The New York herald., 1844-09-09
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN N. CLAYTON.
At the Whig Mass Meeting, held at Lancastel

SPEECH OF HON. JOHN m. CLAYTON.
At the Whig Mass Meeting, held at Lancaster,
Pcnnsylvsnia, September 8, 1sA4.
FELLOW. CITIZENS I'VE have this day assembled
under circumstances which not only excite hope
and awaken the expectation Of success, but induce
the belief that the battle has been fought, and the
triumph of Wing principles rendered certain. The
PROCLAMATION OF our final victory will. trust, soon
follsw. The centre of the enemy's army was
broken in the battle-felds Of Louisiana, North
Carolina, Kentucky and Indiana. The shouts of
anticipated victory ring in nearly every quarter
where the enemy still fingers in the field. The
Texan soap-bubbe has exploded in the South, and
has despatched all who assisted in its formation.
Green Isle OF the Ocean, who arrived in this country
during the present year, and who had visited some
OF car mighty mass meetings, declared that ii a
man were to Judge by appearances only, Harry
United States; for he had heard bets of ten to
offered in his favor, and no one had ventured to
take them up. "But," he added, 81 don't believe
syllable OF it, and if had thousand guineas, I'd
risk 1t all that Ould Kentucky will run him to the
bride bits, if he does not pass him at the winning
post tor there is nothing so much heard in the
whole country as
'Clear the track for ould Kentuckyvn
Indeed, had we no knowledge Of what is going on
in other parts Of the United States since the Pres
Dental canvass opened the appearances now around
us would indicate victory as overwhelming as 1t
appears to be certain. And, first of all among the
subjects of congratulation now to be seen In the
midst Of us, behold the mothers and daughters OF
the Republic gathered together TO do honor to the
glorious cause, for the support OF which we have
this day assembled. What an array Of beauty
and loveliness is now before us! What whig heart
is there that does not beat high with smotion, as
the ladies, God bless them appear this day, to
honor us and to cheer us with their APPRECIATION.
Such are the descendants OF those who, IN the
days Of the A%srican Revolution, bound the
and anguish wrung his brow" were as minister
ing angels to the suffering patriet. (Cheers
On such an occasion, and In the midst OF such a
display as this, may we not pause 10 inquire why 1t
is that woman has condescended TO leave her tram
quill retreat and encourage us IN the present srug
gle! Unused to scenes OF violence, ,unaccustomed
to controversy and strife, the high and holy in
that the strength Of her influence over man, is in
the silken cords of love and affection; and she
now does not appear upon the arena as political
gladiator to do battle for u.s. but by her gentle pre-
while inspiring with the highest respect for and
the deepest devotion to, her rights and the rights o.
the country. In whatever assemblage OF the faith
ers, the brothers, and the sons OF the Republic,
strife, but to inculcate the sentiments Of peace on
earth and good will among men. But while she
teaches this, the American matron is not unmlnd-
full of that other maxlm which she and her broth
ers, in times now long gone by, were taught by the
mothers OF the Revolution-that resistance to ty.
rants is obedience to God. She has seen, in this
our. better day, the altars of public and private
faith desecrated by faction which has denied the
validity Of contracts when il became nconvenienl
to comply with them and her native good sense
has taught her, that whenever it shall be establish
ed as principle, that the public honor can be
trampled under foot with impunlty-that public
debt solemnly contracted by a State may by tina,
same State be repudiated and aAnuled that the
faith OF the representatives OF the people, solemny
pledged to the corporate bodies by them created,
may be broken at peasure-then the distance will
not be me assuring cast to that deep damnaton,
which will attend the utter abrogatlon OF the mar.
riage tie itself She stands devoted to the faith OF
her fathers, mistaken by all the new doctrines Of
the day, which tend to the subvcrslon OF social or
der and domestic happiness, as well as the abolition
of all the consultations OF our holy religion. With
an arm weak as infancy in ruffian battle, and In.
capable OF defence, except as her Innocence Il
shielded by the stout hearts and strong hands Of
her countrymen, who would die to honor and de-
fend her, she stands now in the van Of our host
and mplores the God who holds the hearts OF the
people in the hollow OF his hand,' TO protect and
assist those who aim to vindicate cause In which
she has SO great a stake, and IN which the
dearest interests of her country are so deep
ly involved. Her presence here this day, Is
the surest guaranty we could have. that
shall be conducted with order and decorum. And
observe with JOY, that the mere announcement oi
that guaranty is received BY You as just compli.
ment, and tribute to the chivary OF the American
character, which, for its courtesy TO women, has
become proverbia throughout the world Yes
amidst all those offences, with which we can, as
Americans, Justly charge ourselves, there IS still
this proud and honorable consolation left us-our
national reputation tor respect to the sex and ne
would lose his name and character as a true man
who world dare TO lift his hand in anger, in the
presence Of woman. Shall we, then, my coun.
trymen, | ask ysu, shall we suffer the counsels Of
those to prevail, who seek to banish woman from
the presence Of man, while engaged IN consnta
ton, as we are this day, on subjects Of the highest
and most exciting interest, both to her and us
No! We will welcome her presence on every
such occasion as this, and will not only protect
her from insult, but with pride and gratitude, We
will acknowledge the honor she has done U.S.
(Great cheering) My fellow citizens, that faith
which binds the moral elements OF tne world to-
gether, which joins in connection nations, socie-
ties, and parties of men, was never more delibe-
rateIy, never more shamefully violated, than by
the Convention which nominated James h. Polk
as candidate Tor the Presidency OF the United
States If their party presses can be accredit-
ed in any thing, the. majority OF their Convention
attended il under instructions from those who
sent them TO vote for Martin Van Buren, Of New
York, who had, in the most solemn manner, pro
claimed TO the world his utter hostility to a project
then afoot, Of Immediately annexing Texas to the
United States How these instructions were viola
ted, how the confidence of those who deputed these
agents to act for them was abused, how the faith
these delegates owed their constituents was
trampled under foot how the sacred principle that
the majority shall govern was spurned at and pros
trated, is too fresh IN your recollection to need
recapitulation from me. have nothing TO do with
indeed, as wing, | take no interest in dwelling
upon the mode and manner III which a palpable
fraud was practised by one portion of that party
upon another. But, as citizens, assembled to dis
cuss the principles Of both parties, we have the
right-and il IS our duty to inquire what the nature
and character Of that bond Of union which binds
together and keeps within the magic circle OF
party, as il all were stricken with the spe Of wi
card, men the most opposite, the most discordant,
the most antagonzing views, interests and feelings.
What is that which yesterday rlyeted within that
magic circle the large majority of that party who
sent their delegates to Baltimore, instructed to vote
for Martin Van Buren,, who had denounced the pro-
ected annexation of Texas, asa measure IN viola
on Of the faith of treaties and pregnant with ma
the same victims within that magic circle, spell
bound, TO maintain and uphold, by the election OF
James X Polk, thatssame measure OF annexation
as now necessary the glory and prosperity Of the
republic! Why is It that the acquisition OF Texas,