Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-04-14
aSeEtDesuoegD 1ga ssem,
FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL IA. l826.
A. & b.

our last conversation?
Yes; Mr.. Clay has been forced to turn and roll back
the war on his enemies. The latitude of Debate so i'm
properly, and so unaccounably allowed by the Pres
dent of the Senate has led to consequences which had
they proved fatal TO either of the parties, would have
been visited by the nation on him. who thus ndirec y
ana IN violation OF Parliamentary rule, produced them
The extraordinary nature of the speeches which have
oeen delivered this session of Congress in the Senate
of the United States is yet very imperfecy understood
by the public But few, and they, the least outrageous
nave oeen publishedard even in that have been
published, the more personal and offensive parts have
been wisely expunged by the Washington Editors. 1t
requires one 10 and to hear, to form just idea OF
the unheard of course that has been pursued in Debate
Chiefly by MIR. *. Had the wise, venerable and pa
trlohc George Clinton presided in the Senate these
things had not BEEN The Nation Justly punished by
the wounds inflicted on its dignity, for placing the
VICE Presidency man either unable unwilling to do
his duty-who either wants the frmness 10 act his
functions or deferred by the apprehension that by do
ing So his darling schemes of ambition may be retarded
or frustrated When before, it known, that
Senators OF the United States would speak, what editors
of newspapers would not publish?
| What do you think of the duel itself?
think that throughout, has been honorable to
both parties In giving the challenge, Mr. Clay was
JUSTIFIED by necessity, urgent and extreme. In ac
cepiing IT. Mr. II. has proved himself man of honour
and courage On ground, the parties acted the
coolest presence OF mind, and the creates! magnanmi-
ty. When Mr. RS pistol accidentally went off, Mr..
Clay was the hrst TO proclaim it accident Could
there be stronger evidence of entire self posses
sion, and of generous magnannity? The change
OF settled and declared purpose which this accident
produced IN Mr. r. proves that ne was equally self
possessed prompt and equal to reason on crcumstan-
ces
But do not understand, why it is, that having de-
ernined not TO fire at Mr.. Clay BEFORE this accident
should have changed Mr.. RS purpose?
HIS was his rcason-Unless the inference was dis
proved IN some way, the malicious might have said
that the pistol had gone off from the want of power TO
controu Tin short from agitaiion of the nerves. pro
duced by ear-lIc could only entirely disprove this
inference, by actually firing at Mr. Clay for with all
men 'o feel as men ought TO feel ii requires as great
an effort to aim and fire at another with view TO tai
his lie, as to stand firm and erect, and be fired at by
that other with similar intent. BY firing at MIR.
Gay MT. H. gave both proofs of Courage-Ead lie
simply stood still and fred in the air, e had given only
one-and that in my judgment the weakest, being a
passive, instead OF an active proof Supeaction from
iear' might enable man To give the evidence oil
courage Now as in these affairs of honour the par
ueS go FIRST and last for the reputation of bravery
Hlr. KS second determination necessary-though
had The result been differentiated lie killed AR. Clay
lie would never have ceased TO the accident and
l., The CODE which had imposed on him the necessity oil
making widow and orphans, and himself wretch for
life
In what relation these gentlemen to stand to
each other III future?-What will be the effect of the
reconciliation, which subdued by each others gallant
department on the field, they spontaneously and stimuli
> taneously advanced TO offer and to 1eceives
That time must tclI-But should suppose that tley
will stand in relation of entire cyilty if not of friend
ship TO each other Shaking of hands, is retraction
Of all pre- existing cause of personal ofrnce-an ac-
acknowledgement on the part of the aggressor that his
aggression was unmeited-on the part of the ageressee
that that aggression is satisfied and ended-a declara
ton 10 the world the part of EACH that the other is
an equal and gentleman.
No other construction can be put on the act and
whilst OF course, will have bearing on Mr. RS DO
tical course, it will bis personal course toward MI
Clay. 1t has placed Mr.. Clay on the most command
ing emnence Dsregarding the inferior partizans al
ready sufficiently humiated by the disapprobation to
which their violent and ungeneros denuncations have
exposed them with the public, he has selected for his
adversary, the nobest of the hostile ranks-te man
admired throughout the Anglo Saxon world, in despite
of his peryerses and eccentrcites-bis equal or any
mans equalthe Agamemnon of the turbulent Greeks
seeking TO sack the Constitutional Goyernmeat-not
for Helen, but for Prian's Treasures and Empire
Assaed by many, Mr.. Clay had right to pick his
man, and avoiding Therses, he has chosen ono his
equal Tic incidents the field, the denoucment. the
constructive acknowledgment of Mr. Randolph that he
had done him injustice, will the Liberal impress
SIGNS that portion Of the Public has entertained and
elevate him sighess distance above his vulgar assaI
ants.
G.. & D.
!. Have you ever heard Mr.. McDuffo Of S. Carolina
speaL2