Weekly national intelligencer., 1846-11-21
THE CONTRAST.

the 4tl instant we have an interesting account Of
the delivery 10 Mr. CLAY, at his own residence, Of
magnificent Silver Vase, wrought by American
hands and rich in American emblems,' presented
to him, bythe hands Of DR.. McNAIRY, Distinguish
ed citizen Of Nashville, from the LADIES OF TGN-
NEssEE, " a small but sincere token OF their deep
and unfeigned veneration for his character, and
their gratitude for all the great and signal services
he has rendered his country"
In offering to Mr.. CLAY this most lattering tesil-
mony of respect and afectionate regard DIR. Me-
Marry made brief but becoming Address, in the
course Of which he took occasion TO alude to the
result of the late Presidential election in the follow
ing terms
'That grateful consummaion-so recently denied TO your
unyaled mertswoud have saved the expense and sa
ferngs Of into which Executive usurpalion has unhap
pity plunged the country. would have ebuked faction and
crushed that reckless spirit Of innovation which has at last
rashy overlrown many of the and successful
usages OF Government and umphany substituted The vision
AIRY and dangerous experiment Of party for weled and
established maxims Of policy 1t would have dgniel
and elevated national character abroad whilst at home
would have protected ard encouraged the industry of
sans and laborers and secured prosperous stability IN all
the diversified interests of great and growing people.
To which Address Mr.. CLAY replied in language
marked by feeling and gratitude such as the occa-
sion would naturally elicit. TO that particular part
Of the Address which we have quoted, he respond
ed in the following terms
II, indeed their kind wishes in relation TO the
issue of the last Presidential election had been
/ gratiiied, | have no doubt that we should have
avoided some of those public measures, 50 preg-
,vit ob b,y
adverted. We should have preserved, undslurb.
ed and without any hazard, peace with all the
world, have had no unhappy war with neigh
boring sister republic, and, consequently, no de-
porable waste Of humanlife of which that which has
been sacrificed or impaired III an insalubrious eli
mate is far greater and more lamenable than what
has been lost in the glorious achievements Of
brave ARMY, commanded by skillul and gallant
| General.
1--WE should have saved the millions Of treasure
which that unnecessary war has and will cost
/ an immense amount sufficient to improve every
useful harbor on the lakes, on the ocean, on the
+ Gulf of Mexico, and i'll the Interior and to remove
distractions to navigation in all the great rivers
in the United States.
" We should not have subverted patriotic sys
TEN of domestic protection, fostering the industry
of our own people and the interests of our own
country, the great benefits Of which have been
\ practically demonstrated by experience, for the
visionary promises of an alien policy OF free trade,
fostering the industry of foreign people and the
interests of foreign countries, which has brought
in its train disaster and ruin TO every nation that
/ has had the temerity to try it. The beneficial
tariff of 1912, which raised both the People and
the Government Of the United States out of a con-
dition Of distress and embarrassment bordering on
bankruptcy TO state of high financial and general
/ prosperity, would now be standing unrepealed in
the satute-book, instead of the fatal tariff of 1876
whose caamitous effects will, lapprehend, sooner
: or later, be certainly realized.
All this, and more of what has since occurred
III the public councils, was foretold prior to that
election. 1t was Denied disbelieved, or unheeded,
; But both philosophy and patriotism enon that
we should not indulge III unavailing regrets as to
! the incurable past. As part of history in which
it is embodied, we may derive from il instructive
/ lessons for future guidance, and ought to
redouble our exertons to prevent their being I'M
| proftably LOST
| II would be waste of words 10 accompany with
any comment of ours the contrast which stands
out in bold relief from the text of this extract, be-
tween the various measures which thus far cons-
tute the history of this Administration, and those
which we know would. had the distinguished can
didate Of the Wings succeeded at the last Presiden
tial Election have preserved at the same time the
peace and honor of the country, advanced It's pros
perity and cherished with equal care the interests
OF every part oft.