Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1848-04-20
ADDRESS BY HENRY CLAY.
His Name Submitted 30 Il National
Convention.

Convention.
CINCINNATI, April l2
HENRY CLAY has given publicity to the follow
irg Address, authorizing his name to be presented
to the Wing National Convention.
TO THE PUBLIC.
The various apd conflicting reports which have
been in circulation in regard to my intentions with
respect to the next presidency, appear to me to
furnish proper occasion for full, frank and ex-
phcit exposition of my feelings, wishes and views
upon the subject This it is now proper to make
With strong disincIinaton tn the use of my name
again in connection with that office, left my res
idence in December last, under determination TO
announce 10 the public IN some suitable form my
desire not to be thought of as candidate. During
nv absence frequently expressed to different gen.
tlemen my unwlingness to be again in that atl-
tude but though no one was authorized to pub
lish my decision one way or the other, having le-
served the right to do so exclusively to myself on
reflection thought it was due to my friends to
consult with them before | took decisive and fl
nal step.
months, have had opportunity of comforting fully
and freely with them. Many ofthem have address,
ed to me the strongest appeals, and the most earn
est en,reaties, both verbally and written, to dis
suade me from executing my intended purpose
They represented to me that the withdrawal of my
name would be fatal to the success, and perhaps
lead to the dissolution of the party with which
have been associated, and especially in the free
States; that at no former period did there ever
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 all proba-
bity, cast their vote for me, that New York would
more certainly bestow her suffrage upon me than
any other candidate, and that Ohio would give her
vote to no candidate residing in the slave states
but to me that there is better prospect than has
heretofore at any time existed that Pennsylvania
would unite with them that no candidate can be
elected without the concurrence of two of these
three states and none could be defeated upon whom
all of these should be united that great numbers
of our fellow citizens borh of native and foreign
birth, who were deceived and therefore voted
against me at the last election, are now eager for
an opportunity of oestowng their suffrages upon
me, and that whilst there is a strong and decided
preference for entertained by the great body Of
the Wing party throughout the United Ssates.-
They (the friends to whom relerl at the same
time are convinced that am more available than
any candidate that could be presented for the
A I Il for
the accuracy of all these representations, although
do not entertain doubt that they have been hon.
estly made, and are sincerely believed.
1t has been, moreover: urged to me that the great
obligations under which | have been hitherto
placed by large portion of the people of the Uni
ted States, the full force of which no one can be
more sensible of than am, demand that should
not withhold the use of my name if it should be
requested: And have been reminded Of frequent
declarations which have made, that whilst life
and health remain, man is bound to render his
best services upon the call of his country.
Since my return home, have anxiously delibe-
rated upon my duty to myself, to my principles,
to my friends, and above all, to my country The
in private life as most congenial with my feelings
and condition, and my wish faithfully to perform
all my public duties, has been painful and en-
barrassfng. If refuse the use of my name and
those injurious consequences should ensue, which
have been 80 confidently predicted by friends,
should justly incur their reproaches, and the re-
proaches of my own heart and if, on the contra
ry, | should assent TO the use of my name, what
ever the result may be, shall escape both.
have therefore finally decided to leave to the
National Convention, which is to assemble in June,
the consideration of my name, in connection with
such others as may be presented to it., to make a
selection of suitable candidate for President Of
United States, and whatever may be the issue of
its fair and full deliberations it will meet with my
prompt and cheerful acquiesence.
1t will be seen, from what T have stated that
there was reason to anticipate that would decline
giving my consent to the use of my name again as
a candidate for the Presidency of the U. States.
Owing perhaps to this, as well as other causes,
avowed preference for, and directed then atten-
ton to, the distinguished names of other citizens
Of the United States: Itahe pleasure in truly de-
caring that have no regretssto express, no COM
plants, no reproaches to make on account of anv
such preferences, which. am fully persuaded, are
founded on honest and patriotic eonsirtlons.
Ashland, 10Th April, 1913. Ii. CLAY