Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-26

The failure Of MIR. Randolph had taught HIM
tina, this could not be done by open hostility 70
Mr.. Clay, or his measures. He, therefore, al
fected 10 be the jealous friend of all those meas
ures which had won for Mr. Clay the favor ana
confidence Of the people. While ne continued
| in Congress, he appeared, on all occasions, as
their strenuous advocate. Subsequent events
have shown that his object was not so H'u =,
the public good. as his own advancement. ire
was a member of the caucus oil 1916, but whelh
er he advocated MIR. Crawford or Mr.. Monroe,
in their memorable contest for nomination, is
unknown 10 rhe writer He was, however, un-
ouestionably pledged TO support ior the rresi-
| dencv the Que who should receive majority
in caucus. and, if he was friendly to Crawford,
was bought ouer; if hostile, he was rewarded by
the appointment of Secretary o. WAR IN
this office he is supposed to have earned the
Presidency, and especially the support OF the
| Western and Southwestern states by his en-
couragement Of internal Improvements, and o.
Their measures, for W hich the nation is Indebted
10 MIR. Clay.
That Mr.. Calhoun had no share in origna-
ting either, is well known, and that his support
of them was hollow pretence, is now ascer-
tanned, by the condition on which he has agreed
10 accept the cooperation of Mr.. Randolph
But the proposition on which Mr.. Calhoun
most pIumed himself was the establishment Of
chain of military posts on the Missouri ex-
tending up to the Yellow Stone; and YET, il is
well known here, that the whole plan originated
with the old Missouri Fur Company, and was
suggested by one Of the partners, an enlerpri-
sing trader, now no more.t
The course pursued by Mr.. Calhoun had so
r IL I'd of
the people, that his political somerset OF 1914
was forgotten by many. 1t was supposed, that
he had turned from the error of his ways, and,
if encouraged, might yet become fearless and
disinterested statesman. The people OF the
west, always generously disposed to foster
young men of genius, and especially those who,
like Mr. Calhoun, profess to have renowned
their evil propensities, accorded TO him warm
| hearted expressions of appreciation, intended as
indictments to perseverance In we'll doing HIS
abilities were acknowledged, and his industry
commended as promising pledges OF J"f"re
greatness and usefulness This was too much
for him Inflated with his own importance, his
vanity pointed out the Presidential chair as now
implicitly within his reach.
The premature zeal Of partsans had present
ed to the nation the question, who should be
the successor of Mr. Monroe? Immediately al
ter the commencement of his second term, Mr..
Adams and Mr.. Crawford were designated as
candidates; but neither were supposed to be
popular in Pennsylvania, the Western or South
western States The expressions of kindness
(intended as encouragement only by the people
of the West toward Mr. Calhoun, were eagerly
converted by him into pledge OF support tor
any Office he might seek, and. TO the utter asto-
- l. loc ho
candidate for the Presidency. press was es-
tablished at Washington at an enormous ex-
pense Many thousand papers were sent gratis
into every part of the Union, full OF high-wrought
encomiums on the Secretary of War, and Ca
umnies against the Secretary Of the Treasury,
CMr. Crawford whose popularity IN the South,
it was thought necessary 10 destroy. Every
art was 3ractised TO gain Pennsylvania and the
western States, without avail The Western
people spontaneously presented 10 the nation
the CLASPS Of that distinguished statesman, Mr..
ClaH ~ NE same Office, and they could not be
inSlced 10 abandon their earliest and best friend
for the qualification Of young aspirant, OF eqni-
vocal politics aud unsettled principles. i his
Of preference for MIR. {. immediate
ly brought upon him the vengeiul Ire OF Mr
Calhoun, (hitherto concealed from motives OF
DOllCy.) Presses were SupSluiZ'u WI
Western State to traduce Mr. Clay, and the la
borers were worthy of the cause.
Some Of them were even so indiscreet as to
charge il upon Mr.. Clay, as crime, that he
voted for the establishment of the y 5. Bank,
when i, was known 10 the whole nation that Mr..
Calhoun was himselfthe most Jealous advocate
of the measure then in Congress. Mr.. Calhoun,
at length, convinced tina: he could not obtain
the support Of single Western eeclor, took
himself to his old plan Of producing division,
and succeeded. General Jackson was nominat-
ed by Tennessee, and divided the West, I'm
luckily, Pennsylvania, the strong hold OF Mr.
Calhoun. Immediately forsook him, and, second
ing Tennessee, became the most clamorous tor
the election Of the General Fooled in all his
efforts, he began TO make preparations Tor Sc
curing his retreat. He first proposed a coali-
ton with MIR Adams, and his friends, and was
rejected. After several other experiments, as a
last resource, he united with Jackson, and by
that means contrivcd to aff1ict this nation as
Vice President This Office, however, does not
fill the measure Of his ambition, or equal his
own estimate of his claims. He evidently Still
labors under the same deluson which first urg
ed him TO become a candidate. He still be-
4 I,,nN $50, date