Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-04-20

conquer and there are never any killed and
wounded
THE HON. HENRY CLAY'S SENTIMENTS IN
REGARD TO THE PRESIDENCY.
The various and conflicting reports which
have been in circulation as to my intentions with
respect to the next presidency, appear to me to
furnish proper occasion for a full, frank and
explicit exposition of my feelings, wishes and
views upon that subject This it is now my
purpose to make With a strong Discrimination
| TO the use of my name again in connection with
that office, left my residence in December last,
under determination to announce to the pub
| lie, in some suitable FORM my desire not to be
| thought of as candidate In my absence, ire
quenty expressed to different gentlemen my I'M
willingness to be again in that attitude, though
no one was authorized to publish my decision,
one way or the other, having reserved the right
to do 50 exclusively myself On reflection,
thought it was due to my friends to consult with
them before took decisive step, According
", within the course Of the last three months,
have had an opportunity of conycrsing fully and
freely with them, many Of them having addressed
to me the strongest appeals and the most earnest
entrcaties, both verbally and written, to dissuade
me from executing my intended purpose.
They represented to me that the withdrawal
Of my name would be fatal to their success, and
perhaps lead to the dissolution of the party with
which have been associated particularly in 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 all
probability, cast their vote for me; that New
York would more certainly bestow her suffrage
upon me than any other candidate; that Ohio
would give her vote to no candidate residing in
the slave states, but to me; that there is a bet
ter prospect than has heretofore at any time eX-
listed 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 decided upon on whom all Of them
could be united ; that great numbers of our fell
low citizens, both Of native and foreign birth,
who were deceived, and therefore voted against
me at the last election, are now eager for an
opportunity Of bestowing their suffrages upon
me: and whilst there is a strong and decided
preference entertained for me by the great body
Of the wing party throughout the United States,
they, the friends to whom refer, at the same
time are convinced that am moro available than
any candidate that could be presented for the
American people do not pretend to vouch
for the accuracy of all these representations, al
| though do not entertain doubt that they have
been honestly made and are sincerely believed
1t has been, moreover, urged to me that the
great obligation under which have been hith-
erto 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, demand that
| should not withhold the use Of my name, if il
should be required, and have been reminded
of frequent declarations which have made, that
whilst life and health remain, man is bound tc
render his best services upon the call Of his
, country
Since my return home, have anxously de-
liberated upon my duty to myself, to my princi
pies, to my friends, and above ALL to my coun
|; try, The conflict between my unaffected desire
to continue IN private life as most congenia tC
my feelings and condition, and my wish faithfully
to perform all my public duties, has been painful
and embarrassing. If | refuse the use of m,
t name, and those injurious consequences SHOULD
r cnsue which have been so confidently predicted
by my friends, should Justly incur their re
l. proaches, and the reproaches Of my own heart
and if, on the contrary, should assent to thu
use Of my name, whatever the result may be,
i shall escape both ); have therefore finally de
cided to leave to the national convention, which
is to assemble next June. the consideration o
my name in connection with such others as ma
be presented to it, to make selection of suitabl,
candidate for the presidency of the United States
: and whatever may be the issue of it, its fair ant
full elaboration will meet with my prompt anc
cheerful acqulescence. 1t will be seen from
what | have stated that there was reason to an
= ticpate that would decline giving my consen
+ to the use fmy name again as candidate 70
S the presidency of the United States. Owing
perhaps, to this as we'll as other causes, many
e my friends and fellow citizens have avowed thei
F., preferences for, and directed their attention tic
e the distinguished names of other citizens of tn
e United States. take pleasure in truly declal
l. ing, that | have no regrets to express, No con
S plants, no reproaches to make, on account
l. any such preferences, which am fully persuade
% are generally founded on honest and patriot
convictions HENRY CLAY.
Ashland April 10th, lS48