Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-09-03
From sAe National Journal Of august 4.

The Louisville Morning Post, OF the
10Th uli. contains sketch of the address
OF Mr., Clay, al The public dinner given
TO him at that place. We make the
following eXlrae, in relation to the reasons
which influenced Mir. Clay in giving his
vote on the Presidential election; and
also as containing his views of the mo-
yves which induced General jackson to
vote against him, when dominated by the
President 10 Gil the Office which he now
holds.
:" / have no self-reproaches, on &C
count OF my agency on the occasion
which has excited the prejudice 10 which
you kindly refer. The question submit
led TO my judgment was one, the deci-
sion OF which Gid not depend npon the
possession OF military attainmcnls, how
ever great and spendid they might be,
but on that oil qualifications Tor civil ad-
mlnlstraion. Oh The two gentlemen, be-
tween whom the competition Chiefly exist
ed, never could have doubled. and do
mol now doubt, as to the choice which il
became me 10 make. II We Lad been
called upon, in season OF war, 10 desg-
nate general to conduct our armies to
victory aud glory, and had selected the
distinguished citizen OF Tennessee, III
preference 10 his late rival, would il not
have been most Unreasonable in any oil
The partisans of the latter, 10 have sssail-
ed US with reproach and abuse Whilst
i claimed and exercised the right 10 be-
stow my vote, Tor my constituents and
for my country, according TO tie best
lights with which was favored, equal
y recos nised similar right 10 every
other member of The House OF Repre-
septativcs. | have accused no mah,
have called in question the motives o. no
man for differing in opinion with me
But ! yield to none in purity Of purpose,
II in honesty OF pursuit after tie public
good. In country, and under ioslitu-
tons like ours, where the elective fran
chise is happily SO greatly extended,
and is consequently SO often exerted,
there ought to be mutual federation, IL
beraiiy, and torbearance. The preva-
'ence of contrary spirit, of spirit oil
elimination, denuncialiou, and abuse, in
consequence Of a difference Of opinion as
TO the fitness and competency c! candi-
dates for public stations, would produce
the most mischievous effects. L would
perpetually disturb our social harmony
Al home, and impair our public charac-
Ter abroad. Why should have been
selected, because preferred one eui-
nent citizen to another, as nD object OF
condemnation and abuse! On suisse
| quent occasion, the Unsuccessful candi.
date, in tie exercise OF his inconies,", !e
privilege TO form his own judgment aud
express his own opinion, thought proper
to interpose his negative upon the noni.
nation with which the President, as the
chief executive organ Of the Union, bo-
nored me. Doubtless his vote was the
result Of full conviction that the presi.
dent was mistaken, in supposing me Ca
pab'e OF rendering him the requisite IS
sistance in his administration. The Illus
trious Senator and | do not disagree al
all on that subject; for he could not hav c
made more humble estimate oil nv abb
lIlles, than that which have formed my.
self. And ] never have, do not nov,
and never shall, complain of the advice
which he gave the President in that in
s,ance."