Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-11
certain statements, which demand explanation


State are alike indebted to each other for Office,
none will deny. have before me printed cir
cslar, issued a short time previous to the late
election of electors, by committee of CORES
pondence appointed by Mr.. Clay's friends in
the Legislature Of Kentucky, in which is the
following strong language. The committee say:
"Whatever may be the language of those
whose policy tits to "divide and conquer" the
people have no interest but in securing an able
faithful, and republican President; and when
convinced, by the maturest investigation and
reflection, that the candidate on whom they
have placed the strongest affections has no fair
prospects of success, they will endeavor to Sc
cure their own interests by resorting to their
second choice. And let them remember, that
after the choice of electors once takes place,
their voice will no more be heard in this con-
test. an. ,ciH be carried By influence and intrigue,
bargain and management. He who has the most
extensive means Of influence and will promise
the most favors, will have the prospect OF sue
cess; and the nation will receive the President,
not from the pure hands of the people, but from
the club Of political managers and intriguers."
"The same committee proceed, to say:
0If he (Mr. Clay should be returned TO the
House Of Representatives, we have little doubt
of his final election with the appreciation and
applause of the nation: but if any untoward cir
cumstances should prevent his being one Of the
three highest, his friends in Congress, by
throwing their weight into the scale OF the
most republican and national candidate, will
have il in their power to defeat the ends of po-
litical management, and see that the republic
sustain no injury
"That this circular was written under the
special Amusement of Mr.. Clay, have no doubt;
and leave it to himself and his friends 10 re-
concile the imputations which they themselves
have made in the quotation given.
Mr.. G. adds:
"Certain it is that Mr.. Clay had not made
up his mind to vote against General Jackson
when he first heard that he was not cone OF the
three highest" for he afterwards, more than
once. called upon General Jackson in person, In
troluced the subject of the election, and said
that he entertained no doubt that he General
Jackson) would be the choice of the House!
This is not ala direct overture was made IN
his behalf first to two members of Congress,
and afterwards to General Jackson; and so hum
BILE were Mr.. Clay's pretensions at that time,
that he would have been content if Gen. Jackson
would have givenmerely pledge that he would
And it was no: until that inHeXible and incor-
rup,ible patriot refused to make any assurance
or promise on the subject Of who would or who
,Coul6 not be his cabinet, that the workings OF
Mr. Clay's conscience produced his celebrated
letter TO Judge Brooke, wherein he found it un-
safe TO elevate "military chieftain" TO the Pre-
sidency. This statement is not made on idle
rumor 1t is vouched for by men whose vera
r bt uhr, he Wi
believe. IF it be true. who can hesitate 10 be-
lieve that the late election was the result Of Sin
trigue, bargain, and management" and who,
that believes this, does not feel the necessity
imposed upon every citizen to examine into
this matter, and be prepared, at the next cleo
ton, to 'throw his weight into the scale of the
feat the ends of political management, and see
that the Republic sustains no injury"
This is the same allegation made by Mr..
Maury but few days ago. We said then, and
we now repeat it:-"This charge ought not to
have been made without proof, and if there be
proof for it, it should be forthcoming We
know that Mr. G. has been lately on a visit to
Tennessee, and other parts of the Western
Country. Now. if Mr. G.. does not rely upon
"idle amor," but if it be "Uouched for by men
whose veracity he cannot doubt, and whom the
nation ,oiU 6eLeUe," we trust that this nation will
be put in possession of the proof. Unless the
accused can have an opportunity of confronting
his accuser, these charges deserve to operate on
the public mind no more than a feathers
weight. 1t is unavailing, and it is wrong to
bring them forward. We therefore call for the
proof"
On the Committee of Correspondence APP
pointed by the Kentucky Legislature 10 promote
Mr.. CLAY's election to the Presidency, were
Messrs. Rowan, Barry, Crittenden, and Boyle.
If that Committee be applied 10, II will contra
dict, in the most express terms, the allegation
that its Circular was written "under the special
advisement of Mr. CAy;" and it will also affirm
that Mr.. CLAY never saw the Circular until 1t
was published in the newspapers, and that he
was never consulted aboutt. We are authorised
to deny, in the most unreserved and emphatic
manner, that "Mr. Clay more than once called
son General Jackson, in person, introduced the
fsubiect of the election, and said that he enter
stained no doubt that he General Jackson)
swould be the choice OF the House, Mr. CLAY
made no visit 70 General Jackson, excep, TO re-
turn the Generals call of ceremony during the
session of S24-25. And we are authorised In
like manner, TO deny tina! any overture was ever
made, direct or indirect, upon the authority, ex-
press or imDied of Mr. CLAY "on his behalf,