO human welfare--wiih resources SC
multiplied an enterprise 50
vlgorous-means Of intercourse so rapid
and commodious, and literature so cheap
and abundant, VIC are not now, as former.
ly, prosperous and happy nation,-
proud of our retrosl ect, and exultDg in
the promise Of the future1 Why IS il
that all the great branches OF our national
industry ore in state Of proslration or
run? Our soil and climate have under.
gone no change Tor the worse; our ma
cninery for abridging labor and perfect.
ing its product has not dets riorated our
active population has los, nothing in point
Of energy and skill. Whence IS it III. n
that our prosperity has been thrown into
abeyance-that the capitalist finds no
quite, for his means. ard the laborer re
mains without employment"
The length of the Committees letter
forblds its enseriion entire. 1t is written
with great force and spirit. Mr.. Clay
replies as follows:
Mr. CLAWS REPLY.
ASHLAND, 25th July, 1913.
GENTLEMEN:
have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt oil the communication which in
behalf oS the Clay Club of Chambersbu,g,
you addressed to me, informing me Of the
organization of that association, and Of
its determination TO cooperate with simi-
lar institutions, and our Wing fllow-cti.
zens generally. in disseminating and es
tabl shing sound principles OF Government
in the United Sites. You are also pleas.
ed, gentlemen, at the instance Of the Club,
to request my acquiescence in the various
nominations, which have been made of
me for the Office of Chief Magistrate Of
the U. States. hope the success OF the
exer,ions Of the Club, in the propagation
and establishment Of CORE ct principles,
may be CONNIE nsurate with its iaudable
and patriotic aims. And tender il my
cordial thanks and grateful uckno~l ledge.
meDls for the friendly sentiments and
wishes which it entertains towards my
SELF ] am infinitely obliged TO my fl
ow.cl,izens for the numerous testimoni'
Of their confidence and attachment, in
manlf, sting their desire that should I'll
the highest Office in their git; and what
ever may he the final result my heart will
ever be animated by feelings Of the liveli.
est gratitude. The lime has not yet ar
rived, | think, when | ought to decide
whether | shall give my consent or not
to the use Of my name, as candidate
for the office Of President OF the United
States. When it does | shall give to all
the considerations which should influence
my judment full weight. and, among them,
the friendly wishes of the Clay Club of
Chambelsburg.
| concur with you, gentlemen, gener-
ally, in the retrospect VII CHI you have
presented of the administration Of public
affairs, during late years, snt in The mea.
SUES Of policy which ought to guide it.
If we are not utterly dec ived in the the
DRY of fee Government the people OF the
United States ought all along to have
been and should now be, the hsppiest and
most prosperous people upon The earth !;
but our condition has be. n, and continues
10 be far otherwise. 1t is impossible 10
contemplate the Administration of the
Government, during nearly the las, if.
teen years. without feelings of the deep
est regret and bittIest modification. -
That long period has been marked BY re-
len,lsss proscri ption, similar in spirit, If
not attended with the same efTuslon of
blood, as that which is recorded in Roman
history to have been perpetrated by Ma.
RUS and SyIla by reckless experiments
end the overthrow Of valuable institutions;
by the destruction oil the best currency in
the world, and consequent arrangement
in all the business of society; by extern
sive and scandalous peculation ON the
part of public functionaries by extrava.
CANT and proaga,e expenditure oftbe
public money; by attempts to subvert
the long cherished policy of the country,
under which it had eminently nourished
and prospered; by relaxation in the res
pect and authority due to the law and
Constitution; BY widespread and alarm.
ing decentralization by fearful grow tn
and corrupt use Of power Of the Execu.
tive branch Of the Cove snm mt and, f.
nally by degree Of per6dy in the head
of that branch, Of which no equal example
can be fund in this or any other Country,
IN this or any other age. At the com.
mencement ofthe administration OF the
preser, acting Chief Magistrate, the lead
ers of our political opponents, with few
honorable exceptions, assiduously courted
and caresssd him; fa,terine and prais-
ing him for the violation of the Just ex-
pectations Of the con6ding people. They
marched up, in solid column, arm in arm,
along the Pennsylvania Avenue to the
Presidential Mansion to thank and con.
graduate him, for exercising a ROYAL pre.