Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-01-10
Your obedient servants,
Your obedicnt servants,
P. S. GALPIN,
JAMES +. BABCOCK, : Com
THOMAS r. TRoWBRlDGE,S
Hon. HENRY CLAY, Ashland.
MIR. CLAY'S ANSWER.
ASHLAND, 18th Dec. 1874

ASHLAND, 18th Dec. 1874.
GENTLEMEN-I duly received your friendly let.
ter transmitting the proceedings of public meet
ing held in the city of New Haven, in respect to
the late Presidential election. The patriotic spirit
manifested in the whole of them is worthy Of Con-
necticut worthy of its renowned seat of learning,
and worthy of the Wing cause For the sentl-
ments of attachment, confidence and friendship to.
wards myself, which they exhibit, and which you
so kindly reterae in your letter, offer the warm
acknowledgements OF grateful heart. My obga
tons to Connecticut, and my friendly Intercourse
with many of her eminent sons, during long perl
cd Of time, will be faithfully remembered while
continue to live.
| | share with you, gentlemen, in regrets on ac-
count Of the unexpected issue of the recent cleo
ton My own personal concern in it is entitled to
very little consideration, although affect no ndif
ference in that respect The great importance Of
the event arises out of the respective principles in
contest between the two parties, the consequences
to which it may lead, and the plledged means by
which it was brought about, of which, however,
do not allow myself particularly to speak.
| The policy of the country in regard to the Pro-
lection of American Industry, few months ago,
seemed to be rapidly acquiring permanent and
| fixed character The Southern and South West
crn portions of the Union had been reproachcd at
the North for want Of sufficient interest and sym
pathy in its welfare. Yielding to the joint inhu
ence of their own reflections and experience, the
Slave States were fast subscribing to the Justice
and expedency of Tariff for Revenue, with dis
examinations for Protection. Atsuch an suspicious
moment, instead of cordially meeting the Slave
States and placing the principle of Protection up
on impregnable and durable ground, sufficient
number of the Free States to be decisive OF the
contest, abandoned what was believed to be their
own cherished policy, and have aided, if not in its
total subversion, in exposing 1t to Imminent hazard
and uncertainty. Encouragement has taken the
place of confidence, in the business of the country,
enterprise is checked, and no one knows to what
employment he can safely direct his eXertlons.
Instead of Il constantly augmenting Home Market,
we are in danger of experiencing its decline at
time when the Foreign Market is absolutely gnt-
ted with American productions cotton especially,
which is now selling at q lower price than was ev-
er before known. 1t is probably destined to fall
still lower The final and not distant result will be
especially if large importatlons shall be stimulated
BY low duties drain of the specie Of the country
with all its train of terrible consequences, which
have neither inclination nor time to dwell
If the cause of the Wings had triumphed, the
distribution of the proceeds Of the sales of the
public lands would have been secured and that
great national inheritance would be preserved for
the benefit of the present and future generations
shall be most agreeably disappointed if it be not
wasted in few years by graduation and other pro-
ec;s of alienation, leaving no traces Of permanent
benefit behind.
could not touch upon other great measures Of
public policy, which it the purpose Of the
WHO'S to endeavor to establish, without giving &c
this letter an unsuitable length. They may be
briefly stated to have aimed at the purity Of the
government, the greater prosperity of the people
and additional security to their liberties and to the
Union And, with ALL the preservation of the
peace, the honor and the good faith OF the nation
The Wings were most anxious to avoid foreign
war; for the sake Of acquiring foreign territory
which, under the circumstances Of the acquisition
could not fail to produce domestic dscord, and ex
pose the character OF the country III the eyes OF al
IMPARTIAL world, to severe animadverson.
But our opponents have prevailed in the late con
test and the Wings are for the present, denied The
satisfaction of carrying out their measures of Ma
tional policy. Believing that they are indispensa
BILE to the welfare OF the country, | am unwln:
to renquish the fond hope that they may be hnal
established, whether live to witness that event o
MOI: In the mean time those to whose hands tn
= administration of public affairs is confded ougl
{ TO have a fair trial. Let us even indulge an anX
ious desire that the evils which we have appreher
ded may not be realized, that the peace of on
country may be undisturbcd, its honor remain III
sued, and its prosperity continue unimpeded.
TO guard, however, against adverse results, Il.
S resolution OF the Wings of the City of New liz
ven, steadfastly to adhere to the Wing cause an
principles, is wise and patriotic.
/. | should be most happy to visit once more Ne
;, England, and especially New Haven, which ha
" done me so much honor by giving me, ut the lat
election the largest majority ever glven by that
k ty in contested election | shall embrace wit
II great pleasure, any opportunity, should any eve
n otfer to accept your obliging invitation.
tender to you gentlemen, my cordial thanks II
your friendly wishes and kind regards for me al
nine and hope that one and all of you may lon
IS live in health, happiness and prosperity.
RI am faithfully, your friend and obedient servau
>. ii. CLAY.
Messrs P. s. GALprN, JAS. F. BABcocK, THoMl
r. TRowBRIDGE.
ar ILL.,. Sonoior The election of United Stat