Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1844-07-04
MR. cLAYs SPEECH.
Fyicsiis and Fellosc- cieisens, Lalies and Gem
Hense11 of North Carolina.
SDEEavERKD IN THE CITY OF RALEEeff'
h -ss ~ .1pr1 I3tk, ls44, ~

Fyietds and FelIosc- cSfiscRs. Ladies' and Gem
tleRsen Of North Carolina.
Along cherished object ofmy heart isaccomplish
ed. | am at yoursCapitol and in the midst OF you
have looked forward to this my first visit to North
Carolina, with anxious wishes, and with high ex-
pectations oil great qualification; and am happy
to say that my fondest antcipations have been more
than realized. Wherever l have passed on my
way to your city, wherever have stopped, at the
depots Of Railroads, in country, town OF village, 1t
has been my good fortune to receive the warmest
demonstrations of respect and kindness, from all
parties, from both sexes, and from every age; Dut
no where have met, no where had expected
such distinguished reception, and such enthusl-
astc greetings as those with which my arrival here
has been attended l am reloiced to be with you
this day, to stand surrounded by you IN the shade
of this magnificent Capitol, noble monument OF
your public liberality and taste; and while my
grateful heart has been warmed, by the thrilling
grasp of each outstreched hand, and my eye cneer-
ed by the smiles and beauty Of the fair daughters
of North Carolina, who have hOnored this occasion
by their presence, cannot but relolce, ana 40
rejoice, that am an American citizen; ana leel
that though far removed from my immediate nome
and friends, vet tread here the sol Of my own
country, am in the midst OF my friends ana coun-
trymen, and can exclaim in the language OF the
Scottish bard, that this, this is indeed "my own,
nv native land." / own that have been truly and
greetly, but agreeably surprised, ! had expected
to find some hundreds, perhaps few thousands
assembled here to meet and greet me- dld not
expect to witness such an outporing. l did not
expect see the whole State congregated together
but here it is From the mountains and from the
[ sea board-from the extremites and from the CEN
ire see around me the sons and daughters OF the
good old North STATED A State which has earned
this estimabe title by the purity, simplicity, and
efficiency Of its institutions its uniform patriot
ism and infexible virtue; by its quiet nnobtrusiHe
and unambtious demeanor, and by ITS steady and
firm attachment to the Union, of which 1t IS one OF
the srtest PROPS and pillars noble title, of which
athsdg it is not proud because it is not IN Its ma
tufsUo be proud, its sister States may well envy
and emulate her enthusiastically manifestations
81 our aspect and esteem, thank you all. thank
my fan Cd ywomen for gracing this meeting by
their counis iance and presumed ! thank your
worthy Chief for the generous manner
in which he has represented your hospitality.
thank the various Committees for the kindness and
attention which have received at their hands, land
particularly the Committee who did me the honor
to meet me on the borders of your State, and escort
me to this City =,
| am here, fellow-citizens, in compliance with
| YOUR own summons. Warm and repeated invitations
10 visit this state and my own ardent desire to see
! it. to form the acquaintance and to share the hospl-
| talities efits citizens. have brought me in your
! presence have come with objects, exclusively
social and friendly. Ihave come upon no political
| errand. have not come as propagandist l seek
to change no mans opinion. to shake no mans al
legiance to his party Satisfied and contented with
| the opinions which have formed upon public at
fairs, after thorough investigation and full deibera-
ton 7 am willing to leave every other man IN the
undisturbed possession ofh opinions 1t IS one OF
our great privileges 10 free country, to form our
own opinions upon all matters of public concern
( Claiming the exercise OF 1t for myself am ever
ready to accord to others equal freedom IN exercls-
ing It for themselves. But, inasmuch as the man
ner in which we may exercise the rights, appcr-
tanning to u.s. may exert, reciprocaby, an influence
upon each other, for good or evil, we owe the mu-
tnal duty of considering fairly, fully, and dsinter-
estedly, all measureo ef public policy which may
/, be proposed for adoption.
Although, fellow-citizens, / have truly said that
have not come to your State with any political
aims or purposes am aware Of the general expec-
tation entertained here that should embrace the
occasion to make some exposition OF my sentiments
and views in respsct to public affairs. l do not
feel at liberty to disappont this expectation. And
yet must declare, with perfect truth, that have
not and never had any taste for these public address
ses. have always found them irksome and I'M
pleasant. have not disliked public speaking, but
it has been public speaking, in Legislative halls,
public measures affecting the welfare of my coun-
try or before the tribunals Of justice 1t has been
public speaking, in which there was precise and
| well defined object to be pursued, by train of
thought and argument, adapted to its attainment.
Without presuming to prescribe to any body else
the course which he ought to pursue in forming his
judgement upon political parties, public measures,
and the principles which ought to guide us, will
state my own. In respect TO political parties, of
which / har1 seeRmany, in this country, during a
| life Whit il Ehs gnsderably protracted, believe
in the man a. q Of them think, or have persuaded
themselves to believe, that they are aiming at the
happiness oftheir country. Their duties and their
interests, well understood, must necessarily urge
thar, 70 nrornote ito welfare They are it is true
often DEF eved by their passions and prejud es
and still more by interested demagogues, who cloak
and conceal their sinister designs. Political par
ties, according TO my humble opinion Of their le-
gitinate sphere Of action, ought to be regarded
nothing more than instruments, or means, subordi-
nate but important instruments or means, in afec-
ting the great purposes OF wise administration OF
government highly useful when not facetious and
controlled by public virtue and patriotism; but,
when country is lost sight of, and the interests of
the party become paramount to the interests Of the
country, when the government IS seized by party
and is not administered for the benefit Of the peo
pie, and the whole people, but to advance the pur
poses and selfish aims Of itself, rather fits lea
ders, then is such party, whatever may be the
| popular name it may assume, highly detrimental
! and dangerous am Wing, warmly attached to
the patty, which bears that respected name, from
thorough persuasion that its principles and policy
are best calculated TO secure the happiness and
prosperity of our common country; but, if believ
| ed otherwise, if were convinced that it sought
| party or individual ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and not the
public good, would instantly and for ever abandon
it, whatever might be the consequences to myself,
or whatever the regrets which might feel in sep
] arating from veteran friends My opinions upon
great and leading measures Of public policy have
| become settled convictions, and am Wing be-
cause that party seeks the establishment Of those
measures. In determining with which Of the two
| .fsa Of ho IN hn