Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-06-27

rudiments Of the science. II such be the char.
acier which the pacific policy OF the people OF
the United States would tell them 10 select,
we confess that we are grossly deceired.-But,
to return to Mr.. Clay.
OF those who are not disposed 10 condemn
Mr.. Clay, merely because OF the cry OIL eo9."io"'
but who think they see some evidence Oh cor
rup,ion in the acceptance by Mr.. y. oil the OIL
flee of Secretary of State, we confess we have
some homes They show Willingness to listen
N aroument and reason, and not to condemn
without reflection. To this class OF Mr.. Clay's
onnonents. we would remark, that so Tar from
his acceptance Of this Office being against him
Il is with us, an evidence, "clear as noon day,
If his honesty. Let it be recollected that, when
MIR. CLAY accepted this appointment, he filled
an Office, which, when we consider the high i'm
portance it had acquired from his able perform.
ance of its du,ies-from the peculiar nature OF
MIR. Claws talents-and the opportunities IL
gave him Of bringing himself more frequently
before the nation, and always in such manner
if he chose, as TO render himself popular-was
one infinitely more preferable than that to which
he was transferred. In his capacity OF Speak
err of the House of Representatives, he could ell
Their keep himself obscured, in great measure,
from the public view, or he could continually
keep the public eye fixed on his conduct He
could have selected occasions and themes tor
argument, calculated TO attract attention, and
enlist popular feeling. He could have suited
mis- conduct at all times 10 the emergencies
which might have arisen, and "bought golden
opinions" by the duplicity, which his enemies
say he possesses. In the Office which he ac-
cepted, Instead of possessing enc Of these ad'
vantages, he is in situation daily to encounter
more Of the public odium Whatever measure
of the administration is deemed reprehensble
by the immoculdtes, Mr.. Clay comes in for his
full share of the censure; and in some instances
his shoulders nave been made to bear the whole
burthen. The Panama Mission was said to be
the favorte child of his brain; * the opposition IN
& out ofCongress, have been pleased 10 denount
it, because il is an American system, and IN con-
tradistinction to the Holy Alliance of Europe
If Mr. Clay is the parent of the project, he de-
serves, and pos,erity will accord TO him undy
ing nraise With the advantages, then, he
would have possessed as Speaker OF the House
of Representatives, and with the disadvantages
he has encountered in accepting the office OF
Secretary Of Stare-attempted, before hand, to
be deferred from accepting the SecrelarryshiP by
the cry Of corruption, which was used thus early
to forestall public opinion-with these facts
staring him in the face, in pursuing, unmovcd,
The dictates of his Judgment, Mr. Clay has
shown two things; lst, that he was honest IN
his vote; aud 2dly, that he listened with mdil,
ference and contempt to the dennnclatlons and
abuse of his enemies. If he had acted differ
emily and had remained Sneaker would not the
faction have taken another scent? Would they
not have said, that Mr.. Clay was afraid to &C
cent, although he had earned, the reward OF his
iniqui,y? This, and hundred other ca!um,
MES of the same sort, would have been invented
and promulgated. Under these circumstances,
knowing, that, act as he would, ingenuity would
pervert, and malice would blacken his conduct,
he resolved to pursue that course, which In all
situations, will be found to be least exception
able-one Of fearless, honest independence