Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-12-27

Col. Polk, FfeSlueHI 0l0"' " " "
Inv we give the address of Mr.. Clay, madeto
tbe Kentucky Electors, who visited him at
,.band. We think it proper for us 70 give
&c remarks to our readers for the obvious rea-
an Of showing them that Mr. Clay is not al
..,o.ber so bitter as his friends:
81 am greatly obliged, gentlemen, by
.ho kindness towards me, which has
aromnted this visit from the Governor, the
Presidential Electors Of Kentucky, and
come of my fellow citizens, in private life.
And I thank you sir Mr. Underwood their
n,r.n. on this occasion, for the feeling and
oIoguent address which you havejust done
me- the honor to deliver. l am under the
creates obligations TO the people of Ken
mckv. During more than forty years Of
NV life, they have demonstrated their con-
fience and affection towards me, in every
roriety of form. This last and browning
/ evidence of their long and faithful attach
,nent, exhibited in the vote which, in their
behalf, you gave yesterday, at the Seat of
the State Government, as the Electoral
College Of Kentucky, fills me with over
flowing gratitude. But should fail to ex-
wegs the feelings Of my heart, if l did not
also offer my profound and grateful ac-
acknowledgements to the other States, which
have united with Kentucky in the endeavor
10 elect me to the Chief Magistracy of the
! Union, and to the million and quarter of
j lreemen, embracing so much virtue, intel
ngence and patriotism, who, wherever re-
8 siding, have directed strenuous and enthu-
sasic exertions to the same object.
Their effort has been unavailing, and
the issue of the election has not correspon-
s d2I with theiranXious hopes and confident
expectations. You have, sir, assigned
some Of the causes which You suppose
have occasioned the result. | will not
trust myself to speak of them. My duty
IS that of perfect submission to an event,
which is now irrevocable.
| will not affect Indifference to the per-
sonaI concern which had in the political
contest just terminated; but unless [ am
greatly sell-deceived, the principal attrac-
ton to me Of the office Of President Of the
United States, arose out of the cherished
hope that might be an humble instrument
in the hands Of Providence, TO accomplish
4 public COED. desire to see the former
/ purity Of the general government restored
and to see dangers and evils, which | sim
s cerely believe eHcompassed it, averted and
remcdied. | was anxious that the policy
of the country, especially in the great de-
q partment Of its domestic labor and INDUS
B try should be fixed and stable, that all
q might know how to regulate and accom-
!. MEDIATE their conduct. And, fully convin-
ced Of tie wisdom of the public MEASURES
which you have enumerated, | hoped to
live TO witness, and to contribute to their
adoption and establishment.
So far as respects any official agency of
nine, it has been otherwise decreed. and |
bow respectfully to the decree. The flu
Iturc course Of the government is altogether
8u9known,an wrapt in painful uncertainty.
shall not do the new Administration the
Z Injustice of condemning it in advance. On
the contrary, earnestly desire that, enight-
Tened by It's own reflections, and by a de-
lli5erate review of all the great interests Of
hecountry, or promoted by public opinion
4the benefit may be yet secured olthe practl
.caIexecuton ofthose principles q measures
FOR which we have honestly contended
ahat peace and honor may be preserved
and that this young bnt great nation may
pc wondered harmonious, prosperous and
powerful.
. We are not without consultations under
Fne event which has happened. The whig
larty has fully and fairly exhibited to the
country the principles and measures which
lt believed best adapted to secure our liber-
ties and promote the common welfare. L
has made, in their support constant and ur.
gent appeals to the reason and judgmen
OF The people. For myself, | have the
high satisfaction to know that have esca-
ped great and fearful possibility; ans
that, during the whole canvass, have done
nothing Inconsistent with the dictates O
the pureSt honor. No mortal man is au
'horlzed to say that held out to him tho
promise Of any Office or appointment what
ever.
What now is the duty Of the wing par
"! venture to express my opinion will
Tie greatest dilIidence. The future is en-
'eopcd in veil impenetrabIe by human
eyes. cannot contemplate it, withou
feelings of great encouragement. But
Know of only one safe rule, in all the vi
scIstudes Of human life, public andprivate
and that is conscienliously 10 satisfy our
- SGVeS of what ic ri rht nnJ firmly aud nm