The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-02

the Ashlanders feo!. Iknew him well public life, and
NO man knew him better more intimately, Denove,
Than did; and can say for him. now that ne gone
! never knew such an intrepid servant OF she peo
pie as Henry Clay was With courage unfaiing, and
with all the attributes Of he rose above all the pat
riots that have known Webster and Calhoun were great
meD-1 do not compare them-ihey were gfeas, very
great and Mr. Clay was the great che OF the wing party
II was his voice. II his spirit that anased shas party
and ope its principles yet prevail and they must
preva this country is ever to be restored 10 i's con
stituena character which II ought always TO bear.
do not come before YOU my friends to make any political
address whatever thank you for your kind and
cordial reception You ask in OF these addresses
will take the vanguard and fght this battle Of battles OF
the great patriotic which you all esponse thank
you for the compliment but answer you, gentle.
men no--I cannot assume any such leadership.
am willing 70 with you; l viii endeavor TO
do my duty as have done il heretofore. My am
bition now is to be, l have said several times
before, patriot rather than partisan, and TO
give my country that advice which moderation and
perience engender. am now grown to be an old man,
and am content 20 serve my country as | have done
applause I'm content with the honor have received,
and beg you, my friends not to misundefstand me
am not candidate for the Presidentship. ! sometimes
see my name treated by the pubic press, and myself
spoken Of candidate for the Presidency and never
without regret am no candidate for President nor
ever expect TO be- shall ainy ask it; for to
my mind there is something in IL Of great and weghty re-
sponsibty TO be feared than 70 be loved wish TO
be compatTiot and cooperator with you in all your eX
eItons but do not desire 20 be candidate and shall
ask for it-that is certain All tina. fear, my
nends is that the honor and kindness which you have
evnced towards this occasion may lead 70 the idea
that there IS some political design or purpose up
my part. Be you my witnesses that there
is not and help God you testify nothing but tho
truth let those who please ask for IT, am no seeker
for H. No ambition of tina, sort has ever yet disturbed
moment Of my lifetime, will il deprive OF
a moments sleep Yet think have heart TO feel for
country-to strive for ito speak for ito act for it,
aud thank God have mind 70 think for il, and that
he has given courage 10 speak what do speak That
! viii do-that have done and that will do At all
times. (Appause) That is what my noble state taught
from my youth, when ran Wild through her wilder
ness where there was none TO make any one afraid Eel
low. citizens, you say you need my counsel 70 what
there is TO be done think with you, tnat 8
time this great agia had for time ceased Then the
people might pause and take breath and that the parties
themselves may which way they were drifting, and
how far they had dred. What has been the result OF all
this agitation upon subject to which you will allow me
to alude, but which will not name l am sick Of II 20
the very heart. sick Of this Niger question in all
the forms in which il has been presented What has
been the result of ALP united people divided and
sectional line almost established between and with
that line will follow. doubt, sectional feeling. We
should be people, in name as fathers were
united, and stand side By side patriot fahersas
statesmen fathers--xho fought side by side and
acted in counsel for their country side by side Have We
derived from them other inheritance than that Of per
petual sectional division and controyersiesY What
mighty inheritance did receiyel What mighty
happiness did received Why, il is enough 10 make
the heart OF any human being swell almost to bursting
look at the progress whi1h we have made; and think
that The people OF this country are coming rapidly
10 the idea of examining this point. l think that
but or the dissensions Of parties the people them
selves would recrfy the grievance. Our govern
ment is founded upon the supposed intelligence
and capacity Of the people for self government, and be
that but little OF this liberty left TO the reope From
what is called Organization that is, 70 make mighty
machine, by which great multitude Of the people
be controlled and two or three are TO manage the ma
ehnery-the peoples voice is not heard. think there
SHOULD be an end 10 all this; IL s infringing upon the
rights Of the people; and when these rights in the
least touched efgoyernm mcnt falls the ground be-
eve gentlemen, that the old wings could DO nothing bet
ter than propagate that sentiment, believe the
hearts and minds OF the people the source Of all pot
cal truth. fear am getting into speech which did
not intend to mako. Permit me, then to say again, and
he hiatt fhEen mn ~
will report with all possible sincerity, when l say
that ! am no candidate, and that don't want any
is win sincere regret ever see my name an
bounced coupled with the high Office OF President
wish to God, and hope that II will be So that some
able guide and watch over the dcsnies Of
this country should have IT, would not gentlemen, &C
cet the Presidency unless 10 contingency which y not
likely 20 happenthat Il the unbiased opinion of the
people Of the United States that could my country
but do not want 20 be candidate. gentlemen, ther
will no lack Of candidates. and dincuty Of selecting
one; however, ss said before, you may count upon
ss true and faithful CO operator with you IN your schemes
for the nation Of the Of this country and
tue-to make IT what was in Washiugton's time. ZAP
piausel Suppose you we're 70 make comparison be
tween the government under Washington aud that unic
buthauan. j. II not hyperbolcaR There s no ike
ness--not even family resemblance. ttaughter.) We
should gentlemen, try to get back to those OBI principles,
for We have a great and mighty country which viii ono
day contain hundred millions Of souls just
thiuk Of that great day-lt s worth living fort IS
worth diving for-tho day whtn this country will
tain one hundred millions Of fIeemen, governed with the
supreme laws Of self government After further
marks The honorable gentleman concluded by thinking
them Cor their very cordial welcome and reception. 10
thanked them Tor their appreciation Of his iuct, which
lie vouid NY 70 Preserye in future. IL ~ould prefer
assisting them In making President, be would rather
be President maker than President he
hoped that the people would elect truly good man, and
that they won govern in time past n harmony " the
country and the happiness which resulted TO zap
plause)
After a few words from Mr. JENNINGS thanking tho
honorable gentleman Tor address, the committee with
drew.