Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-12-27
MR. CLAWS REPLY.

| am greatly obliged, Gentlemen, bv the kind
ness owards inc, which has prompted this visit,
from the Governor, the Presidential Electors oi
Kentucky, and some of my fellow citizens in pr.
vale life. Aud thank you, Sir, (Mr. Under.
| WOODY their organ, IN this occasnn Tor the feel
ing aud eloquent address which you have done
me the honor tn deliver. | am under the great.
est obligat ous TO The People Of Kentucky. Du.
ring u"re than forty years Of my life. they have
demonstrated their confidence and affection TO-.
mafGs me IN every variety Of form. THIS last
| an,l rrowning evidence OF their long and faithful
| a'iac hmen', exhibited in the vote which, in The r
behalf, you gave yesterday, at the seat of the
State Government, AT the Electoral Cnlleg" Of
Kentucky, fills me with OVERT WING gratitude.
But should fail 10 express the feelings oi my
hear, # ] did moi also offer nay profound ac.
kn'w'edgm"n's 10 the other 5 a'es which have
united with Kentucky in the en,ea,or To elect
me To the Chief Mag,>'racy of the Union, and To
the million aud quarter OF freedmen, embracing
$" much virtue, intelligence and palrioti IN, WIN.
wherever resd NJ, have directed strenuous and
enthusiastic exertions 10 The same object.
Their effort has bee, ulavaipg, and the is.
sue Of the election has not correspon, ed with
their anxious 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. NY
duty is that o! perfect submission TO the event,
which is now irrevocable.
] will moi affect indifference 10 the personal
c. n ern which had in the political contest jus,
terminated but, unless ! am greatly selI-de.
reived, the principal attraction To me of the Of
flee of President Of The United States arose out
Of The cherished hope that nigh, be an humble
instrument in the hands of Providence, to ac-
compl'sI much good. desired To see The for
/ At The raj (,nx NJ roI
and to see dangers and evils, which sincerely
believed enconIpassed it, averted and rened ed.
was anxious that the policy Of tie country, es.
perlaliy in the great department OF its domestic
labor and industry should be fixed and stable,
that all might know how to regulate and ac.
comlnodate their conduct. Aud, fully convinced
of the wisdom Of the public measures, which
you have enumerated, hoped to live TO witness,
and to contribute to their adoption and es,ab.
lishment.
So far as respects any official agency Of mine.
il has been otherwise decreed. and bow re.
specially to the decree. The future course Of
the Government is altogether unknown, and
wrapt in painful uncertainty. I shall not do the
new Administration the injustice of conGemrinp
it in advance. On the contrary, earnestly de
sire that, enlightened by its own reflections, and
by deliberate re,ie of all the urea, interests
of the country, or prompted by public opinion.
the benefit may be yet secured of the practical
execution of those principles and measures for
which we have honestly contended, that peace
and honor may be preserved, and That this young
but great nation may be- rendered harmonious,
prosperous and powerful.
| We are not without consultations under the
event which has happened. The Wing party
has fully and fairly exhibited To the country the
principles and measures which II believed bes
adapted to secure our liberties and prnrnne the
common welfare. II has made, in their suppnrt.
constant and Urgent appeals To the reason and
Judgment of the people. For myself, have the
high satisfaction to know ,l,a, have escaped a
great and fearful responsibility ; and that. during
The whole canvass, | have done nothing incon.
sislent with the dictates of the purest honor.
| M mortal man is authorised tn say that held
out TO him the promise OF any office or appoint.
ment Whatever.
What NOW is the duty Of the Wing party
| venture to express any opinion with'he great.
| eSi titfiicnce. The future is enveoped IN veil
imptneirable BY human eyes cannot contem.
| rlate it without feelings of gre It discourage.
M. t. But know of only o le safe q in a! The
VIC sslludes OF human he, public aud private,
and that is cnnscientnusly to satisfy ourselves
of what is right, and firmly and undevia'ingly IL
pursue il under all trials and circumstances,
ronlldlnI IN lie great Kui"r OF The universe foi
ultimate success. The Wings are deliberately
convinced of the truth and wisdom of the primer.
Piles and measures which they have espnused.
II seems, therefore, to me-, that they should per.
severe in contend'ng for them; and that. adher,
ing to their separate and distinct organzai ion,
thew should treat all who have the good OF then
country in view with respect and sympathy. and
invite their co operation in securing the patriotic
objects which it has been their aim aud purpose
/" accom- sh.
! heartily thank you, Sir, for your friendly
wishes for my happiness, in the retirement which
| hencefnrward hest becomes mn. Here hope
To enjv peace and tranquility. seeking faithful,
Ia pertrn, in the walks oi private life. wha'ev"'
duties may yet anperrain 10 ne. Aud shal
never cease, whilst lie remains, to lo1k with
lively interest aud deep solicfude, upon the
movement and operations Of our free system ri
Government, aud to hope thai, under the snes
OF an al-wise Providence, the Republic may be
ever just, honorable, pro>per"uS and great.
FORESllADOWINGS.