Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-05-13
WASHINGTON, 10th April, 1926.
To he Editors OF the Enquirer.

with Mr. Giles as lie has dealt with O.
theirs, by ascribing unworthy motives
to his publications, however much he
may merit 1t. Let the motive be found
in the recpllections of the past or the
anteipations Of the future in the de-
yotion to the country, or tue gratiGca-
ton of q long cherished enmity--he is
welcome to alithe comfort they may add
minister to his reflections, or the l,;sire
they may add to his fame win find
few to envy him either. The only point
| mean to touch on Is that in regard to
MIR. Clay's being popularity hunter
than which, it is believed, a. more un-
merited and unfounded charge was re-
yer made. a
Ii is well known to those who under
stand any thing of public sentiment,
that at the commencement of the late
var-the navy was in all the west ex-
ceedingly unpopular-and upon his first
move in Congress in its favor, lie was
admonished by, fsequeht express
sion from that quarter OF the loss of his
popularity, which he must probably IN
cur by its support Yet Mr. Clay took
most decided and prominent stand ir
its favor, and used his best exertions to
renderit efficient, perceiving the neces-
sity and the benefits of its employment
in the war: and Mr.. Giles viii recoi-
lect, perhaps, that MIR. Pope, then a
senator from Kentucky, then the per-
sonal and political opponent of Mr..
Clay, opposed the navy. The navy
assince became popular--because of
| ITS signal gallantry and success. ais
:. On the subject of internal improve
ment-Mr Clay gave ,inequivocal in
dications of his opinions in support Of
such system the first session that he
4 had seat in the Congress of the Uni-s
| ted States, which was in the session of
fso6-he was then member of the
Senate: to the principles then aVowed,
every proper occasion since has presen-
ted additional testimony in his constant
adherance to the system. Was f,pop-
ular when Mr.. Clay first became its adj
vocatef that's the question. win Mr.
Giles say it was1 Ii he does, the OPP
position it has constantly met with from
many parts of the union, and particu-
larry of the executive department of
Ikhe government, will stand in the army
| against his assertion.
The recognition the independence
of Spanish : America, is another SUBJ
ject charged to be 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 for it. The residue of
the House of Representatives were
opposed to it--.awful. odds--and be-
sides, there were men found, who ers-
ed out, opposition to The misunderstanding
in consequence of this measure. to put
him end the subject down; when in fact
it was the administration when he had
arrayed itself against the measure.
Yet he stemmed the tide and the current
of all opposition, s. persevered until ne
suceeded--and it has now become pop |
ular But was it popular topic at firsta |
No indeed, the very. reverse--it threa-
tened his popularity with destruction.
But it is now popular, and therefore, |
Mr.. Giles would have it. How unchar-
table, to say no more, must that mind
be-. which under such circumstances,
seeks for unworthy motives in the pro-
motion of SO glorious a causes.
The Missori question hobby! all
the nom slaves-holding states were OPP
posed TO it. they had a majority at the
time of twenty eight votes in the House
Of Representatives. Yet Mr.. CLAY
took the side ofthe minority, in search
of poprlarity-that's the charge--what
folly and Inconsistencies mark such
charges. $3.50
The Greek is anotherhobby. : A great
of the house of Representa-
tives il seems were opposed to it. Yet
Mr. Clay espoused it, as Mr.. Giles will
have. it, for the sake of popularity
IL i, bad been deviation from his prin-
ciplessyowed in the Spanish-American
case, then indeed the charge of incon-
sistency might lie against him
The tariff, is the great hohby--ac-
cqrding to Mr. Giles--from the Pa
tapsco to the Balizeit is boasted, that
there is but one opinion, and that is in
opposition to the tarif--not only oppo-
sed, but violently opposed to it. Mr..
Clay was, before he came into the Con-
gress the advocate of home industry.
lie has remained SO ever since. And
how long has il been popular? Nota |