The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-04-13
HIGHLY IMPORTANT MANIFESTO
OF TIKI
HIS POSITION DEFIN L ID
IN RELATION TO
THE PRESIDENCY.

PHILADELPHIA, Aprh H. 1915
Mr.. CLAY has authorixs ID the following for publica.
,ion:--
The various and conflicting reports which have been
next Presidency appear to to furni,h proper
sion for full frank and explicit exposition Of my feel
rgs, wishes aud views upon that subj,ot This 1t IL
now my purpose 10 make
Wths strong disioclination to the use of my
name sgAini n connection with that ONCE, left my
residence in December last under a determination
to announce to tbs public, in suitable form, my
desire not to be thought of candidate In my absence
frequently expressed to different gentlemen my vii.
iuguess to be again In that stitude but though
was authorized to publish my decision way the
other, having reserved the right to do exclusively
myself on reflection, l thought 1t was due to my
friends to consult with them before took decisive step
Accordingly, within the Of the last three
months have had an opportunity of converting fully
and freely with thsm many Of them having addressed
to me the strongest appeals and the most earnest snrsa
ties both verbally AMI written, to dissusds from
executing my intended purpose. They represent to
that the withdrawal Of my would be fatal to their
success and perhaps lead to the dissolution Of tie
party with which have been associated, particularly
in the free States; that at no former period did
there exist 30 great probability Of my election,
would consent to the Of my name that the great
States Of New York and Ohio would, in oil probability,
cast their vote for that New York would more GER
tanIy bestow her suffrage upon than any other
ddsei that Ohio would give her vot to candidate
residing In the slave States but mel that there is
bstter prospect than hiss heretofore ct any time existed
that Pennsylvania would unite with them that
ddste can DO elected without the concurrence of two
OF these three Seaes and could be decided upon
On whom all Of them could be united that great
bsrs of fellow citizens both of native and foreign
In daN ID akaA
at the last election eager for opportunity Of
bsstowing their suragss upon and whilst there is
strong and decided preference for me, entertained by
the great body Of the whg party throughout the United
States, they the friends to whom REFER ct the same
time are convinced that am available than any
candidate that could be presented for the American peo
ple do not pretend to vouch for the accuracy Of all
these Representations. although do not entertain
doubt that they have been honestly made, and sim
csrsly believed.
It has been, moreover, urged to me that the great
obligation under which have been hitherto plsosd
BY large portion Of the people Of the United
States, the full force Of which no one can be
more sensible Of than Am, demand that should net
withhold the use Of my nsme II 1t should be require d.
and / have been reminded Of frequent declarations
which have made, that whilst life and health remain,
bound to render his best services upon the call Of
bis country. Since my return homo, have anxiouily
deliberated upon my duty to myself to my principles
to my friends, and above ALL to my country The
aict between my unaffected desire to continue In pri
vats life, most conseuia to my eengs and condition
and my wish faithfully to perform all my public duties
has been painful and embarrassing II refuse the Of
my name, and those injurious consequences should
ensue which have been 30 confidently predicted
by my friends should Justly incur their rsproaches
and tho reproaches Of my own heart; and H. the
trary should assent to the Of my name whatever
the result may be, shall escape BOTH have therefore
anslly decided to leave to the national convention
which to assemble next June the consideration of my
name In connection with such others may present.
ed to It, to make selection Of suitable candidate for
the Presidency Of tbs United States; and wha,sver may
bs the Issue Of it, Its fair and full elaboration will meet
with my prompt snl cheerful acquiescence II will bs
seen from what have stated that there reason to
anticipate that would decline giving nv consent to
tho use OF my name again a. q candidate for the
Presidency Of the United States Osng, perhaps, to
this, as we'll as othr causes, many Of my frisnds and
fellow citizens have avowsd their preferences for and d.
rectsd their attention to, the distinguished
other citizens Of the United States take pleasure In
truly declaring, that have regrets to express
complaints, reproaches to make account Of any
such preference, which am fully pursusded are gene
rally founded honest and patriotic convictions
HENRY CLAY.
| AsHLArD, April 10th 1913