Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-05-16
LETTER FROM MIR. CLAY.
inc Editors of the National Intelligcnccr.
WASHINGTON. Nav 3. ISdd

WASHINGTON, May 3, 1914.
HENTLEMEN:-Prior TO the commencement
ana during the progress of the Journey. which
nave recently made TO some of the Sou,borr
plates, received numerous invitations ,o vic
IL my Ieilow-ciizens. at various points Of tho
Union. was compelled to decline accen,iro
'he greater number of them, and, in most in.
Stances, transmitted answers accordingly. Inn,
as may have omitted to reply TO some of
them, and as others addressed to me NAV No,
nave reached me, TO all such request to be
allowed, through the National Inlelligcncer.
10 communicate general and respectful an.
s"er' ana to state the ground on which shall
ieei constrained to place any similar invita-
IONS IHs with which may be in future hcnored.
nese popular demonstrations of friendship.
10, ana confidence towards Inc are
e'y era.hyihg 10 my feelings, and are enti-
rIo 10 an expression OF my profound and CRATE
1ui Acknowledgements. If ii were suitable and
ProPei' III my judgment, to meet assembages
vi III! leiiow-citIzens on the occasions nro-
posed, would embrace the onnor,un;,v r
pleasure, and should exchange friendlv s,lu.
tations with them with warmth and en,hu
siasm, on my part, not exceeded bv their own
Dul an event OF importance took place ON The
mrs, instant in Baltimore A Convention or
Delegates from the Wing party, coming from
all parts OF the United States actno ;n Co.,,
iof'nity with the well-ascer,aned wishes and
seh'',hehts OF the Wings of the United States.
mas formally announced nv name nc can
oidate Tor the office of President of :Ie IIni,ed
states, and from high sense of duty. have
acceP'eti the nomination. IL has been mora
over, ratified by another Convention. comnos-
ca OF delegates from every part of the limited
ola'es, who assembled on the Cd inst in Raj
'inore Being thus placed, with NV own
consent, in the attitude of candidate Tor ,ba,
nigh Office, feel myself bonnd to resnect and
perform all the dnies and obligations which
aPpertaIn 10 me in that character.
Inc election ola chief Magistrate of free
great, and enlightened nation is one of The ora :
vest ana most momeDtous functions which The
feoPle can exercise. 1t is emphatically. and
ought to be exclusively, their own business
upon The wisdom of their choice depends the
preservation and soundness Of free institutions.
ana The welfare and prosperity of themselves,
III making 1t, they should be free, impartial.
ana wholly unbiased by the conduct of can
uidate himself. Not only, in my opinion. is
~ his outy TO abstain from all solicitations.
d'rect or indirect, of their sulirages. but he
Snouid avoid being voluntarily placed in situ
a"o"I W Seeh' or III which he might he sup
w SSSh w iiilueuCc tneIr JUDGMENT
Entertaining these views of what becomes
a candidate Tor the exalted office of President
OF the United States, | shall act in strict con-
formlty with them. Hereafter. and until the
pending Presidential election is decided.
cannot accept nor attend any public meeting
OF my lellow-citiZens. assembled in reference
to that object, 10 which may have been or
shall be invited. Ii is my wish and intention.
when leave this city, TO return home as quiet
" and quickly as possible, and, employing
myself IN my private business and affairs.
there to await the decision Of the Presiden-
tai election, acquescing in it whatever it NAV
be, with the most perfect submission.
nope those who have honored me will,
invitations to which have not yet replied,
and those who may have intended me the
honor OF transmitting others, will accept, with
out dlsaPprobaIion, this exposition of the mo-
lives by which ] am governed.
am, gentlemen, your friend and obedient
serVah'. II. CLAY.