Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-12-26
Mr.. CLAY AND THE KENTUCKY
ELECTORS.

notice Of the very interesting and fleet
ing interview which took place on the 4th
instant between The Presidential Electors
of Kentucky and Mr.. CLAY, after the for
mer had discharged their ofticial duties.
The addresses which the occasion ELECTED
have since reached us and are given be.
low. The remarks of SIR. CLAY will be
read with deep interest by every friend
of the great Patriot Statesman:
From the Lexington, Ky, Obrervsr, Dec TO-
Mr.. CLAY.
According to promise, we present 10 our
readers TO day, the address of the Ken
lucky Electors to Mr.. CLAY, and that
gentIeman's response. We douo. not
they will be read with profound interest
BY every lover Of liberty in America.
We attempted heretofore to give an &C.
count Of the imposing scene, feeling all
the while how impossible it was for words
alone 10 exhibi, it, to those who did not
witness il.
To see that venerable man standing at
his own ihreshold--bereit Of power and
place by the yiles. Vaccinations and most
unrelenting Iersecution--surrounded in
funeral silence and solemnity, by the
chosen and most gifted men OF his adop.
ted Stately his nearest neighbors and
Oldest friends-was impressive and over
powering beyond description. To hear
the ou,pourng Of their bruised hearts.
and his calm yet deeply felt responsible
behold his moist eye and quiyering lip,
and their manly tears. excited unuitera-
ble emotions.
But we will not dwell upon this subject;
we never expec, to be called on to chroni-
Gle such another occurrence. i've though
we may beyond the ordinary life OF man.
Upon reaching the door of Mr.. Clay's
dwelling, Underwood, surrounded by the
other Electors, by the Governor and ex.
Governors Metcafe and Letcher, aud the
people who attended, read the following
address to Mr.. Clay:
Mr. CLAY:-I have been selected by
the members of,he Electoral College, to
say to you for each one of US, that we
have come TO offer you the homage Of
our personal regard and profound respect
In this work Of the heart, many OF your
neighbors have likewise come to unite
with US. On yesterday, at Frankfort,
we performed our official duty in obedl-
ence to the will Of the people Of Kentucky
by voting unanimously for yourself and
Theodore Frelinghuysen 10 ill the Off.
ces OF President and Vice President Of the
United States.
The Vaccinations Of your enemies, their
frauds upon the elective franchise, aud
their dupi'city with the people, in pro.
mitigating opposite principles in different
sections. have defeated your election.
We have no hope of prsfarment at our
hands, which can tempt Us 10 f1atter, nor
can the pen Of prescription ntimidate us
in speaking the truth. Under existing
circumstances it gra,Ifies US to take ynu
by the hand, and to unite, as we do most
cordia,ly, in ,xpr. ssing the sentiments al
our hearts and Of those we repr sent in
regard to your pesonal character and po-
llucal principles.
Your past services are so interviewer
with the history Of our country Tor the
last forty years, that malice and envy
cannot prevent succeeding gene,ati ms
dwelling on your name with admiration
and gtst,tu Q. Yur example will lllu-
inmate the paths Of future Statesmen,
when those who hate and revlle you are
forgotten, or are only remembered, like
the incend,ary who burnt the temple, for
the evil they have done.
TO you the election has terminated
without personal loss; but to the nation,
in our judgment, the injury is incalcula-
BILE. God grant that the coniederacy
may not hereafter mourn over the result,
in dismembered fragments
! Whilst your enemies have not attempt.
ed to detract from your intellectual char.
acter, they have with untiring malice at.
tackled your moral reputation and en-.
deavored to destroy it. The verbal
ISLANDERS and principle lib.ls employed as
means TO accomplish political objects,
have stained the character Of our coun-
try and its ius'i ,uticns moro than they
have injured yours.
In your high personal character, in
your political principles and unrivalled
| <SUui 0hd tbSui WIZ
be found the strong motives for our anx-
ious efforts to secure your election. The
Protection Of American labor, a National
currency connected with a fiscal agent
for the government, the Distribution
among the States of the Public Lands,
further constitutional restrictions upon
Executive power and patronage, and a
limitation upon the eligibility oil the Presi-
dent for second term, were measures,
which, under your administration we
hoped to mature and bring into practica al
operation. BY your defeat they have
Deer endangered, if not forever lost.
But we will not speculate on coming
events. If things work well, We shall
fino consolation in the general prosperity.
If apprehended evils come, we are not
responsible; and retaining our principles,
We shall enjoy the happy reflection of
having done our duty.
In the shades of Ashland may you long
continue to enjoy peace, quie: and the
possession Of those great faculties which
have rendered you the admiration of your
friends and the benefactor Of your coun-
try. And when a, last, death shall dc.
nahd its victim, while Kentucky will con-
tain your ashes rest assured that old end