Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1844-05-16
A Letter from Mr. Clay-lIis COuSSe in the
Presidential Canvass
To The Editors Of the National InteIigenccr
WAsmIsGToS, May 3, 1914.

II iItNutHtiut Suu'uSN
TO the Editors Of the National Intelli gencor
WAsn'scros, May 3, 1914.
Il GENTLEMEN Prior to the CONNIE nee
ment aud during the progress Of the
Journey which have recently made
To some OF the Southern States,
received numerous invitations TO visit my
fellow citizens at various points Of the
i Union. l was compelled to decline ac-
Icepling the greater number Of them
and, in most instances, transmitted an
swers accordingly bot, as | may have
omitted to reply to some Of them, and as
others addressed TO me may not have
reached me, to all such request 10 be
Eallnwed, through the National Intelli-
gencer, To communicate "A general and
respectful answer, ,and TO state the ground
on which | shall feel constrained 10 place
any similar invitations with which ! may
be IN future honored.
These popular demonstrations OF
friendship. attachment, and confidence
towards ire are highly gratifying to my
feelings, and are entitled TO- an express
sion Of my profound aud grateful ac-
knowleda emenls. If it were suitable
and proper, in my judgment, to meet
assembIages Of My fellow citizens on
the occasions proposed, | would embrace
the opportunity with pleasure, and should
exchange friendly salulalions with them
with warmth and enthusiasm, on my
part, no; exceeded by iheir own But
an event of importance took place on the
first instant in Baltimore. A Conven-
ton OF Delegates from the Wing party,
coming from all parts Of the United
States, acting IN conformity with the
well ascertaIned wishes and senlne nts
Of the Wings of the United States, has
formally announced my name as can
didale for the Office of President Of the
United States, and, from high sense
of duty, | have accepted the nomination.
1t has been, moreover, ratified by anoth-
er Convention, composed oi Delegates
from every part Of the United States,
who assembled on the Cd instant in Bal
iimore. Being thus placed, with my
own consent, IN the attitude of candi-
date for that high Office, | feel myself
bound to respect and perform all the
duties and obligations which appertain to
me in that character.
The election Of a chief Magistrate of
IA free, great, aud enlightened nation is
one Of the gravest and most momen,ous
functions which the People can exercise
II is emphaIcally, and ought to be ex-
cluslvey, their own business. Upon the
wisdom Of their choice depends the
preservation and soundness of free in
s,ltullons, and the welfare aud prosperity
of themselves. In making h,they should
be free, impartial, and wholly unbiased
by the conduct of candidate himself. |
Not only, in my opinion, is it his duty to
abstain from all solicitation, direct or in
direct, of their suffroges, but he should
avoid being voluntarily placed in situa-
'lons to seek, or in which he might be
supposed to seek, to influence their
their judgment.
Entertaining these views Of what be-
come candidate for the exalted Office
Of President of the United States, shall
act in strict conformity with them Il
'iC'td'c', Hnu WIFI tUe Venul1p lTeSl-
dental election is decided, ! cannot ac-
cept nor attend any public meeting Of
my fellow citizens, assembled in refer
ence TO that object, to which may have
been or shall bs invited. 1t is my wish
ard intention, when ] eaye this city, 10
return home as quietly and quickly as
possible, and, employing myself in my
private business and affairs, there 10
iwait the decision of the Presidential
'leclion,' acquiescing in it, whatever it
nay be, with the most perfect submis-
'iop. 4
hope those who bave honored me
With invitations to which have not vet
eplied, and those who may have intend
I'd me the honor of transmitting others,
vii accept, without disapprobalion, this
Exposition Of the motives by Which | aup
governed. H
| ao, gentlemen, your friend ard
'beGient servant: Ii. CLAY. /
II