New-York daily tribune., 1858-12-02
SPEECH OF senator CRITTENDEN

Tie members of the Wing General Committee and
,f the AshIandc,s Associal on waited upOn S'nator
C,treucen at the S. Nicholas Hotel yesterday to ten
Ger him their respects. AdJrcs-es were made IN be-
nsit T., the Wigs hv Mr.. JESNN@:, :2i By pf'
DoDGE ON the part of the Ashanders ioe S'N'' '''
advanced were devotion to the principles and the
memory Of Henry Clay regret that the Wing purity
had been disbsl dec and the hope that Mr Critendrn
would come forward the Wing standard bearer to
endeavo, to resuscsts the party.
Mr.. CRlrTEKDEs, in response, said: wOuld have
YOU believe, NY friends in the Grst place. that
10 this cit, upon no pot cal mission to pot
eal end I came here with no other motive than to
attend to eome little private business my way to
tie City Of Wasll gtop. Iexpecttd 10 such welcome
as this had not appreciated my selfso highly aud
fhepk YOU gratefully a-d with all my heart, foe the
w,lcou,A YOU have gwen Ii is an honor thst did
no, look far nor o.r.vc, aud, therefore, the more
Grateful to my heat. Gentlemen, both Of these al
5,.ssea VII ch have had the honor Of receiving,
brestl the same principles, the Same sentiments tist
ien,ertap They are my principles, they are my senti-
,n,pts. which | endeavored TO mautaiu for a long
course of wears under the barrer Of the Wing party;
tey are as deeply impressed upon my heArt to-day
"a in the most youthful hour of my pclical lie.
nv vi,w, aud MY principles have under-
cone no change, The Waig psrty was glorious
Dsr.v Its enemies, now in its weakness acknowledge
!, And II i vet destined trust tO gorou. re-ur-
roctou iu principles at ast if not IN name, tor Tue
good of cur common country. Appause The Cor
stitaton Of the United States was It's PLATFORM anu
tbe maiuienauce Of the Government in ITS pristine
nur;ty II main object il sous hi to accomplish. That
WINS the object for which Henry Clay laborei uncea'-
ipciv. / served with him, or rather under hm'
t,,ouch nspy and many long I'D weary contest, AMI
lnrir the whole Of our political ltie there never
wss shade Of alienation between rs. save once AMI
that was disspated 10y mutual T ,So ~
Ionk upou Claws name aud fame with AL inc reFeT'
spce t6at he deserved. kneW hlm welt fe" kurW
him in public or in private life better tn'o l u. auH
by mono Was he more respected: never MY" -. ~
~ ;n,rend servant of the people a. he WAS orcpi
and dsieelesied above AL men, he II entl,ia" - 'l0
HIGHEST ooumeI dation of his country NNhH '" u
", hinchipp dirii itereseduees that kho" ~
no ,oss ,hoye all other patriots Webster anl Nuohu
wr. ,sty;,,ts and leaders in party; but Cey was
lie ore,t father aud choiCf the Wnlg P9ly' ~
him We looked through mauy weary Hsy oi s'l.O
controversy | hope 10 see his pTl'Ipes !ct PC.
ana they must pre- all IL the ,h; il hal
try ever to be restored to the character "Sn - %
IN ii uue OF WashineOD, ami the Ia'ne'S =. 'e
public lCbeers.l But parton me, tiu M@ M@ no =. ,,oss
make political speech. lou ask me u 9"s h.,,l,
addresses, 1t viii bead the vanguard, anu uv
in the patriotic strife FOR the restoration O our "'
ernmeut to it, pristine purity. thank You i'f 'ue
compliment which imQie>, but answer yod, S'u.,
tlemsn, No. cannot assume any such position; pat
Lam willing to serve with you, euIeaSoring to DO my
duty &c Lave doue heretofore, and shall bop9 tha,
nv conduct will correspond with your opin nns rnsi
ycur wishcs; ard Pee reason to donbt tbs. i. VIII
for tevc no object TO depart from the ruls OF my
life to msptsin the truth aud upheld the ri.h'. l.
could go wrorg pow must Be throngh se.is auess or
yiciousness and believe that hare ou.iived both
of these. My ambition now is - be, as l have saii
several tines before, patriot rather thaa a
pa,tissr; TO give 10 II, country in any os its c)unc
where may happen to be, soch advice as tae mo!
Grafton Of nv views, aui the experience Of my is
nav ,ugpest This IS my Lishcs, ambition l All
content 10 seyre as long "a | can be usefo 10 onl
oouItry. Orc ef the great misfortunes OF oar coan
try at tLeie aro ST. many dcsiiOus to rule ai
ic~ who are willing to scrle. | an not cau Mat
for the Presidency. | sometimes see mT name use
by the public press and myself spoken OF a. q canii
date. Inever see IT withoat regret; an no caoti
date for the Presidency, do ever expoc; to be
l slau Legtr seek for a ansInoaton. To my msd
here is so mpoh responsibility attached tC t'.' P'"
ton thst /, il 10 be- dreaded more han 20 b. istci
sr1 10, candidate aid 20 rot eApey. 'o D.; bn
ICUN.. c -. c.ot -.c " a. AL J..ae . '..I 81.