Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-26
From the Missouri Republican.
TORCH LIGHTING. /.


TORCH Lighting. l.
To observers Of passing events, 1t must be
apparent, that the opposition organized al
Washington last winter, under the auspices oil
Messrs randolph and Calhoun, is more imme-
diateiy directed against Mr. Clay than Mr. Ad-
ans. They would gladly, indeed, destroy the
confidence Of the people in both, crush their
future homes if they could; but if they must fail
in either. they would prefer the sacrifice of the
Secretary. This is manifest, both from the ma
terials which compose that most extraordinary
combination, and the measures they have Sc
lected for their attack.
Al the accession of Mr. Jefferson to the Pres
idency, MIR Randolph was the pet OF the nation.
No man in the Union, al that time, possessed
brighter prospects. Though young, he was
considered as one Of the leading champions OF
the democratic party In the great struggle
which then agitated the nation, he performed
conspicuous part, and acquired no little re-
nown for his active and efficient vices, espe-
cially in the election of Mr.. Jefferson; but his
career of usefulness was as short-lived as 1t was
brilliant llewished to be REGARDED as the OPP
position phrase) by the appointment OF minis
ter 10 England, and was disappointed. His
mortified ambition Immediately manifested IT.
self in violent and incorporate hostility 10 the
personal popularity, he hoped to draw into the
opposition a great portion of the republican
party, and thereby force MIR. Jefferson into a
qualification of his ambition. Failing in this,
he turned his wrath against the whole party, *
il has continued ever since, marked by no 9th
er change than increasing vlrulence. He Tell
as suddenly as he had risen, and be Tell to rise
nomore Disappointed himself, he acknowl-
edges no claim in any other, to that distinction
once within his reach, and which he still covets.
Claiming to be the first man in the nation, he
renouncss all political connexion with parties
or men, who do not acknowledge, as iunda-
mental article oftheir faith, his lntalhoillty,
his right 10 dictate to, and control them, In al'
cases whatsoever Hitherto defeated IN every
effort TO form party Of his own, he has stood
wall alone, waging war ofpoiitcal ex-
alton against all men enjoying the con-
Of the nation, or rising 10 political dis
In. From the first moment, therefore,
MIR Clay appeared in public life, and ex-
ted TO the world the powers OF his mighty
Id, he became the peculiar mark OF Mr..
\Andolph's hostility; he was treated as usurp-
er of place belonging exclusively to Mr.. Ran
dolph; his political course Was assalled as the
means al once to destroy him, and restoring his
!, as,ailant to the confidence Of the nation But
10 his utter discontinue, Mr.. Clay was sup
nor ed bv the whole democratic party, and cow
cred himself with unfading glory, as the authSf
and advocate oil those measures which have
conducted this nation 10 her present enviabe
condition. Fooled in every attack, MIR. Ran
doiph forget the dignity OF the station be held,
and attempted, in the Capitol OF the Nation, to
.ridieule both Mr.. Clay aud the people, whose
confidence he enjoyed by sneering at his origin
and literary attainnents; but again the illus
no from
nothing but ignorance and poverty" the archi-
tect OF his own fortune and fame, obtained a
signal triumph He has not been, he never
will be forgiven He that has injured another
without provocation, is always the most per-
severng and unrelenting enemy
The restless oyerweening ambition of the
Vice President has manifested itself on many
occasions From the moment he Came into
Congress, his chief study appears 10 have been
to elevate himself; and his talents, .conieSsedly
great. have been exerted accordingly. ne
highest place in the favor Of the Democratic
party was occupied by Mr.. Clay; and Mr.. Cal
boun's exalted opinion of himself would not
permit him TO accept any other o remove
MIR Clay, or TO divide the party by exciting
disconirnts and uniting with the Federalists,
was the only means of attaining his object
Mr. RandoIph's frequent failures in attempting
the first, admonshed him TO adopt the iatter-
Accordingly, in the winter of !8l4-l5, (whie
Mr.. Clay was absent in Europe,) he made his
grand effort For while, every thing seemed
TO accommodate itself TO his wishes; few OF
the Democratic members, disahected by his
means towards the Administration, enlisted UNI
der his standard, and the Federalists, then a
formidable minority, apparently co-operated,
supposing that he had thus secured majority
in he House of Representatives, he at once as
.umed the port and Tone of political leader,
high in the confidence of powerful party, but,
unhappily, the result too soon dissipated all his
visionary hopes On the final vote, the FEEDER
alists deserted him in body, leaving only
him and some half dozen of his personal friends
to coptlole with each other over the RUNS oil his
fallen greatness They had co-operated with
him only fot the purpose of defeating an I'M
portant measure Of the Administration, and
having effected it, they left him PROSTATE, TO de-
termlue, al his leisure, who had been the dupe,
he or they