American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1844-12-17

SPEECH FROM THE Hon. HENRY CLAY. We
stated several days since, that the wing Eec-
tors of Kentucky, after casting their votes for
President and Vice President, in company with
the Governor of the State and number of ol-
items, waited on the Hon. Henry Clay at his
residence in Lexington. The assemblage were
introduced by Judge Underwood, in a neat and
appropriate address, to which Mr.. Clay thus
eloquently replied;
~ am greatly obliged, gentlemen, by the
kindness towards me, which has prompted this
visit from the Governor, the Presidential Elec-
tors of Kentucky aed some of my fellow citi-
o zens, in private life. And thank you, sir,
(Mr. Underwood) their organ, on this occasion,
for the feeling and eloquent address which you
y have Just done me tho honor to deliver | am
under the greatest obligations to the people of
Kentucky. During more than forty years of
my life, they have demonstrated their cent?
dence and affections towards me, in every va
riety of form This last and browning evidence
of their long and faithful attachment, exhibited
IN the vote which, in their behalf, you gave yes
terday, at the seat of the State Government
as the Electoral College of Kentucky, fills me
with overlooking gratitude But should fail
to express the feelings of my heart, if did not
also offer my profound and grateful acknow-
Judgments to the other States, which have uni
ted with kentucky in the endeavor to elect ME
to the Chief Magistracy of the Union, and to
the million and quarter of fieemen, embrac-
ing so much virtue, intelligence and patriotism,
who, wherever residing, have directed strenu-
GUS and enthusiastic exertions TO the same OBJ
ject.
Their efforts have been unavailing, and the
issue of the election has not correspondent 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 My
Wduty is that of perfect submission to en- event,
which is now irrevocable.
EEL will not affect indifference to the personal
u concern which had in the political contest,
Just terminated; but, unless | am greatly self
deceived, the principal attraction to me of the
Office of President of the United States arose
out of the cherished hope that might be an
humble instrument, in the hands Of Proyi-
dence, to accomplish public good. desired to
see the former purity of the General Govern
ment restored, and to see dangers and evils,
which |. sincerely believed encompassed it,
averted and remedied. ! was anxious that the
policy of the country, especially in the great
department oil us domestic laDoI anu lluustfy
should be fixed and stable, that all might know
how to regulate and accommodate their con-
duct. And, fully convinced of the wisdom Of
the public measures which you have enumerat-
ed, hoped to live to witness, and to contribute
to, their adoption and establishment.
So far as respects any official agency of
mine, it has been otherwise decreed and bow
respectfully to the decree The future course
of the Government is altogether unknown,
and wrapt in painful uncertainty. shall not
do the new Administration the injustice of
condemnng it, in advance. On the contrary,
4, earnestly desire that, enlightened by its own
reflections, and by deliberate review of all
the great interests of the country, or prompt
ed by public opinion, the benefit may be yet
secured of the practical execution Of those
principles and measures, for which we have
honestly commended, that peace and honor may
be preserved, and that this young but great ma
ton may be rendered harmonious, prosperous,
and powerful