Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-05-03


neople, is enough to satisiy me that the
prejudice which was thereby sought to
he produced, has availed but little. This
is sufficient for mel entertain deep
and heartfelt gratitude to my country tor
the confidence which she has manifested
towards me, leaving TO prej1dicea minds
whatever they can make OF the epnhet
F." Military Chief ain"
1t is for ingenuity greater than mine
10 conceive what idea was intended to be
conveyed by the term. Il is very true,
that early in life, even in the days oil my
boyhood, l contributed my mite 10 shake
of The yoke Of tyranny, and 10 build up
the fabric OF free government And
when lately our country was involved III
war, bearing then the commission OF
Major General of Militia in Tonnes
see, made an appeal 10 The patriotism
OF the citizens Of The west, when 5000
went with me 10 the field TO support her
Eagles. II this constitute me Mill
,ary Chieilain," am one. Aided by ,he
patriotism Of The western people and an
indu gent Providence, 1t was my good
fortune 10 protect our frontier border
from the savages, and successfully to de-
lend an important and vulnerable point
of our Union. Our lives were risk cd
! priv atoms endured, and sacrifices made
and-if Mr. Clay pleases, martial law de-
| clared~-not with any view OF personal
aggrandizement, but for the presepva-
ton OF all and every thing that was dear
aud valuable--the honor, the safety and
glory OF our country! Does this const-
tute the character Of =" Military Chief
tain :" And are all our brave men III
war, who 90 forth to defend their rights
aud the rights otthe country, 10 be term
ed Military Chief,ains," aud denounc
ed therefor! Ii SO, the tendency OF such
doctrine may be, to arreai the ardei
OF useful and brave ,nen in future times
OF need and peril, with me it will make
no difference, for nay county al war,
would aid, assist and defend her, let the
consequences TO myself be wha! they
might,
have, as you very well know, been
charged by some Of the designing poll
tIcians OF this country with taking bold
and high.handed neasure bul, as they
were not designed for any benefit TO my
self, should hot, under similar cifcum
stances, refrain from course equally
! bold. That man, who, in times OF diff
Guilty and Danger, shall halt at any
course necessary 10 M .ntain the rights
and privileges and independence Ut his
country, is unsulted 10 authority. And
| if these opinions and sentiments shall
| eptille me TO the uamie and character Ci
a.. Military Chieltain,'' am content 10
be SO consideIed--- satisfied too, that Mr..
| Clay, it he pieases, shalt give that as the
reason, to the cIt:1ars 81 the vSss, why,
| in his opinion, merited neither lis nor
their confidence.
| Mi, Clay has never yet risked him
self for his country. He has never ia
crlhced his leposa, nor made an effort &c
repel an invading Toe Of course :. his
Conscience" assured SIM i, was altoge-
ther wrong IN any oiher nan to lead his
countrymcn 10 battle and victory. He
vino fghss, and fights successfully, mus,
I according 10 his standard, be held up as
a Military CnIcitain." Eyen Wash
| lnBton, could he appear again among US,
| might be SO considered, because he dar-
cd 10 be ,utuous and successful sol
dler--a correct man, and an honest
statesman. ii IS only when oveltaken
| by disaster and deieat, thai any man is
| TO be corsilcred sale politician aud al
| corieCl atatestaan. a-s-
| Defeat rRisht, 10 be sure, have brought
wllh it ON benttit; it i4lisll enabled me
10 escape the Dollce and aninadversions
oil MIR. Clay. But Considering that by
all opposite result, my country has been
somewhat benefited, ltalhei prefer II,
even with the oppro brium and ocnsure
which he seems disposed to extend TO.
wards me. 10 hits, thank God, ana
no wise Responsible. Ihe,e is purer
trlbunal, 10 which / would in prefer
ence refer myselt--to HE Judgment OF
an enlightened, patriotic, and uncorrupt-
cd people. 10 that tribunal ! would
rather appeal, whence is derived what.
ever oi reputation either he or may pcs
.ess. BY a reference there, il will bt as.
cerained thai did not solicit the oiIice
OF President; 1t was the frank and Hat
tering call of the (reemen OF this cuun-
try, not mine, which placed my name
before the nation. When they iaIicd IN
,hcir, colleges TO make choice, 10 one
beheld me seeking through art GU ma
naBemeit, TO entice any Representative
IN Congress from a Conscientious re.
I ~.