Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-07

pose no mans opinion as an infallible guide
yet still maintain, that the opinion OF one o
the most powerful and successful investigator
to be found in the record Of history, is to be re
ceived with great respect. His rule was this
IN solving any phenomenon, employ no more
principles than are necessary to account Tor 1t
This rule is probably extended to.a class OF ca
ses not contemplated by him. Yet man is par
Of nature; and he must be studied like the res
of nature, by observing phenomena. But pre-
vious to the application of this rule, let us ad
vert to the circumstances in which these mer
declare their opinions. A'charge had been made
against Mr.. Clay; he requested an investiga'
ton; committee was appointed, none of whom
were his political friends; they called for facts
and an investigation was. decli ned Ii was the
| duty Of the men who made the charges, 10 sub
stantiate them if they could; and we are per-
fectly aware that they did not want the inciina-
ton. frbsy could have made good the charge
OF corruption, it would have defeated the cleo
ton OF Mr.. Adams. And are these charges
made by men who were friends 10 Mr.. Adams
and Mr.. Clay; and deserted them because they
found them unworthy of confidence? No such
thing. They are made by men, many OF whom,
at least, did not expect the election OF Mr. Clay,
and manifested strong desire through the
whole canvass, to defeat the election of Mr..
Adams.
Permit me now TO state my impre re-
lative TO the character Of Mr. Clay, received
long before the Presidential canvass. DIR. Clay,
as one Of the distinguished men Of the country,
first attracted my attention in 1912. He ap-
peared to me bold and frank in avowing his o.
piniors, utterly despising low cunning, though
possessed OF great address; and disdainins to
carry any iavorite measure, but by an open
manly assault on the stronghold Of the under
standing. In all his conduct, he never inqnir-
ed will this course be popular with this or that
party, or in this or that section of the country;
but does the general welfare require it? Let
facts now show whether this character Of Mr.
ClayiS correctly drawn. Heespoused the South
ern opinions in the Missouri question, though
he knew that he differed from strong mnori-
ty in the Middle and Northern section; he adj
vocated the Tariff, though he knew the South
ern section was decidedly opposed to it; he ad-
vocated construction of the Constitution
known to be s,urdiy opposed by Virginia, and
perhaps BY New-York; he advocated our III
sis,ing on the Rio Bravoas boundary, though
he knew this 10 be contrary to he decision Of
advocated fayorite measure Of Mr.. Webster,
and when it was intimated to him that he was
supporting federal measure, he replied in
substance, if that was federalism. he would
consent to be called federalist. Previous to
the Presidential election, the character OF Mr.
Clay was indisputably high; and it is equally
indsputable thas he gained it dy no mean COM
planes, nor by any intriguing manGuvres.
In the ordinary transactions Of life, men even
Of mixed characters, pause before committing
an action Of extensive and demoralzng conse-
quences; and from the computations OF consci-
ence refrain from H. The smallest reflection
will convince any one, that ii sense OF moralI-
~ is natural and common in the ordinary tran
sactions of Lille, il is much more necessary and
natural, when a man is called upon TO act for
whole nation, and perhaps for posterty. If
then. the character of Mr.. Clay had been mix
ed one, still il would have been natural, if he
had not been hurried away by passion, and even
then it might have occurred, that he should
pause and inquire what principles ought 10 60
vern his conduct. But from the character
which he had sustained, this was to be expect
ed of course. Would it not occur in the first
stage OF his inquiries, that his attention ought
TO be drawn to those whose qualifications rem
der them fit, and out OF these, 10 vote TOR the
most meritorious? Why? Not because the sal
walton, or even welfare of the country depends
on such man; but because one ject of our go
vernment is to call merit into action, which is
but partially effected in despotic and hereditary
governments because the duties of the station
will be likely ito be better discharged; because
it holds out an Involvement 10 virtuous emua-
ton; because before il all sectional differences
vanish; because it tends to cement union; and
because if not acted upon, the tendency is to
give encouragement to intriguing men; men
who are much more ready to seek Offices, than
to qualify themselves properly TO I'LL them. In
pursuing his inquiries, if he had never settled
his principles on ths'subject before, must ii not
have occurred to him, that neither private
Friendship nor private enmity ought to have any
place? Why? Because his duty is to act Tor
his country. and 10 do nothing that shall impair
or tend to impair the integrity Of its institu-
tons. With these principles, (and Mr.. Clay
has most clearly shown that he understood
them) he commences his comparison Of the
qualifications Of the different candidates. And
now ask but one favor, if it can be called such.
Let my statements be compared with facts
There is one event in the life OF Mr.. Adams,
which think has been much misunderstood;
his vote on the embargo law. By this act, in
the opinion Of some, he consummated his de-
sertion Of the federal party; and since he desert
ed his party, he is unworthy OF confidence. l his
is of little consequence; but 1t is right that it
should be fairly understood and fairly repre-
| e