The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-12-06
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THE NIRGINIAN.
THE NlRGINIAN.
LYNCHBURG. DECEMBER d, 1927.
MR.. SENATOR BENTON

Mr.. CLAY. II will be recollected that one or III.
principal reasons which have been addnced as
ground for making the charge OF corruption in
the last Presidential election against Nh CLAW,
was, that he had studously concealed his opini.
ons on the subject until late in January. and g.
pecIally until aiier he had asceriancd. tb,ooob
the agency OF Messrs. Marley and Buchanan
Gen Jackson. All the individuals who hsye
appeared before the public as witnesses in the
matter, Gen. Jackson. Mr. Eaton, and MIR. l.
sacks have laid great stress on the fact, that
ne conversation between the General and Mr.
Buchanan, which the former distorted into an
offer liom Mr.. Clay to give him his support and
influence on certain conditions, which were in
dignantly rejected, was held early in January,
and that, day or two after (1n,endo. it had
been reported 10 Mr.. CLAY that Gen jackson
would not commit HIMSELF Nh c, made a pub.
lie avowal OF his intention 20 0rer 10 Mr. Ad-
ANS, horse, foot and dragons" Taking the
cue from these witnesses, the presses devoted 10
Gen. Jackson have ever since teemed with com
mcnts on this circumstance, which, bv the way,
even il II were true, we conceive. to be wholly
unimportaut. Mr.. Clay had certainly as much
right to wrap himself up in profound mystic
ry' as any other member of Congress land il is
well known. that, one of them at least. (Mr
Van Rensselaer,, of New-Yorlt,) upon whose
vote depended that of the State he represented,
he, ,I,o e
been uttered. concealed the fact of his intentions
until the very moment he called on 10 dcpo-
SIT his ballot. Why has he not been charged with
corruption He voted for Mr. Adams and hi.
as it more eflectua than Mr. Claws The
reason is obvious Because, he stands in no
mans road TO office. Unambious and unobtr,.
sive, even il his talents were that order ecner.
ally deemed to be requisite for the highest offices
OF government. he rather courts retirement than
official distinction He cannot therefore, or
will not. nip any mans ambitious hopes in the
bud. But Mr. Clay is amhitious-honorably
ambitious Of advancing his own fame, whilst he
serves his country and his abilities are of that
commanding cast which must brow the MAJOR.
" ofhs competitors into the shade. This fact,
however it may form an objection to his eleva-
ton with those who are an, ious to iil his place
ought surely to constitute strong claim TO fav
Al Oh the people. from the mass of whom he
sprung and 10 whose penetration in discovering
aud liberaIity in fostering his early genius, he
and his country owe all thar he has achieved of
fame for both.
" When men aspire,
lis but spark too much of heavenly fire ="
ifthcir aspirations ne directed by pure motives
aud be productive of honorable and patriotic
deeds. And whose course has been more distin-
guishcd by tina, conspicuous characteristic of
purity of motive. honest frankness and open
ness OF purpose than Mr. CIay's7 Whose pull
ic life has beeu marked b, stricter adherence
TO honor, aud a more devoted love of county
We risk nothing in saying, that for all the pur-
poses which render ambition blessing rather
than curse TO mankind, Mr. Clay has very few
equals and no superiors among the active polid-
clan, of the day.
We cannot close these ne marks, without inlllc-
ting some little censure on Mr.. Benton for thus
long Withholding his testimony on point which
however nnimportant in itself has been urged
rs strong evidence of Mr. CLAWS guilt of the
charge of corruption. which is so rapidly melting
away before the light oflruth. 1t Will lie seen
that, so far from Mr. Cays having preserved a
my Sterious silence as to his intended vote until LATE
in january, as asserted b, Gea Jackson aud
hl"Ssrs. Eaton aud Isaacks, and until Gen.
Jackson conversation with Mr. Buchanan, he
had, 50 early as the 18th OF December, nearly
three weeks even before Mr.. MarkIey is alleged
20 have had any agency in the affair, explicitly
stated To senator Benton that he should vote for
Mr.. Adams. Why Mr. E. has himself thus
long chosen to be silent, he best knows. Per-
haps, as this " wrapping up ones self in pro-
found mystery" is such strong presumptive evi-
dcncr OF guilt, the Senator's word may be doubt.
ed lay those who have long upheld him, aud
the idea may he sent abroad by them that he,
too. has been bought by the offer of some more
elevated post than that which he now fills, and
that even the members Of the pure and incor-
ruptible opposition" are not msensible TO the
nutritious qualities of Treasury pap. One thing
Of two must be done Either those who have
fefe,red To the fact which Nr. Benton denies, as
furnishing one ofthe most mcontestible eviden-
cirS of Mr., Claws guilt, must attempt to discred-
Z MIR. Benton, or they must acknowledge their
error, aud the error Of those who first made the
assertion. We believe. however, that strong
is their determination 10 believe Nh. Clay gull
=, as well rs their faith in the immaculate puri-
" aud the inlalibiily ofthe Hero.TTsrmH, that
they will adopt the former alternative. We
shah feel no sympathy for the Senator, if they
should effect this object One ofthe leaders of
thai opposition which has been so unsParing in