Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-08-06

gentlemen of Louisville who honored him
with public mark of their appreciation, will
prove particularly interesting. The facts it
embraces are incontrovertible, and for the
good of our country, cannot be too often re-
peated:
At the dinner lately given TO Mr..
Clay at Louisville, in Kentucky, after
the toast had been given compliments
ry to the Guest
Mr.. CLAY rose, he said, with the
most lively and grateful sensibility, to
make his respectful Acknowledgements
for the flattering sentiment just drank.
Such sentiment, however unmerited
he felt it to be, expressed on such an
occasion any where, would have afford
ed him high qualification. But own,
said he, that, uttered here, with so
much cordially, at the present period,
by so numerous an assembly, compre-
bending so much worth, intelligence,
and responsibility, it gives me mex
pressible satisfaction. 1t is not neces-
sary that should affect ignorance of
the generous allusion, in one of the to-
pics of the toast. l have no self-re-
proaches on account of my agency, on
the occasion which has excited the pre-
judice to which you kindly refer. The
question submitted to my Judgment
was one, the decision &c hich did not
depend upon the pos, bn of military
attainments, however Stat and splen-
did they might hc,,t;aasE, that of quail
i6cations for civil administration. or
the two gentlemen, between whom the
competition chiefly existed, l never
could have doubted, and do not now
doubt, as TO the choice which it became
me to make. If we had been called
upon, in season of war, to designate
a General to conduct our armies to VIC
tory and glory, and had selected the
citizen of Tennessee, in
preference to his late rival, would it not
lave been most unreasonable in any Of
the partizans of the latter to have as
sailed us with reproach and abuse?-
Whilst claimed and exercised the
right to bestow my vote, for my con-
stituents and for my country, accord
ing to the best lights with which was
favored, | equally recognised similar
right in every other member Of the
House of Representatives. l have &C
cused no man, ! have called in ques-
ton the motives of no man, for differ
ing in opinion with me. But / yield to
none in purity of purpose, or in honesty
of pursuit after the public good. In a
country, and under institutions like
ours, where the elective franchise is
happily so greatly extended, and is con-
so often exerted, there ought
to be mutual federation, liberality and
forbearance. The prevalence Of a con-
trary spirit, of spirit of elimination,
denunciation, & abuse, in consequence
of a difference of opinion as to the fit
ness and competency of candidates for
public stations, would produce he most
effects. 1t would perpet-
ually disturb our social harmony at
home, and impair our public character
abroad. Why should have been Sc
lected, because preferred one eminent
citizen to another, as an object of con-
and abuse9 On subsequent
occasion, the unsuccessful candidate,
in the exercise Of his incontestible pri-
vilege to form his own Judgment and
express his own opinion, thought pro-
per to interpose his negative upon the
with which the President,
as the chief executive organ of the
Union, honored me. Doubtless his
vote was the result Of full conviction
that the President was mistaken in
me capable of rendering
him the requisite assistance in his adj
The illustrious Senator
and do not disagree at all on that sub
iect; for he could not have made more
humble estimate Of my abilities than
that which l have formed myself. And
l never have, do not now, and never
shall, complain of the advice which he
gave the President in that instance.
But l will turn from this egotism,
which pray you, gentlemen, to par
don, in consideration Of the injustice
of my assailants. In making up my
Judgment in the House of Representa-
tives, l could not forget the exalted
condition of my country. l could not
conceal from myself that she is the
great Steward of the Human Family,
invested with the most interesting trust
that ever was con6ded to the discre-
ton Of nation. The principal, if not
the exclusive depository OF regulated
and established liberty, the eyes and
the hopes of the friends of free and Ii
beral institutions, from all quarters of
the Universe, are anxiously cast upon
her. 1t is not the short-lived race who
now fill the busy scenes around us-it
is not the present generation that is "a
lone concerned as to the manner in
which we shall fulfil the high duties OF
th,t most tYnportant truct Mo- our