Washington telegraph., 1845-01-29
HENRY CLAY.

The Wings of New Haven have recent
" addressed letter to Mr.. Clay, condolinp
with him on his defeat. Mr.. Clay, in his
reply, says:
Il share with you, gentlemen, in regrets
ON account of the unexpected issue of the
recent election. My own personal concern
in it is entitled to very little consideration.
although affect no Indifference in that res
pcct. The great Importance of the event
arises out of the respective principles in
contest between the two parties, the con-
sequences TO which it may lead, and the
alleged means by which il was brought a.
bout, for which; however, | do not allow
myself particularly to speak.
The policy of the country in regard to
the protection of American industry, a few
months ago, seemed to be rapidly acquiring
a permanent and fixed character. The
Southern and Southwestern portions OF the
Union had been reproached at the North
for the want of sufficient interest and SYM
pathy in its welfare. Yielding to the joint
influence of their own reflections and expe-
rience, the slave States were fast subscri
b;ng 10 the justice AMI expediency of a tar
iff for revenue, with discrimination for pro-
lection. At such an auspcious moment,
instead of cordially meeting the slave states
and placing the principle of protection upon
impregnable AMI durable ground. sufficient
nIn!,er of the free states, to be decisive of
the contest, aJanlone1 what was believed
TO be their own cherished policy. AMI have
aided, if not in its total subversion, in expo
sing it to imminent hazard and uncertainty.
Discouragement has taken the place of
9 tl. IS st.a,
try, enterprise is checked, AMI no one knows
to what employment he can now safely d.
rect his exertions. Instead of a constantly
augnenting home market, we are in dan
ger Of experiencing lis decline at time
when the fjreign market is absolutely glut-
tel with American productions, cotton es-
pecialy, which is now selling at lower
price than was ever before known. The
final AMI not 1is'an. result will be, especial
Is it large imDoltaiion> shall be siiml aied
BY low duties, drain OF the specie of the
country, with all its train of terrible conse-
qIences, on which | have neither inclina-
tion nor time to dwell.
Ii the cause of the Wings had triumphed,
the distribution Of the proceeds of the sales
ofthe public lanls would have been secured
and that great national inheritance would
have been preserved for the benefit of the
present and future generations. | shall be
mpst agrecably disappointed if ii be not
wasted in few years by graduation AMI
other projects of alienation, leaving no
traces OF perm Incni benefit bchnl.
Oar opponea.s have prevailed in the late
contest, AMI the Wings are, for the present.
denied the satisfaction Of carrying ont their
m ,as-,-ss of national policy. Believing
iha, they are inIi.pcn ,ab'e to the welfare
of tIe-r puntry lam unwilling to relinquisb
the fpnl hope that they may be finally es-
tabiisheI, whether | live to witness that
even, or not.
In the mean fine those to whose hands
the 4 ln:n;s;ration of public affairs is con-
ii led, oughi to have a fair trial. Let us
even indulge an anvinrIs desire that the evils
we have alprrh"nlel my no. be realized
that the peace of our country may be un-
.sur5esl, its honor remain unsullied and
its prosperity continue uninPcdcd.