Democratic banner., 1846-10-05
CLAY'S LETTER.

"PreServe us from our friends" IS o say
ing as old as the hills, and not withou
good reason. We were forcibly reminded
ofthe aphorism, by perusing the following
letter from Henry Clay, in a slip from tn,
N. Y Courier and Enquirer. Against Mr.
Clay, personally, we have no dislike. w.
look upon him, as an American, with pride
and however we differ from him political
ly, ne would be the last to stir up hi. ash.
cs Che being politically dead) by any re.
marks not based apOn his public actions a.
a pablo man. But when his friends Gag.
erly seize upon his private correspondence.
aHd endeavor to foist it upon the people as
prophecy, or eve as a correct and exact
statement of historical facts, It becomes
public; and as such must stand the test Of
public examination. Had a Democratic
paper done this, it wonld have been de-
nounced as a forgery; or as a locofoco lie,
possibly, BY this same Courier and Enouir-
Ell; but as it is its own act, We shall wait,
to hearfrom itself, its own definition of this
delinquency:
Ashland, 10th Sept, 1916.
Gentleman; I received your favuor of the
2nd ult., several weeks ago, and | have
within a few days past, safely received fhe
piece Of floor oil cloth to which it refers
which you have kindly presented to me, to
cover my hall. 1: came in Pefect order,
having been put mp with remarkable care.
itAow occupies the place foI which it was
designed and is greatly admired for the solid
ity o fthe fabric, and taste and beauty of the
brilliant colors which adorn it. It would
successfully compare with any piece of floor
oil cloth, manufactured in foreign countries
or at home. Thanks and grateful acknowI-
edgement for it.
You have done me the favor to present
me this valuable article as you pleased to
state, for 5many and great public s~srvicesS
and as token Of your gratitude for nv
'spowerful advocacy of the interest of a,
mericaa industry"
/ am happy, gentleman, thus to have CO.
cured you APPROPRIATIONS. In LOOKING back
from my retirement, upon my public exer,
ton their is no part of my public extinction.
which l contemplate with more satisfaction
than the support which throughout the
whole oft, / constantly, ze~alously and faith
fully gave to the industry of nv own coun.
try. Its prosperity or adverstity has heen
as infallibly marked, by the adeona"
cy of projections, as the tbermoma-
indicates heat or cold believe that the svs.
TEN OF protection, Notwithstanding III. a..
positions which it has often encountero5
has pushed the nation forward half =
century in advance of where it would
have been, if the doctrine of free trada
had always prevailed in our nnbIic
councils. Whether it will be pushed back
again to the same or any other extent bv
the tariff recently established, which b.s
sought to subvert the previous system, and
to embody those doctrines remains ~ be
seen 4 confess that | seriously apprehend
great injury to the general business of the
country, and ultimately to the revenue of the
Government. If there shall not be a laroe
addition to the amount of our foreign imnor.
tatlons. the treasury must experience a larceI
deficit. s
fthere should be all addition sufficient to COM
pensate the reduction of duties; the increased
must be paid for by an equivalent increase in tbs
Ualne of our exports, or the balance must he Oh
justed in specie. l have not the remotest e,nec.
tation that we shall be able to effect navmsnt hv
additional expectation ofthe products of the COM.
try. We, in the West. do not believe that the
in the British system of restriction il
going to create any considerable demand Gor The
surplus of our agricultural produce. We shall
! fear, be constrained TO resort to the other Alter,
native, in the event ofan excess of innort,.;on,
and pay for them in the precious metals. ned
not dwell on the commercial disorder. the em-
baTrasment in every department of cuisines. and
the wide spread ruin which would be occ,s;,naJ
By a constant expectation of specie in large am
cunts. We have had experience enough of these
fatal consequences. whenever protection of in
d'Ictry has been inadequate.
In all these views, I may be entirely mistaken
may turn out that our importations will ~contin.
he to prosper; that the revenue or1he Goyerment
be ample. Anxious for the welfare and
prosperity Of the nation, whatever councils or svs-
ems Of policy may prevail, / shall BIS most han.
py to hnd these results realized and that | have
enormously entertained the opinions to which 7
hare so long sincerely adhered.
In every contingency. gentlemen, / prav vour
acceptance Of nay best wishes for the success of
FOUR beautiful manufacture and for your health.