The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1826-06-05
MR.. CLAY. No. |.

IN rtlatIOD 10 tIlt Idte t'esIdenidI ERECTION.
+, this. and few subsequent numbers, W.
.halI endrayor TO redeem that pledge. We
ball not be deferred from our purpose by
,h. imposing front assumed by the Wash
;octon Telegraph" 1.-THE organ of the re-
Gently matured opposition to the al ins.
,,srion) If the editor of that paper. with
III. license Of all the scurrilIity of which he
I. al competent a master, and with all his
,l,ots. land we acknowledge him To be
.uosror to us in both of these respects,
can answer us to the satisfaction of any
r.asonable or caodid mind, we shall be
Asoosed hereafter to place hut little ref
,h,. on the ssundness of our Judgment. g.
q. admit that we are beset with the most
unconquerable prejndices We aware
that but few persons are capable of irnpos-
ing a proper restraint 90 their feelings,
wb,n they become warmly excited IN IA
vor of one individual, or ardenuy eplisted
against another. We have ourselves been
compelled to confess by the force of cir
cumstances, the erroneOusDess Of opini MS
VIZ had formed from sudden impulse of
Seling, and which we had defended with
NH the zeal that honest conviction inspires
Our opinion in relation to Mr.. Clay's CON
auct, however, has not been hastily mad.
up. nor have we expressed conviction OF
hi. integrity, without supplying ourselves
with such reasons as we cannot but think
will prove satisfactory to alrwhe are not in.
Auenced by mortified ambition and pride
BY unconqierable hatred either to Mr.. { lay
or to Mr.. Adams; or by a misanthropc
spirit which vents itself on an within its
reach, bu, more particularly on those who
have attained an eminent station in the
public councils. shall not, in this No.
(which we intend as merely introductory
descend to the specific proofs we design to
bring forward in support Of the position we
baye taken. We shall reserve them for
future occasions. But, as the Washing
ton Telegraph" has declared its deternin-
p
is probable that the Defence and the
Reply will be published in both papers, We
deem it fa,r and Just that we should furnish
our adversary with the points we intend
% make, that he may search the records
for contradictory or rehutting evidence,
and 6nd it, if he can. We shall pursue this
fI,st, "A 1,f, 1
presumptaous tone Of the Telegraph"
would warrant less iDgenuousness. Satisf-
ed of the reasons of its conduct-that it
was merely designed as threat to deter
as from the prosecution of our duty, under
TIE idea that the metropolitan situation OF
that paper, and the consequent reputa-
ton of its editor, would throw Us and our
arguments into the shade,-we shall not
make its own unlairness rule Of our con-
profit by it, and hold up different example
for its future observance.
LIST. We shall argue, that Mr.. Clay was
bound to support Mr.. Adams, even IT the
right ofinStruction be admitted to have
any bearing on the case.
end. We shall contend. that, in case of
the election of President devolving on the
House Of Representatives, that body, and
each individual composing it. acts IN an
original, and not in delegated capacity,
and that consequently instructions are
cons,tutionaIly nulIiied.
Sd. We shall contend, that, even admit
ting the representative Is bound to obey the
Inst uctious of his constituents, in relation
TO Presidential election, Mr.. Clay did
not lay himself open to censure, because
his constituents were silent upon the sub
Jet, if we except the meeting of the peo-
pie of CIdrhe county, by which he was d.
rected to exercise his own discretion
9Th. That the subsequent conduct of
lis constituents, 10 electlng Judge Clark,
who has proved to be friend TO the adj
mnstratiun, as the successor of Mr.. Clay
IN Congress, in opposition to warm
Jacksonian, the election evidently turning
on this point, is evidence conclusive that
the vote Of Mr.. Clay was in accordance
with the wishes of his constituents.
5th. That MIR. Clay's acceptance of the
Office of Secretary of State, does not i'm
ply corruption, but evidently the contrary.
9th. That he would have been more la
BILE to havebeen charged with dishonesty,
and with much more reason, if he had not