Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-09
From the Lyncii5urg Virginian.
MR.. CLAY, No. 8.

We think that we have redeemed our pledge
IN relation to the vote OF this gentleman. We
think that we have shown, that he vas not bound
BY the instructions Of his constituents TO vote
for Gen Jackson, as they never, In any manner,
indicated preference for either Of the candi-
dates returned to the House of Representatives;
that, even if he had been instructed by his
constituents to vote for particular individual,
those instructions would not have been binding,
because, when the election OF President devoNes
or the House Of Representatives, the members
of that body act in an original, and not In de-
Issated capacity, and consequently, instructions
are constitutienally inoperative;-that, SO lar
since the election, as circumstances have trans
pircd from which an opinion could be formed,
we are compelled to admit that Mr. Clay's vote
for Mr. Adams has met with the warm approx
al of his constituents;-that Mr.. Clay's accep-
lance of the office Of Secretary Of State implies
any thing rather than corrupuoD;-that person.
al considerations compelled him to support MIR.
Adams in preference to Gen. Jackson;-that he
was justified in the course he pursued by the
warning voice Of history, which, "if 1t be phi
losophy teaching by example" ought not to
have uttered its admonitions and precepts In
yain;-and, lastly, that let Mr.. Clay have acted
as he would, no matter for whom he voted,
whether for Mr.. Adams or Gen. Jackson, he
would have laid himself open to the charge OF
corruption and dishonesty 1t would appear to
us, indeed, that nothing would nave been neces-
sarv, in the very first instance, with an Impair
tial mind, determined 10 discard the shaekes
ofpar,y feeling, and to do strict justice without
reference 10 individuals, but TO state these SIM
pie propositions, in order to produce instanta-
neous conviction of the purity OF Mr.. Ciay's
motives, if not of the correctness OF his vote.
Elaborate argument so often obscures what
it attempts to elucidate, that we have more than
once repented the temerity which prompted The
pledge we made 10 defend Mr.. Clay's vote, and
regretted that we had not left his justification,
after plain unvarnished statement Of the Facts,
10 the sober reflection Of the peoples or, at least,
that we had not entrusted his vindication 10
some ADLER and more influential pen. Not be-
cause we were conscious of any unsoundness in
the premises we had assumed, or feared that
truth would be powerless, because Of her unat-
trac:iye garb; but because we became aware, as
we progressed, Of the scantihess of the mate
rails in our possession, necessary to sustain our
Ground as satisfactorily as we could have wished.
I'VE referred frequently to historical facts, for
which we were compelled to rely upon memory
almost entirely, finding it impracticable, on the
sn,r of the moment, to obtain access 10 the re-
cords of those facts. We are satisfied, howe
YER that in no reference Of this character, that
ave have made, have we committed the slight
est error favorable 10 Nj. Clay; BECAUSE where
we were not always sure that we were 'readlne
ON safe ground, we have preferred to permit I'M
portant circumstances to pass unnoticec ra,nel
than incur the possibility of mistake, and ITS
consequent injurious influence. We have, from
the same cause, been induced to bring these
Nos. TO close before We had gone through
with all the points upon which We had intend