Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-30


the House was long known and had been con-
sidered greater than that of any other member
Ian influence deriyed from his splendid abili-
ties, his long standing as member, his engae
ing department towards every body land his a.
BILE and satisfactory discharge of the Office OF
Sneaker, II was doubtful who would be elect,
ed by the House-Mr Clay being known to ad,
yocare Mr.. Adams election, and Mr. Adams
being elected on the first ballot, it was immed.
ately imputed 10 Mr.. C!ay's influence, and it
was then most unworthily and unwarranlablv
asserted by some, who were smarling undes
disappointment, that this result was owing to
corrupt understanding between them. When
MIR. Adams, in forming his cabinet, nominated
Mr.. Clay as Secretary OF State, and the Senate
"advised and consented to it," then The story
was rounded of, and it was agreed by Opposi.
ton that the appointment Of Secretary OF State
should be considered as toe "wages OF sim
thus impuiing 10 majority OF Me Senate Ct
the United States, who were present Throughout,
the whole transaction and who were Intimately
conversanI with all the circumstances, DELHI
crate participation in the corruption by sad
vising and conserving" TO the nominalion-anG
large portion of that majority too are now OF
The present Opposition.
If the speech Of Mr.. Clay in 1919 arraisn.
ing Gen. Jackson's conduct is referred to, j, is
believed tina, no unprecedented man would ever
suppose after that, that he could have been il.
duced 10 vote for General Jackson as the chief
Magistrate ofthc country. Nor is3there any
fair grounds 10 believe that he supported M
Adams from personal motives OF any sort, bet
from conviction, such as influences ourselves
that he was obviously and decidedly the best
qualified man, and as such, he was compelled
by dlly TO vote for him.
As little do we believe that Mr. Adams nom
mated Mr.. Clay to the Senate as Secretary Of
State from personal attachment or obligation;
but knowing that no man in this country had
passed through more brilliant public course
for the last twenty years than MIR. Clay, in
which he had acquired great popularity and c,
WINGED Syatesmanlkc ability that classed him
in the foremost rank of American Statesmen, il
is fair to conclude, that Mr.. Adams was gov.
erned by the established reputation of Mr.. Clay
and the public sentiment towards him, and thar
he very properly desired both his services and
his fame TO give their usefulness and lusire TO
his Administration. II was not necessary for
Mr.. Clay to have bargain or understanding
with any Of thcm-he was conscious, and the
world knew full well, that whichsocver cand.
date he supported, il he succeeded, would call
him to the station Of Secretary Of State as a
tribute to his merit, and as powerful aid 10
the Administration.
Had Mr.. Clay been an ordinary or subalern
man who could have been managed, and who
had been thus elevated to station for which
he was unfit, then indeed there might have
been some pausibility in the story OF "bar-
ean''-But II. his conceded distinction as a
Statesman jusli6ably commanded the appoint
ment, we ought to distrust both the reasoning
and the conjecture that implied the belief OF
stipulated reward. We disdain all such sup
positions imputations to accomplish ends
and with this plain narrative Of facts we meet
the conjectural and gratuitous positions Of the
Opposition.
Next, Mr. Adams appointments to Office
are harshIy censured to bring him into disre-
pute. On this point, SO delicate in its nature,
many reason either with a morbid or with a
wounded sensibilty, whilst comparatively few
agree in any particular. In selecting citizen
for any public station, many hopes will be frus-
traled, and the disappointed parties and their
friends will be apt to indulge in repudia,ing
the choice, and en!isting the feelings of others
in their behalf. In an extended empire, like
our own, where numerous appointments are 10
be made in different parts Of it, a Chief Magis.
trate must necessarily often rely much upon the
judgment and information Of others; and it is
equally certain, that no man can give universal
satisfaction in appointments. We do not pIe-
lerd to say that we would have recommended,
or that we approve Of all the appointments OF
the President-but we very much doubt, whe.
,her any of,he gentlemen who have been held
up as candidates, would have made more that
we should have approvcd-and as we only de-
sire that the character Of the country should be
sustained, and its welfare promoted by due
and proper discharge Of all official duties, al.
though we canno: divcst ourselves Of our pre-
ference for friends, it is our duty 10 be content.
ed with those who acquil themselves in Office
faithfully and well. When President Adams
came into power, he distinctly made i, known,
that he would con6nc himself to no party in his
selections for appointmeHs-and he was then
generally commended forit. To this he has
conformed. On which party he has conferred
most or greatest appointments, we consider un-
important If the appointing powerful keep
integrity Of character and ample knowledge
| and ability TO discharge the duties Of Office,
with approved fidelity TO the country steadily in