The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1825-03-15

- -, So. No"IIhsslon OF Maj.
oe"eral OF militis, in Tennessee. '!o'
an appeal 10 the patriotism of the cir aaae
81 'he west, when 5000 went with ~,
lhe heiu 10 support her Eagles. n -. u
constitute me "a military eh,eltai, 81 'a'.
one. Aided by the patriotism oC u,' II an
ern people aud an ind ,lsent prov,s.''st
was my good fortune 10 protect ON, e.. y
tier border from the Savages, and s,,. .oa
fully to defend arr important and ,,Js
bic point of our Union. Our E,o. a
F, r,krd, privafions endured, and s,c.,s
made-and, if Mr.. Clay pleases. n ,,nt's ,
la" declared-not with any view of -, In
sonai ssrandizement, but for the ~ r'
WALTON OF all and every thing that vas -
and vHiuabe-the honor, the saf.ty
glory OF our country! Does this coa a.'
tute the character of a " military chieftaia:,,
Aud are all our brave men in war. VII.
forth To- defend their rights and ,b, -
of the country, to be termed " ;la'9
chieftains,' and denounced thereof,
so, the tendency Of such doctrine ma, H.
to arrest the ardor Of useful and brave NO. ~
in future times of need aud peril. ~
me, it will make no difference Far ~
country at war, would aid, ass,., "'y
defend her, let the consequences to M.
be what they might. IT"
| have, rs you very well know b...
charged by some ofthe designing, mir.
clans of this country, with taking bold ,,s
high handed measures but. as ,hey va,.
not designed for any benefit TO myself I
should not. under similar circumstance,
refrain from course equally bold. Tina,
man who, in tunes of difficulty and dance
shall halt al any course necessary TO main
tain the rights, and privileges, and ind, p,n
deuce OF his country, is unsuitsd to an,
thor'ty. And If these opinions and SENT
ments shall enlitle me to the name g. cha,
acter of "military chieftain," am con
tent To be 80 consdered-sstis6ed, toe.
that Mr.. Clay, if he pleases, shall give tina,
AS the reason To the citizens Of the West.
why, in his opinion, neither merited his
nor their confidence.
Mr. Clay has never yet rsked himself
for his country. He has never sacrificed
his rtpose, nor made an effort 10 repei an
invading foe Of course a. his conscience"
assured him il was altogether wrong in any
other man To lead his conntrymen TO bat
tic and victory. He who fights, and fights
successfully, must, according TO his stand
ard, he held up as " military chieftain." Z
ven Washington, could he appear again
mong us, might bc so considered, because
he dared 10 be 'irtuous and succe,sil
soidler--a correct man, and an honest
statesman. |, is only when overtaken BY
disaster and defeat, that any man Ia to b.
considered safe politician and . correc,
statesman.
Defeat might, to be sure, have brought
with it one benefit: il might have enabled
me to escape the notice and animadypt
slons Of Mr.. Clay but, considering thai
by an opposite result, my country has been
somewhat benefited, rather prefer it, c
ven with the opprobrum and censure
which he seems disposed to extend 10
wards me-. TO him, thank God, am 10
no wise responsible. There is a pures
tribunal to which would in preference re
fer myself--to the judgement OF an en-
lightened, patriotic, and interrupted PEG
pie. To that tribunal would rather ap
peal, whence is derived " hateyer OF repa
tation either he or may possess. By a
reference, there, it will he ascertained that
did not solicit the office of President; Il
was the frank and hattering call Of the fee
men of this country, not NINE, winch
placed my name before the nation. When
they failed in their colleges to make
choice, no one beheld me seeking, through
art or manage ment, TO entice any Repre
sentative in Congress from CONSCIENTIOUS
responsibility to his own, or the WISHES u
his constituents. No midnight taper burnt
by me no secret conclases were held
nor cabals entered into, TO persuade any
one to violation of pledges given, OF oil
instructions received. BY me no plans
were concerted to impair the pure, prnG
pies ofour republican Institutions nor to
PROSTATE that fundamental maxim which
maintains the supremacy Of the people,
will. On the contrary, having never, IN
any manner, either before the people u
Congress, intertered in the slightest de
gree with the question. my conscience
stands void of offence. and will 60 quietly
with me, regardless of the INSTITUTIONS Of
those who, through management, may
seek an influence not sanctioned by inteSr
~ and merit.
Demagogues, am persuaded, have, IN
times past, done more injury to the cause
Of freedom, and the rights of ,nan, than
yer didl a military chieftain ; and IN gu,
country, at least in times of peace, 'hou'o
be much more feared. have seen soma
thing ofthis in my march through HE ana
have seen soma men too making me ooi'
est professions, who were more inuuenete
by selfish views and considerations, Tran
ever they were by the workings Oh al
honest conscience.
| became soldier for the good OF my
country difficulties met me at every s''f,
but thank God, it was my good lo'''"'
10 surmuunt them.
The war over, and peace restored, We
tired to my farm to private htr' "helt' Y ~.
for the cali received TO the SENATE " n
Uuion, Ishould have conlenledly rern''''a
| have never sought office or power II"