The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-07-10
MR.. CLAY'S LETTER.
ASHLAND, Both July. 1916.

I'CHf y 70
l received your friendly letter and
feel Under great obligations TO you tor
ue kind intentions end purposes towards
me which Itexpresse.. You have thought
It due to me that should be presented
with some large and liberal testimonial
of a pecunisry n4ture, by the Wings OF
the United States, and with that view
yOI heve devised plan OF accomplish
ing the object which is sketched IN your
letter.
regret, my dear sir, the consequences
to our country, which have resulted from
the defeat OF the Wigs in 1874 We
are now most seriously feeling them, and
| fear 1t will be long time before they
cease to 5perste. For myself, l ought to
entertain no regrets. | am probably
Dgppier here than | should be IN the eX
alLed station to which the psrtialty o.
nv friends WAS desirous OF elevating me.
But after deliberately considering the
des On communicated in your letter, |
eel constrained 10 express my dlsappro-
b.tiuu OF II Since the unfortunate issue
81 the Presidential election, humorous
testimonies OF the esteem and attachment
ot my Whig brethren, IN every variety
Of form, and from every quarter OF the
Union. have poured in on me; and
scarcely week elspses without my re.
ceiying some fresh proof of their regard.
Many of my friends too, in the most deli
cate and unostentatious manner imagins.
Bile have contributed to my relief from pc
cLnlary embarrassment. This was done
without any previous knowledge on my
part, by applying directly to my credi.
tors and cancellIng my obligations TO
them. And remain even to this day
Isuorart OF the names OF most OF these
generous contributors.
Under all these circumstances, l can
Hot think OF giving my consent to any
further appeal to the purses ofmv friends.
The possibility OF being n burden to any
part OF the community would affect
me infinitely more than l could
be benefited by any amount of pecunl.
arv assistance, however great.
1t is true that | am not rich; but l AN
nearly tree from debt, and l possess q
competency 70 enable me to live IN com.
tort during the remnant OF my days, and
u fulfill some of the duties of hospitality.
II cannot extend II to all who honor
me by their numerous visits TO this
place. | am sure OF al apology in the
hberality and Justice OF their hearts.
trust too, nv dear SIR, that You will
approve the motives which prompt the
transmission of tnis answer to your
ooligiug letter. My gratitude to you is
iu,, n, lively ss it would have been II l
had returned one Of Al opposite import.
! am truly
Your friend and obedient servant,
II. CLAY.
y. b. Wcdglrooa, Esq.
The letter Is char 4cteristic ofthe great
man who penned il. His big heart vas
touched hy the kindness of MS friends,
vet ne was too proud to be regarded III
any sense burden to the community,
and vet how delicately ne declines their
generous offer, knowing that his tisap-
probation of the scheme would be ss
paintul to them An Nh acceptance would
have been 10 himself.
In this connection | will give some old
lines, written about the same time, by an
admirer OF the mill boy of the Slsshes."
HENRY CLAY.
He wears no crown upon that brow which
CLEANS in freedoms van,
Where every god has set his seal 10 snow
the world a man;
Nor bears ne il his trusty hanu the war
rior's spear and glaive,,
Whose harveSiS are the falling ranks that
purthen Ruins grave.
But prouder than the proudest king whose
million vasSalS bow,
He wears the wreath Nations hand mas
twiued upon his brow;
And peerless Der his fallen foes, with
flaming plume and crest,
He shines among Nations stars the
brightest and the best.
Ris name is not sculptured thing where
old Reuowp has reared