Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-01
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WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST l, 1897.


WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST l, 1897
Mr.. Clay's Speech at Lering ton.-We lay this dec
dnent before the public with undssemblcd satisfaction
Our situation coerces us 10 the performance of many
duties-some pleasant, disagreeabe, para-
King of either character. But satisfaction in law
Ing this speech before the reader-in freseeing that
acknowledgment of MIR. Clay's innocence, which will
inevitably follow IFS perusal-in knowing beforehand
nt every candid aud honorable mind that considers
at, will be persuaded at last Of MIR. Clays innocence
and eSecrae the vile and detestable ISLANDERS by which
his numerous, powerful and designing enemies have
sought to overwbelm reputation whose uuclouded
spendor was hateful and oppressive TO their ewes
THIS satisfaction is unaloyed and complete There is
satisfaction at all times and without other regard 10
Ie object in the successful of aspersed in
nocence. When the object of assault aud aspersion is
man who has grown grey in the service of the coun
try-who stood By her and cbeere, the droopnp spir
ITS OF his countrymen with his glorious eoquencc when
patriots grew Respondent, traitors became insocn and
many who now conspire 10 hunt him down. manifest
ed their patriotism BY twartiug the cause of tlei,
country-and when above all, this malignant persecu.
lion is Interested in its origin selfish in IFS scope wa
ged to destroy Henry Clay, and not TO promote the
man, i'll rejoce in Mr.. Clay's exculpaton as in hi:
own escape from the assassln's knife.
II is impossible for Mr.. Clay to prore bis innocence
Otherwise than by pFotestations and the exhibition
circumstances incompatible with guilt. As TO the first
his asseveration for the fourth time and in the mos
solemn shape, before the American Public connected
with invitations and entteatics to his enemies tc
prove their charges As to the last. those who peruse
r. r ipcSo he
accusation is false aud malicious and that has beer
circulated for two years and half By men in high pla
Ces, who knew it to be false aud malicious as il was
acknowledged by the perpetrators themselves.
We cannot leave the subject without adve:ing tc
the conduct of Gen. Jackson for a moment Beverly
10 his Fayetteville letter says unequiyocay, that Gen
jackson told him "ta oyertures had been made TO i:r
by MIR. Clay and his friends 10 make him President il
hour, provided Mr. Adams was dismissed from The
Department of State" But en- Jackson in his letter
10 Beverly at Wheeling, said ''ths overture made
him by respectable member OF Congress, of uniform
friendly conduct to himself" and he chose 10 suppose,
that 1t came from Mr.. Clay. We desire the reade,
to mark this variance attenvely, for is of greater
moment, than it may appear the frs, view DID
Cen Jackson tell Beverly, that Mr.. Clan and hi
friends had nude these overtures 10 him? Beyerl,
says SO distinctly ard appeals for confirmation TO va
rfons gentlemen, viz: Nessrs. Wormley of Tenn.
Harrison of KY and rhrogmorton and Whiting of Va
who were present when the conversation was hell
al the Hermitage. These gentlemen hare confrmef
the truth OF Bevery's statement By their silence Ir
addition to this corroboration that Beverly renortef
tire conversation Of Gen. Jackson exactly as bannen
ed, in his Fayetteville letter, the WASHINGTON TeIe
graph which ia the confidential agent of Gen Jackson
land II there were no other objection TO jackson, hi
confidential Intercourse with dopraved an ANNA
as Duff Green, is sufficiently republsbed the Fayette
Vile letter, adopted its language, spoke ofthe circun
saoces OF the charge as long and Familiarity known Il
tue Editor, az from General JucI,sos himself anC
threatened proof in his good time. Furthermore
Tue Enquirer OF this place, in its usual stye of iucn-
no. 'Dt'UratinS IFS belief Iu MIR. Cay's guilt yrou
the trankness TO commit itself any supe gave cur
TeOcy 10 the charge made by Beverly and smoke
nysterousy, aud it would have IFS readers believe
rtderstd'ldiy, on the suhJcct Of Mr.. Claws guilt II
tie matter. These circumstances singIy would not bt
OF sufficient weight 10 establish the fact that Genera
Jackson did tell Beverly and The rest of bis comnanv
that Mr.. Clay and his friends had made corrupt pro
posals TO him. hut united they go very far towards pro
wing absolutely that he did so speak in presence o
Beverly and the rest To Beverly e attach as luI,
credit as we do 10 Duff Greene, and need scarcely
inform the reader what standing Duff occupies in GU
regsrds-but TO the evidence of the tgo--to the fac
that Beverly would scarcely have stumbled upon th,
expression "tbat Mv. Clay and his friends had mad,
proposals to Gen Jackson" unless he had heard Gen
jackson sag SOTO the silent testimony of the othe
geutiemento all the circumstances aud probabilities
Of the case VIC DO attach great, if not implicit credit