Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1848-04-19

We giye che following Address from the
agreas Eabodimen, Of whiggery," an in.
sertion in ,o-days paper, % that men Of all
parties may have an opportunity of read
ing it. Of cou rse it cannot nor be said
that Mr.. Clay is not a candidate:- 81
Mr.. CLAT'S ADDRESS. S.
OBSERVER & REPokrER OFrIcE,
Lexington, April 10, ls4s.
The following Address to the Public.
from the Hon. II. Clay, has been handed, to
us for publication, andwill appear in our
paper on Wednesday morning:
TO THE PUBLIC.
The various and conflicting reports which
have been in circulation, in regard to my in
tentions with respect to the next Presidency.
appear to me to furnish proper occasion
for full, frank and explicit exposition of
my feelings, wishes and views upon the sub
ject. This it is now my purpose to make
With a strong disincination to the use of
my name again in connection with that Office,
I left my residence in December last. under
determination to announce to the public,
in some suitable form, my desire not to be
thought Of as candidate During my alb
sence, l frequently expressed to different
gentleman my unwillingness to be again in
that attitude; but no one was authorised to
publish my decision, one way or the other,
having reserved the right to do so exclusive
ly to myself. On reflection, thought it
was due to my friends too consult with them
before took final and decisive step Ac-
cordingly, in the course of the last three
months, have had many opportunities of
comforting fully and freely with them
Many Of them have addressed to me the
the strongest appeals, and the most earnest
entreaties, both verbally and written, to dis
suade me from executing my intended pur-
pose. -
They have represented to me that the
withdra wal OF my name would be fatal to
the success, and perhaps lead to the dissolu-
ton, of the party with which have been as
sociated, especially in the free States; that
at no former period did there ever exist so
great proba ability of my election, if would
consent to the use of my name; that the
great states of New York and Ohio would /,
in all human probability, cast their votes for
me; that New York would more certainly
OSDS0" 1ei b0Ai0S AHOA AC tA0A uPOH dAy
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 ex-
listed that Pennsylvania would unite with
them that no candidate can be elected with
out the concurrence Of two of those three
States, and none could be defeated, upon
whom all three of them should be united /;
that great numbers OF our fellow-citizens,
both Of native and of foreign birth who
were deceived and therefore voted against
me at the last election, are now eager for an
opportunity of bestowing their suffrage upon
me; and that whilst there is strong and de-
eided preference for me, entertained by the
Whig party through the United States, they
(the friends to whom refer) at the same
time are convinced that am more available
than any candidate that could be presented
to the American people.
lido not pretend to vouch for the accuracy
of all these representations, although I do
not entertain doubt that they have been
honestly made, and are sincerely believed.
y 1t has moreover been urged to me that the
great obligation under which / have been
placed by large portion Of the People of
the United States the full force of which no
one can be more sensible of than am, de-
manded that should not withhold 1.-The use
of my name, if it be required. And have
been reminded of frequent declarations
which l 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 anx iously
deliberated upon my duty to myself, to my
principles, to my friends, and above all, to
my country. The conflict between my un-
affected desire to continue in private life,
as most congenial with my feelings and con-
dition, and my wish faithfully to perform
all nv public duties, has been painful and
embarrassing. If refuse the use of my
name, and those injurious consequences
should ensue, which have been so confidently
predicted by friends, should justly incur
their reproaches, and the reproaches of my
own heart. And, if on the contrary, I
should assent to the use of my name, what
ever the result may be, shall escape both.
I have therefore, finally decided to leave
to the National Convention, which is to as
semble next June, the consideration of my
name, with such others as may be presented
to it, to make selection of suitable can
didate for President of the United States.
And whatever may be the issue of its fair
and full deliberation, it will meet with my
prompt and cheerful acquiescence.
1t will be seen from what | 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 United States Owing,
perhaps, to this, as well as other causes
many of my friends and fellow-citizens
have avowed preference for, and directed
their attention to the distinguished names Of
other citizens of the United States. | take
pleasure in truly declaring that ! have no
regrets to express, no complaints, no re-
proaches to make on account Of any such
preferences, which I am fully persuaded
are generally founded on honest and patriot
ic convictions. II. CLAY.
Ashland, 10th April, lS4S
Governor Shunk-The Veto.
Our excellent Governor has proved his