The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1848-05-10
MR. CLAY AND THE PRESIDENCY
From the Baltimore Sun.
To the Pu b lie.

= u e \ c.
The various and conflicting reports which
have been in circulation, IN regard 10 my
With regard 10 the next Presi-
dcncy, appear TO furnish the proper coca.
sion for the full, frank ami explici, exposi.
tioa Of my feelings, wishes and views upon
that sutj-ct. which i, is now my purpose to
make. With a strong dissemination TO the
use Of my nsgne again 10 connection with
that office, left nv residence in December
last, under determination TO announce TO
the public, 10 some suitable form, my de.
sire 40, TO be thought OF as a candidate.
10 nv absence, frequently expressed to
diaerent gentlemen my unwillingness to
he again III that altitude, bu, though
no one was authorized to publish my de.
cislon, one way or the other, having re.
served the, tight TO do so exclusively to nv.
self, on reflection, though, i, due 10 my
friends 10 consult with them before took
tiaal and decisive step"
Accordingly, within the course Of the
las, three months, have had an oppor,unl.
ty of conversing fully aud freely with them
Many OF them have addressed to me the
the strongest appeals aad The ga mo-, s.,,,., -
entreaties. boil. -----"y aha written, 10
-'--~aus he from executing my intended
purpose. They represented 20 me that the
withdrawal Of my name would be fatal to
the success, and perhaps lead TO the disso.
luton oil The party with which have been
associated, particularly 10 the free States ;
that at no former period did there exist SO
great probability Of my election, if [
would consent TO The use Of my name that
the great States Of New York and Ohio
would IN oil probability cas-, their votes for
me; that New York would more certainly
bestow her suffrage UPON me than any 9th
er candidate that Ohio would give her
vote to no other candidate residing in the
slave States but 10 me tina, there is a bet.
tor prospect than bad heretofore al any time
existed; that Pennsylvania would unite
with them; that no candidate can be cleo.
ted without the concurrence oftw Of these
three States, and none could be defeated
upon whom all Of them should be united ::
that great number Of our fellow citizens,
both OF native and foreign birth, who we're
aeceived, and therefore voted against me al
the last election, are now eager, for an op.
portunlty OF besiowiGg their surfaces 90
me; that whilst there is a strong and deci.
ded preleresce for me entertained by the
great body of the Wing party throus hou.
The United States, they-lhe friends 10
whom ! refer-are convinced that | am
more available than any candidate that
could be presented TO the American PEG.
pie. do not pretend 10 vouch for the &C.
cutacy of all thsse representations, although
90 no, entertain doubt that they have
been honestly made and are sincerely be.
lieved.
/! has been moreover urged TO me ,ha,
the great obligations unds, which have
been hitherto placed by large portion Of
the people Of the United States, the foil
force OF which no one can be more sensible
than am, demand tina, should not with.
hold the use Of my name If i, be required
and | have been reminded of frequen, de.
elaralIons which | have made, that, while (
life and health remain, man is bound to
render his best services upon the call Of bis
country.
Since my return home | have anxiously
dellbera,ed upon my duty 10 myself, to my
principles, 10 my friends, and above all, TO
my country. The cornc. between my un.
affected desire TO continue in private life,
ns mos. congenia with my feelings and con.
di'ion, and my wish faithfully 10 perform all
my public duties, has been painful and em.
barrassing. II refuse the use of my
name, AMI those injurious consequences
should ensue which have been so con6den,
~ predicted by friends, should Justly in
cur their reproaches, and the reproaches Of
my own heart; and If, on The contra.
ny, | Shout. assent 10 The use of nv name,
whatever the result may be, shall escape
both.
| hive therefore faally decided to leave
TO the National Convention, which is 10 as
semble next June, the consideration of nv
name, in connexion with such others as NAV
be presented TO il, 10 make selection of
suitable cand date for President Of the Uni.
ted States and, Whatever may be the issue
OF its fair and full deliberations, i, will meet
with my proIp, aud cheerful acqaiescence.
IL will be seen, from what have stated,
that there was reason TO anticipate thai
would decline giving my consen, to the use
OF my name again as candidate for the
Presidency Of the United States. Owing,
perhaps 10 this, as well az other causes,
many ofmy friends and fello citizens have
svowed preference for, and directed their
attention 10 the distinguished names of 9th.
er citizens Of the United States. take
pleasure 10 truly declaring tina, have no
regrets 10 repress-no complaints, no re.
proaches 20 make on accoun, of any such
preferences, which | am fully persuaded
are generally founded on honest and pa,r.
o!lc convictions.
II. CLAY.
ASHLAND, April IS, ls4s.