Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-04-06

delIcacy have hitherto forbid an expana.
ton that the touch of our hands on the old
battle field, on the banks of the Potomac,
was not without its influence on Mr. Clay,
when uniting his exertions to those of Mr..
Calhoun, TO compose this seemingly disas.
trous quarrel, he took an anxious and friend
y estimate Of what he deemed the diff
Guilty of my own position. But in the
vicissitudes of all human things, how
strangely the relations Of party had been
changed. Here on the one hand was Gen.
Jackson, to whom South Carolina had
dedicated the embodied spirit of all her
sods, beleaugering her with his troops, and
Mr.. Clay, who bad been the unspared OBJ
ject Of her reproacb, striving TO avert
conflict!
feel sir, that the country owes him a
large debt Of gratitude for his exertions at
this conluncturc, and that the South has
never done him justice. desire not to
be misunderstood. There was no day in
the week, Sundays exccp ed, on which the
volunteers which | had the honor to COM
mand, at that time, in Charleston, would
not have gone out and have given Gen.
Jackson's regulars battle, if this was to
have decided the issue, Notwithstanding
our just appreciation Of the skill and gal
ah,ry of the distinguished officer 10 whom
their command had been conhded, and
who. on trying occasion, added to his
known valor so bcnignant a desire for
peace and Cancellation. But we knew that
on the discharge of the first muskct, the
streets of our city would run with frater-
nal blood. Mr.. Clay lent his hand to stay
the torrent. Can we then regard with in
difference the services such q man rem.
dered at such time.
You will permit me to remark that |
now take no part in the politics Of the
country. have not voted for five years
at an election, nor do know that | shall
vote for the next five years to come. En-.
gagged in an anxious and ardent effort TO
pay my debt of tilling the soil on the banks
of this river, the sunny ACTIVITY of public
honors has no attractions for mel seek
the valley and prefer the shade. There
was time when l might have cherished
other aspirations. but that time has gone
forever. Retired. therefore, from the con.
test of parties, | think my very position
makes me witness without exception
But still my opinions may be of very little
value--such as they are, you are entitled
to them.
:. believe Mr.. CLAWS election is about al
probable as any human event, in futurity
can well be. A vista of renown will be
opened TO him, which has awaited the ad
ministration of no previous President, since
that of the father If our country" If ht
is able, by his commanding influence, tt
arrest in Congress the portentous agita
ton Of the slave question, and TO fix thu
tariff firmly on the basis of the principles
, of his o,Un compromise, he will, in savin!
his country, have reaped his own harvest
t abundant and fructifying, now and for
ever. ! know no man who has more o
= the instrumental means to perform hi:
e high function than himself.
n believe, in the splendor of yet un
clouded genius, his ambition will be on
level with the august position he is like
S to occupy. God grant that it may be so.
j That man must have limited sight, an
E strong nerves, who does not see. or secin!
e does not feel, that the country has to pas
/, through valley encompassed with cloud
j and darkness. The crisis requires gifte'
: sagaci,y, and the highest moral courage
!, Mr.. Clay has these qualities, in degre
:. conferred on few men. In making thes
n remarks, | beg you not to consider one c
h them as intended in disparagcment of tn
h gentleman who is considered, as hitherto, i
k opposition to Mr.. Calhoun in the ranks o
G the same party, TO which they are bot
said TO belong.
For Mr.. Van Buren,, cherish feeling
!, of kindness and esteem, which should b
;. lnsensible 10 both his merits and his un
d form friendship, if did not both entertai
II and express. If, at any time. l have az
i pcared to occupy an antagonist posi,io
TO this gentleman, it has been rather to IN
!. measures of his party, than himself-mea'
Q ures which derived their authority froI
$ the potent influence Of chief, the repos
It of whose declining years would not no
/, disturb, if could. Let the rays of h
g glory, gathering together on the banks {
O the river am soon destined 10 VISIT sett
r. with collected majesty, eternal and endu
r. ing. on his fame.
T. You may well ask, if entertain the!
a feelings towards most of our public me
ID to whom am opposed! answer not on
IF The embers Of party spirit are exit
r, guished in my bosom, after having felt,
d, intensely as most men, their burning hea
4. | am sensible, with one of the most ell
is quent and philosophical Of statesmen, {
r. the truth of the remark that "old factor
r, are volcanoes burnt out, from their ash
re the fruitful olive and vine take root"
,e feel that by these exhausted craters | C;
plant few of those charities which indu
ID US to look with indulgence on the opinion
is of others, and with a less overweeniI