Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-07

ne
pie they reI re.ented. The question, Therefore
naturally and unavolsbly suggests itself to every
mind, what motive could induce, and what princi-
pie could justify, Mr.. Clay, in tranpling upon tie
rights OF the People, by violating their most sacred
sovereign right right which, in the INNS, conn
prehensvs terms, he had acknowledged TO exis, i,
the People, This naturally leads US TO an exam
NATION oil those circumstances which induce IN.
belief that the coalition between Mr. CLAY and
Mr.. Adams founded upon n corrupt poIi,iraI
bargain. NJ Clay has repeatedly asked in his
speeches before the People, with an air of conf
dencs and triumph which he well knows how 10
assume in the most desperate emergencies If he is
to be condemned without evidenced VIII YOU
no says be, accord TO ne the right which belongs
to the hun6Iest cuprit, by The humanity of the law
that OF being presumed innocent till the contrary
rs proved! Now, IL is obvious that, in this oues-
uon, M. Clay coverty assumes the absurd
PoPosi ION that a man only be condemned up-
ON positive evidence, when il is known no, only to
every lawyer. but 10 every person in the slgh,es,
degree conversani with judicial proceedings that
1t Is The practice of every day TO condemn persons
I accused OF the highest ofIences-eYen of murder
Itset-up7n pIesump,ive citcumstantial evil
dence In assuming, therefore, that he cannot lie
condemned but b. positive evidence Mr. CLAY
torciI!y reminds me OF n of assault and bat
terry which was once tiled in my presence The
person who committed the outrage had said TO his
iriehd and companion, upon meeting the peiton
he intended TO assault, 4" would thank voI IN re-
tire behind that pine tree until give that fellow
a drubbinP. determined 10 beat him and I
do not wish you TO be witness against me -
Accordingly his friend retired heard the blows
given, and saw the blood and bruises after the af-
fair was over: Yet, the perpetrator of this outrage
came into court az confident of acquit,sl because
no person SAFE him inf ct the blows "a Mr. CLAW
appears TO be, because the terms of stipulation OF
the coalition brtween him ara Mr.. Adams ere not
reduced TO writing, and placed among the public
records. Condemn him without evidenreI /, IL
! no evidence, that he voted in favor of the man IN
whom he had for eight years stood in the relation
OF political enemy, and whoa he had during the
whole period OF the Presidential canvass before
the Feopie, opposed upon political principle? is
IT no evidence that he voted against the m an whom
ne knew to be the choice, almost unanimous
choice, OF the people OF Kentucky; thus openiy
and Elegantly, and ireaeherousy violating the fan.
damenisl right of the people, and the cons,iiu-
"ohal ohigailon, which, upon has own avowed
principles, bound him TO voIe for Gen lack sou9
j. it no evidence, that Immediately after he n,ada
MI Adams President, in opposition to every estab-
ilshed principle, and every principle of political
/ consistency, he had the auIacty in conteront az
public opinion ana common decencv, to receive
IRON the hands of the man he had thus elevated to
power, the highes. Office in his gift, This fact OF
ilself, spesks volumes sgsust him. When we see
two political enemies suddenly reconcile2, The one
receiN ng from the other the Chief Masstracy,
ana that other receiving, in return, the highesr
Executive aDPointment--and all this in violation
! OF the most sacred political principles, end in
shameless contempt OF the external forms of poll
ticai moTailly-csn we avoid drawing conclusions
unfavorabe TO their political honesty! Ii appsa,s
| 10 me 10 be impossible.
! But the internal evidence does not sion here
The conduct of Mr.. Clay, for some weeks before
/ he formed The coalition with Mr. Adams is worthy
OF the most attentive examination. What then,
: was his deForimqnt during the early part of tbs
session Of Congress, in which MIR. Adams was
! elected! he came TO Washington member of the
I hat
! tween Gen. jackson end Mr.. Adams The cha
raciers and preensons Of the two candidates were
perfectly known to him. II was known that he
AID his friends held the balance of power in their
hands, end, by acting in concert could decide the
cleo ion. This they had opeoly ayowed in a pubs
/ llcatIon during the before the people. and
every body ~ Washington looked to the move
menis OF Mr.. Clay, 10 what would be decisive
OF the election. For more than a month after his
arrival in Washington, he shrouded himself in
profound mystery. The he would pursue
/ WAS subject OF various speculation, but he kert
the counseis Of his " conscience ,ecret from Tie
pubic.
He advised his friends in Congress to hod
themselves uncomniited, stating that when they
did move, II was important thai they SHOULD move
altogether, and with decisive effect And hn,,e
I that he prevailed upOn of the Western menu
bers who bad made up their minds 20 OBEY the
WIZ OF their constituents, by voting for General
Jackson, TO vote tor Mr.. Adams Nov. | ask YOU.
] construction
! You can place uron this conduct of Mr. Claw
| What possible motive, consistent with honor nr
4 honesty, could have induced him to keen his own
course secret for so long time, and 10 prevail
! upon al the fiends be could iufueace, 10 adopt
the eame course? Can the spirit of charity itself
/ believe, that he was aH this line consulting that
isiihiUi monitor, his conscience! Was he study
! ing the characers, and canyassing the eualifics
lions, OF twO rival candidates3 These he had long
known. IL Is impossible TO place any but one eor-
! siruciion upon this conduct 4 man situated ~
Mr.. Clay was, holding in hs hands the baisnce /, 6
/ power, and holding himself and bis friends re-.
ie'sshy uncomfnIited, can be regarded in no Other
ight than that OF putting himself up to thu highest
bidder. IL Is the sane, 10 effgci, as lie had in
! scFlbel on his forehead, the words which You ne
! ten see On the doors OF untenanted houses 70
/ LEI An honorable man, intending 10 art hon
esy and disintere.tely, y, ould not nave per,,i,.
I tea ms opinion TO remain doubtful Tor moment
/ under such cHcnmstsnces. The simple fact Of his
I holding he votes OF FIVE States uscomn,ifted
I when pr IS as known that upon him IL very rpnrb
/ depended to say how they would vote, fIrnisbss
satisfactory evidence that he was holding himsaie
back not 20 " consult his cobscience' not to rom
suit the qualifications Of the csndiJates-but -,
/ drive political bargain. And the sub-eopsn,
formation and circumstances OF the coalition 49,.
the evidence irresistible. when charge Mr. Cl.,
/ then, with having formed an unprineipIsd co,i
ton with Mr. Adams, founded upon a n ,trie.l bs,
| gem, wish 10 be distinctly understood. r ,vul
therefore, slate analyticslly what constjtntes i,
/ my ophion' corrupt political bargain. II Al,
D"y voted against GeneTal Jackson, knowing ina.
me Feop'e OF Kentucky preferred MIN 10 Mr., A.
aus 'nI knowing that he was bound hv 60 f,s
[ Il g..