Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-09


nersons and papers, and to compel the persons
SO sent for to answer upon oath" -
Now. here is a resolution. officially submit
ted. covering more than the ground OF my COM
munication to Mr.. Beverley; & resting IN con-
nexion with an accusation publicly charged In
the newspapers; and yet, Mr.. Clay, at TINS la.e
period, processes to be rejoiced that "a specihc
accusation, by responsible accuser, has at length
appeared" Certainly more than two years ago
an accuser respectable, and an accusation spe-
ci6c, were both before him--were both WIND
his reach, and might have been met, had ne
been at ali disposed 10 the interview. or reJoic.
ed at me prospect of meeting an accuser. fiad
Mr.. McDufie believed the charge groundless
and untrue, he is man Of too high sense OF
honor to have pressed upon the consideration
of the committee an instruction clothed in the
pointed phra.eology that this is; nor can 1t NC
inferred, that in matter so serious, the irienos
of Mr.. Clay would have voted against extend
ing this asked for power 10 the committee
An innocent man before an impartial tribunal
fears not to meet the exercise oil any power that
competent authority gives; and Tar less should
he distrust that exercise, when in the hands OF
correct and honorable men.
Innocence never seeks for safety through CO.
vert ways and hidden ambuscades; she nights
by day and in the open plain, and proud IN her
own strength, meets her enemy fearlessiy. In
the proposition submitted by Mr. McDuthe'
there was nothing to alarm, nothing that IN
nocence should have doubted about; II was nei-
Their more nor less than call OF the attention
Of the committee to particular inquiries, WIN
an application for power to ferret GU, the truth,
through an appeal 10 the oath OF those VINO
might be called upon to dcPose before them:
| - n.,d Fnua n
the number of Mr. Clay's friends in the House,
cannot assert that they were IN opposition 10
| Mr.. McDuffie's resolution. Yet II is obvious,
| tba, the influence he possessed would have been
amply sufficient to produce different result,
had MIR. CLAW been az all DESTROYS that differ
en-, one should have been produced. The reso-
luton contained strong imputations, and serl'
Gus charges-Mr Clay and his friends were
both implicated. Can 1t be presumed, under
such state Of general excitement, that il MIR.
Clay desired it, he could no, have found, present
and at hand, some friend TO ask in his behalf,
that the resolution should be adopted, and full
powers extended to the committee? And,
moreover, can it be thought, that such an in
diligence, if desired by Mr.. Clay, or any of his
friends, could or would have been denied? And
vet i, was denied, inasmuch as the resolution
was rejected, and the power asked for, refused
to the committee. A solicitude 10 find "a spe-
cific accusation, by responsible accuser,'
could not have been so seriously entertained
then, as it is earnestly expressed now, or else SO
excellent an opportunity being afforded TO en-.
counter both, both could not nave been so care
lessly regarded so condemned, and so thrown
away. A controversy with me can no more dis
close or render apparent Mr.. Clay's innocence
and and ye
the one was avoided, at any rate not embra-
ced with zeal corresponding with the neces-
sity oil the occasion, at the prospects presented
by the o:her exceeding joy seems 10 be mani
tested Then, as now. a specific accusation was
before him.
One further remark and am done, with a
hope that, on this subject, may not be under
any necessity Of again appearing in the news.
papers. In saying what have, all the cireum.
stances considered, have felt it was due to my
self and TO the public. My wish would have
been, to avoid having any thing to say or do in
this matter, from an apprehension well conceiv-
ed, that persons will not be wanting who may
charge, whatever is done, to desire to affect
others, and benefit myself. My own feelings,
though, are ofhigher importance and value 10
me, than the opinion Of those who impose GEN.
sure where it is believed not to be deserved.
"o'S 'SS" aS'ua'Su Wy ~ SuCH ucSIkH, UOT gov
| erned by any such conside ration. The origin
the beginning Of this matter, was at my own
| house and hreside; where surely freeman may
be permitted to speak on public topics withou,
having ascribed to him improper designs.
have not gone INFO the highways and market
places To proclaim my opinions, and in this,
feel that have differed from some, who even
at public dinner tables, have not scrupled 10
consider me as legitimate subec, for speech,
and the entertainment of the company. Yet,
Tor this, who mas heard me complain? No ono
Trusting to the justice Of an intelligent people,
have been content to rely for security on their
decision, against the countless assaults and
ISLANDERS which so repeatedly are sought to be
pamcd upon them, without seeking 20 present
myself in my own defence, and stiA less, to be-
come "the responsible accuser" Of Mr.. Clay or
any other person.
ANDREW JACKSON.
Hermitage, July 18th, 1927.