The North-Carolina standard., 1848-09-27
I.E1vrER FROM HENRY CLAY.

MANY of our readers viii remember that IN August
last, Henry Clay was nominated for the Presidency
bv a number of his ardent admirers and friends, at
the Slash Church, in Hanover County, Virginia.
The Richmond Enquirer of the 23d instant, contains
the following letter from Mr.. Clay in reply to the
letter of the President of the Convention rendering
him the nomination:
ASHLAND, 18th Sept. 1s4s
NV dear Sir: / duly received your very kind of
fetal letter, transmitting the OF public
meeting held at the Slash Church, in Hanover coun-
ty, at which they did me the honor to propose my
name as candidate for the Presidency, In terms
highly sfiattering and complimentary.
occasion many names with which, in my youthful
days, was very familiar and extremely intimate
associates at school, playmates, neghbors friends.
The Slash Church, too, where the assemblage took
place. recalls many early and agreeable recollectons,
as being that which received large part of my
imperfect education.
Regarding those proceedings the afectionate ex-
preston of the esteem, attachment and confidence OF
my old companions their descendants, have never
received any similar document with more qualification,
with sentiments of more profound gratitude; and
presume that it in that that the proceed
ings occurred, and were transmitted by you to me.
Considered a serious and formal presentation OF
my to the people of the United States, as can
didate for the Presidential Office, am sure that you
will not be surprised at my saying that 1t is lmposs-
BILE for me to accept the nomination.
My name, with my consent, was submitted to the
consideration of the Philadelphia Convention which
assembled in June last. That body thought proper
to nominate distinguished citizen of the United
States and not me. In view of the relation in which
stood to the Convention, do think that ought
to pass any judgment upon it's proceedings. 1t is
sufficient for to know that it did not deem it ex-
pedient to nominate me- In this decision have en-
tireiy acqnlesced. have quietly submitted to It,
and have given no encouragement or countenance to
any further connection of my name with the
Presidency. To this effect, have uniformly written
|
ed me on the subject hope that my good friends of
Hanover will approve of my adherence to this reso-
luton, dictated by my honor by regard to my char
acter, and by my desire of retirement. Tell them un-
der what great obligations they have placed me and
that shall cherish the proofs of their friendship and
confidence, which you have sent me- among the most
precious treasures of memory.
Nor can conclude without rendering to you, per
| sonally, my grateful Acknowledgements for the kind
and fatterng terms in which you have addressed me,
and especially for your touching allusion the
Grated memories of my lamented parents.
am, with high respect,
Your friend and obed't serv't.,
THOMAS G. CLARKE, Esq"
Mr.. Clay does not even call the name of Zachary
Taylor He merely alludes ss distinguished citi-
zen'' whom tie Wings had Thought proper " to
nominate; and he adds that he does not think that
he ought to pass any Judgment upon the proceed
ngs of the Philadelphia Convention. Considerations
connected with his honor and his character, -
bind him to submit "quietly,'' as he does, to the
action of that Convention but in thus submitting
the 'slaughterng process, he has word of en-
dorsement or commendaton for his prgessed friend,
Gen. Taylor. 1t was scarcely to be expected, not
withstanding the enthusiastic movements made in
his favor in various portions of the country, that Mr.
Clay would consent again to for the Presidency
or, in other words, allow himself be put up
the fourth time, under greater disadvantages than
ever and with the certainty of disastrous de-
feat than it his lot before encounter. But
it tous hoped, by many Whigs-by the very men
who have risen into consequence by his popularity
and the strength of his name and who, four short
years ago, were shouting at his heels and proclaim
ing him almost god-we say these men had the
audacity to hope that Henry Clay would come for
ward, and in due time not only endorse old lack,
but bear his testimony to the fairness and honesty
which characterized the action of the Whig National
Convention. Henry Clay has done such thing.
Like great man who has been wronged and tram
pied on, he stands aloof, leaving the field to Gen.
Apathy and Whig availability. The ungrateful dema
gogues and mercenary politicians whom he has built
up, and who their very existence in the public
eye to his sacrifices and labors in the Whig cause,
may denounce and him in their hearts but that
will be all. They cannot affect him, but they will
find that they hare ruined themselves.