The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-05-06
To The Editors Of The National Intel1igencer.
WASHINGTON Man g JS44

/
| GENTLEMEN Prior to the commencement,
and during the progress of the journey which
| have recently made TO some of the Southern
States, received numerous invitations to visit
| my felloW-cltzens at various points of the
| Union. | was compelled to decline accepting
the greater number of them, and, in most in
stances, transmitted answers accordingly but
| as may have omitted to reply to some of Them
| and as others addressed to me NAV not have
through the National lneligencer, 10 commune
cate general and respectful answer, and to state
the ground on which | shall feel constrained to
place any similar invitations with which may
be in future honored.
These popular demonstrations Of friendship,
attachment, and confidence towards me, are
highly gratifying to my feeliggs, and are entitled
to an expression of my profound and grateful
Acknowledgements. If it were suitable and pro-
per, In my Judgment, to meet assembages Of
my fellow-citizens on the occasions proposed,
would embrace the opportunity with pleasure
and should exchange friendly salutations with
them with warmth and enthusiasm, on my
part, not exceeded by their own. But an event
of Importance took place on the first instant in
Baltimore. Convention of Delegates from the
Wing party, coming from all parts of the United
States, acting in conformity with the wel-as-
certained wishes and sentiments of the Wings
my name as candidate for the office of Presi
dent Of the United States, and, from a high
sense OF duty, have accepted the nomination.
1t has been, moreover, ratified by another Con-
vention, composed of delegates from every part
Of the United States who assembled on the Cd
instant in Baltimore. Being thus placed, with
my own consent in the attitude of candidate
for that high Office, feel myself bound to re-
spect and perform all the duties and obligations
VIII ich rtan IN M IN hat oh
The election of Chief Magistrate of free,
great, and enlightened nation is one of the gravest
and most momentous functions which the people
can exercise. 1t is emphatically, and ought to
be exc usively, their own business Upon the
wisdom Of their choice depends the preservation
and soundness of free institutions, and the vel
fare and prosperity Of themselves. In making
biased by the candidate himself Not only, in
my opinion, is it his duty to abstain from all So
licitaton, direct or indirect, of their sufrages,
but he should avoid being voluntarily placed in
situations to seek, or in which he might be sup
posed to seek to influence their Judgment.
Entertaining these views of what becomes a
candidate for the exalted office of President of
the United States, shall act in strict conformity
with them. Hereafter, and until the pending
Presidential election is decided, cannot accept
nor attend any public meeting Of my fellow
citizens, assembled in reference to that object, to
which may have been or shall be invited. 1t
is my wish and intention, when leave this city,
to return home as quietly and quickly as posi-
BILE, and, employing myself in my private bust
ness and affairs, there to await the decision of
the Presidential election, acquiescing in it, what
ever it may be, with the most perfect submits
sion
hope those who have honored me with inv-
tallons to which have not yet replied, and those
who may have intended me the honor of trans
hitting others, will accept, without disapproba-
ton, this exposition of the motives by which
am governed.
am, gentlemen, your friend and obedent
servant, H. CLAY.
fAPAL MIssIoN-Of $52SO0O expended in
one year by the Association for Propogating the