Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-10-25
THE COMPROMISE MEASURES.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH Hor. HENRY CLAY.

HE OOMfROMlSE MEASORES.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH Hox. HENRY CLAY.
Hos. HrsRT CLAY, Ashland, Kentucky
REsrEcrID DrAR sIR There periods in the his
tory Of nations when the bold and manly counsel the sega
cious foresight and timely and perssveng efforts of the firm
and patriotic statesman succeed in aveng fearful crisis
at the time the warning voice Of the wise and the good
may require to be repeated and uped, until shall esound
throughout the land.
Your introduction of the Compromise Into the
Senate Of the United sates end their passage by Congress-
marked epoch in history they arrested the sp
proach Of national calamity, and fondy hoped laid
the foundation for returning harmony.
has snce however, become but too apparent that
nued and unremed efforts in favor Of Union sentiments
necessary to resist the current of error, and the main
of sound principles of attachment the Constitution
in order that country may reap the blessed fruits that
were expected from the compromise Of peace.
Several of your noble cosdutors in the the Union
have already addressed the people, and addressing
them, in the words Of truth and patriotism Of eIoquence and
power and have thought right appeal to the Senator
Ofen raised in defence Of the peoples rights may be
silent now.
We have ounded conviction that the great body of
the American people favor Of maintaining and enforcing
the compromises Of the Constitution nevertheless in the re-
solutions and addresses adopted conventions lately assem-
bed around US, have with regret well a. alarm
that the question Of adhesucs the compromise
avoided evaded that modification and amendment de-
cred to be requisite and repeal itself admissible if the
requirements of tho Constitution, in carrying integral
part Of national compact Of higher obligation than
any ordinary act Of legislation.
s evident therefore, that there requires to be gem
orally dused spirit that will not tamper with politicians
whose must inevitably lead the destruction Of the
Constitution spirit that will not hold communion with
those who advance and support doctrines relation to the
great national sdusmen fatal to the future peace and har
mony of the Union who merely acquiesce because they
have alternative while all important occasions they
too plainly disclose, under msy veil Of apparent
men discrimination 70 resist and oppose the efforts Of the
friends of the Compromise and the Union.
We feel confident that you will favor the abettors Of
such doctnes but rather rcprove and denounce them We
therefore respectfully but earnestly ask Of you to leave for
time retreat in Kentucky to appear among at New
York.
The people profoundly grateful for your past efforts
and proud and willing acknowledge your timely and
efficient services They know and honor your Union prn
cples and your national sentiments and none are more
deeply penetrated by these feelings desrous
knowledge those obligations than your feowciizens gen.
orally Of this commercial emporium and did not think
that the present crisis required your warning voice,
presence, and your your counrymen to
Of their duty and their DANGER would attempt
to disturb the repose Of the sage Of Ashland.
[Sgned by yfue hundred citizens Of Mew York.
ASHLAND, OCTOBER 8, 1851.
GENTLEMEN have the honor to acknowledge the re-
cept yesterday Of the address which you transmitted
from number Of gentlemen in the city of New York. Ema-
mating from highly respectable and imposing
from friends and fellowcizens and intelligent
and to whom under such great obligations have pe-
rused with profound attention and Difference After ad
veng to the present state Of public AFFAIRS to the spirit ad
the Of compromise adopted during the
Congress which prevails in certain quarters the necessity
Of unremted exerons to preserve glorious Union and
what has been ssasonaby and well done with much
ability, eloquence and patriotism, by of eminent
countrymen, you invite to leave, for time, my quiet
abode here appear your great city, and to address my
felowczens the actual condition and menacng danger
of our country.
feel gentlemen with the greatest interest and the deep
socitude the full force of all that you have expressed
and would gladly comply with your Wishes and ded
cate the remnant Of life the largest and best part of which
has been spent in the public SERVICE the the Unon
if the state Of my health would allow me- and if believed
that any fresh exerons Of mine would be useful But ever
since the long session Of the last Congress- during which my
arduous duties greater than we'll able encoun
ter my health has been delicate, and 1t has remained
throughout the past summer. hope that it is improving
but it still requires the assduous and entertain
and throw myself into the Of excitement incident to it,
my strength might fail me, and my present debility might be
much increased There place. fully aware, where
should find ardent and enthusiastic friends in one
party, and courtesy and respect in the other than in the
commercial metropolis Of the Union Whilst am consain
ed with much regret respectfully decline the meeting you
propose, avail myself Of the occasion present views
which have taken Of public affairs and which trust may
be received as substitute for any oral exhibition Of them
citizens in New York.
not supposed by the authors and supporters of the
compromise, in the last Congress- that the adoption Of the
series of measures which composed it would the una
nmous of all Their reasonable hopes were
confined to the great majority of the people of the United
States and their hopes have been disappointed Every
where, North South, East and West, an immense maio-
ry of the people satisfied with acquesce in the
promise. This may be confidently asserted in regard to hir-
teen Of the savehong States and thiteen four
teen of the free States In few Of both classes the Sates
and in particular localities dissatisfaction exists exh
biting itself occasionally in words of great violence and
temperance but this feeling is trust where has most
prevailed gradually yielding enlightened Of public
duty will present rapid survey Of the actual state of
things, appears both the North and the South
beginning at the former.
In all that region there but of the various compro
mise that is seriously aNaed and that s the law
made in strict conformity with the constitution for the sur
render of ugUes from lawful service labor But the law
ITSELF with two exceptions has been every where enforced
opposition 1t constantly abang, and the patriotic obga
ons Of obeyng the constitution and the laws made directly
indirectly by the people themselves now almost unver-
law, by the public authority popular discomfort s sometimes