Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-04-23
Wask,ngton, leM April, 1s24.

he has dealt with others, by ascribng unwor-
thy motives Ia his publications, however much
ne may merit il. Let the motive be found in
ihe.yecolleciions Of the past Tor the auticipa-
t;ons uf the iuture--in the devotion TO coun-
try, or the qualification of IA long cherished
enmity-- he IS welcome t1 all the comfort they
may administer 10 his reflections, or the ustre
they may add To his fame--he will find few TO
envy him either. The only point mean to
touch on Is, that in regard 10 Mr.. Clay's being
| Il popularity hunter-than which il is believed
| "A more unmerted aud unfounded charge was
never made.
! Ii is we'll known To- those who understood
any thing of public sentiment, that at the
commencement of the late war-the NAVY
was in all the west exceedingly unpopular
and upon his first move in Congress in its "a
vor, he was admonishea by frequent express
sions from that quarter of the loss of his pop
ulsrity, which he must probably incur by lis
support Yet Mr.. Clay took most decided
and prominent stand in its favor, and used his
best exertions TO render il efficient, perceiving
the necessity and the benefits of its employ
ment in the war and Mr.. Giles will recollect.
perhaps, that MIR. Pope then Senator from
Kentucky, then the personal and political op-
ponent of Nlr. Clay, opposed the Navy. The
Navy has since become pOpular-because of
its signal gallantry and success.
On the subject of internal improvement
MIR. Clay gave unequvocal indications of his
opinions in support Of such a system the Grst
session that he had seat in the Congress of
the United States, which was in the session of
| l8O6-he was then member of the Senate !:
to the principles then avowcd, every proper
occasion since has presented additional testi-
mony of his constant adherence to the sys-
tenn. Was it popular, when Mr.. Clay fist be-
came its advocate that's the question Will
Mr.. Giles say IL was il he does, the opposition
1t has continually met with from many parts
of the Union and particularly of the executive
department of the government, will stand in
array against his assertion.
The recognition of the Independence of
Spanish America, is another subject charged
to he Hobby.
1t is well known, that when Mr. Clay first
took up this subject, he was able to obtain but
45 votes in the House of Representatives fer
Int. The residue of the House of Representa-
lives were opposed to it. The executive and
cabinet were opposed 10 it-an awful odds
and beside there were men found, who cried
Out opposition 10 The administration in conse-
quence OF this measure to put him s. the subject
down when in fact 1t was the administration
which had arrayed itself against the measure
Yet he stemmed the tide aud the current of
all opposition, aud pefsevered until he sue
ceeded-and il has now become popular. But
was 1T a popular topic at first No indeed,
the very reverse-it threatened his popularity
with destruction. But it is now popular, and
therefore, hlr Clay was hunting after popular
lty as MIR. Giles would have it. How unchar-
liable, to say no more, must that mind be-,
which under such circumstances, seeks for
unworthy motives in the promotion of so glo-
lrious cause?
The Missouri Question-.a Hobby! all the
TnOn-slave holding states were opposed to it
| they had Il ma lority at the time of twenty
eight votes in the House Of Representatives
Yet Mr.. Clay took the side of the minority, in
search of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS the charge-what
folly and Inconsistencies mark such charges.
The Greek cause is another Hobby. A
great majority of the House of Represents
ti,es it seems were opposed to it. Yet Mr.
the sake of popularity-ifit had been deria
ton from his principles avowed in the Spanish
America case, then indeed the charge of in
| conslstence might fe against him.
Tile Tariff, however, 10 the great Hobby
according 10 Mr. Giles---from the Patapsco
to the Balize it is boosted, there is but one
opinion, and that is in opposihpa to the Tariff
NOT only opposed but violently opposed tn
II. Mr.. Clay was before he came into the
Congress the advocate of home industry. He
mas remained SD ever since. And how long
has it been popular ? Not convert has il
from the Patapsco 10 the BdIize according 80
some-and yet according to Mr.. Giles it is a
Hotby to ride into popular favor on. Strange
and Incredible charges If we contrast this
| subject which now so eXcites the souih-with
that of the Missouri Question, which is also
brought up against Mr.. Clay, what will our
reflections upon the part Mr.. Clay acted in
both induce us TO believe? Every candid
mind will allow, that Mr.. Clay has pursued
the dictates of his own Judgment, without re-
gard TO popular views. Was the part he act
ed calculated to conciliate the north on the
Missouri Questien-Or the part he took on
the Tariff the course to win the affections of
the south. But his course on each will exact
| from his worst enemies, the concession of the
purity of his motives.
Mr.. Giles could not, had he been dispos-
ed 10 do justice and speak the convictions
of his sober judgment, have pointed to any
| subjects whatever, from which he could have
so lncOntcstabIy proven the fact, that as A.
merica has never produced any other poIiti-
clan, who upon so many great occasions has
haaarded so much as to found on what was
at the origin of them, the unpopular side of
the question, and all Of y hch have acquired a
popularity, durable, lasting and extending
and hence Mr. Giles is driven to admit one or
two facts-that those measures are intrinsical-
| y right and that Mr. Clay was earlier in dis
covering their merits and was more fearless in
the hazard of his popularity in their pursuit,
than the pulse-feeIing politician. Or, that
these measures are intrinsicalIy wrong THAT is,
the side Mr.. Clay espoused) and that his pow
er and Influence have rendered them popular.
Which will he admit ? not the latter nor yet
the former, for either would be ascribing too
much TO MIR. Clay to be relished by Mr..
Giles. What then Why he must remain
1n1Le--lhal will MT do ..iihnr Rui thnr.. L. -