Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-11-25
Address from Henry Clay.

4 The ladies Of Tennessee, q short time since
Of silver, as q testimonial of their respect and
regard for his character. The address Of Mr..
Clay upon the occasion os the presentation
was so happy, md contains so much Of public
interest, that we copy it entire:
\ DR.. Nc Marry: II is no ordinary occurrence,
nor any common mission, that honors me by
your presence. TO be deputed, as You have
been, by large circle Of Tennessee ladies'
TO bear the fla,tcring sentiments towards me,
which you have just so eloquen,y expressed,
and to deliver to me the precious testimonials
of their nesl Unable respect and regard, which
you have brought, is a proud incident in my
| life ever to be remembered with feelings Of
profound gratitude and delight.
/ NV obligation to those ladies' is not the
! less, for the high opinion OF me, which they
do me the honor to entertain, because feel
entirely conscious that owe II more TO their
generous partiality than to any merits pos
scss. or to the value of any public services
which have ever been able to render.
"lf, indeed. their kind wishes. in relation
to the issue OF the last Presidential election,
had been gratlfed, have no doubt that we
should have avoided some Of those Public
measures, so pregnant with the evils to our
Country, to which you have advertcd. We
should have preserved. undisturbed, aud with
out any hazard, peace with all the world. have
had no unhappy war with n Deighborng SIS
ter republic, and. consequently, no deplorable
waste of human life, of which That which hns
been sacrificed or impaired. in an insalubrious
climate, is far greater, and more lamentab'c,
than what has been lost in the glorious
achievements of n brave army, commanded
by n skful and gallant General.
We should have snved the millions OF trea-
sure which that Unnecessary war has ana VIII
cost--an immense amonnt-suthcient 10 I'm
prove every useful harbor on the lakes, on tue
ocean, on the Gulf OF Mexico and ~ the inte-
nor, and 10 remove obstructons to navigation
~ all the great rivers N the Unitcd states.
| We should not have subverted Patr'otic
system Of Domestic Protection, fostering the
industry Of our own People and the interests
of our own country, the great benefits when
have been practically demonstrated by expe-
renee, for the visionary promises OF an amen
pol,cy of free trade, fostering the industry OF
Foreign People and the interests of Foreign
Coun,r,cs, which has brought. IN is tram,
dlsaster and RUN TO every nation that has had
the ,cmerlty TO try il. The beneficial Tsrif
of Is12, which ralscd both the People ana
the Government of the United States ont OF
n condition of distress and embnrra ssment,
bordering on bankruptcy. to state "i high
financial and general prosperity, would not
be standing unlmpalred IN the statute book,
instead Of the fatal Tariff OF lsi6, whose
calami,ous effects WILL apprchend, sooner
or later, be certainly realized.
I All this. and more of what has since occur
red, in the Public Councils, was iore'o'd'
prior 90 that cleciion. II was denied, dis,e-
I,rvcd. or unhecded; and We now realize inc
Unfortunate consequences. Bot, both phil.
o.opby and patriotism cnjon that we should
mn, indulge ~ uuavaIllng regrets. ns To the M
durable past, A. part of history m which
n ~ rmbudrd, we may derive from !, ns'rnc.
tive lessons. lot our future guldsucc. aud VIC