The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-03-23

public considerations, which could ale
quately find their origin in his own pat
rIoiism, have always believed although
pride and dellcacy have hithertoiorbid an
explanation, 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.. Crlhoun, IN compose this
seemingly disastrous quarrel, he took an
anxious and friendly estimate of what he
deemed the difficulty ofmy own position.
Blu: in the viscissltudes of all human things
how strangely the relations of party had
been changed. Here, on the one hand,
was Gen. Jackson, to whom South Caro-
lima had dedicated the embodied spirit of
all her sons, beleaguering her with his
troops, and Mr., Clay, who had been the
ansfared objec, of her reproach, striving
to avert conflict!
feel sir. that the country owes him
large debt of gratitude for his exertions a,
this conJunclure, and that the South has
never lone him justice. Idesile not TO BE-
misunderstood. There was no day in the
week, Sundays excepted, on which the
volunteers which I 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 jus. appreciation of the skill and gall
anlrv OF the distinguished officer to whom
their command had been confded, and
who, on a trying occasion, added to his
known valor so benignant a desire for
peace and Cancellation. But we knew
that on the discharge of the first musket
the streets of our city would run with
lra'ernal blood Mr.. Clay lent his hand
to stay the torrent. Can we then regard
with indifference the services such man
rendered al 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 Tor the next five years to come. En-
gagged in an anxious and ardent effort To
pay my debt by .iling the soil on the
banks OF this river, the sunny ACTIVITY of
public honors has no attractions for me
! seek the valley, and prefer The shade.
There was time when nigh, have cher
ished other aspirations, but thai time has
gone forever. Retired, therefore, from
the contest of parties, think my very
position makes me 3 witness bevond ca
, cepllon. But still my opinions may be OF
very little valne--such ss they are you are
entitled to Them.
be isve Mr.. Clsy's elect ion is about
as probable as any human event, in futu-
rny, can well be. A vista of renown will
he opened to him, which has awaited the
administration of no previous President.
since that OF the "father of our country"
If he is abe, by his commanding innu-
ence, to arrest in Congress the portentous
agitation Of the slave question. and to fix
the tariff firmly on the basis OF the princi-
PIES Of his ORR compromise, he will, in
saving his country, have reaped his own
harvest abundan, and fruclifying, now and
forever. know no man who has more
OF the instrumental means to perform this
hIs function than himself
believe, in the splenGor of vet un-
cloudcd genus, his ambition will be on
level with the august position he is likely
10 occupy. God gran, lha, it may be So
That man must have limited sight, and
strong nerves, who does not see, or see
ing does not feel, that the country has TO
pass thrr ugh valley encompassed with
clouds and darkness. The crisis requires
"a gifted sagacity, and the highest moral
courage. Mr.. Clay has these qualities. in
a degree conferred on few men, In max
ing these remarks, ! beg you not to con-
slider one of them As intended in dispar-,
agcmen, Of the gentleman who is consid.
cred. as hitherto, in opposition 10 Mr.
Calhoun in the ranks Of the same party,
to which they are both said to belong
For Mr.. Van Buren,, cherised feelings
of kindness and esteem, which should
be insensible to both his merits and his
uniform friendship, if did not both ell
| terrain and express. II, at any time. have
appeared 10 occupy an antagonist po-
. sltlon to this gentleman, it has been rath-
er TO the measures of his party, than him
self-measures which derived their au-
thorlty from the potent influence Of
chief, the repose of whose declining years
! would no, noD disturb, if could-Lel
the rays of his glory. gathering ogether on
! the banks Of the river am soon destined
to visit, settle with collected majesty, e.
ternal and enduring, ON his fame.
Yon may well ask, if entertain these
feelings towards most of our public men,
to whom am opposed? answer not one.
The embers OF party spirit are extngush
ed in my bosom, after having felt, as in
tenseIy as most men, their burning heat
! am sensible, with one of the most elo-
quent and philosophical of statesmen, of
the truth of the remark that sold factions
are volcanoes burnt out; from their ashes
the fruitful olive and vine take root" u