Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-10-18


prompted him 10 adopt the preference he DID
certainly II does not follow that duty demanded
OF him this grave and formal exercise OF his ~
fiuence. whereby to contrOyert the opinions anc
votes OF others. Resting on this ground OF de
eislon merely, apart from any other, and fu'
tuFe Consideration. such active zeal was FORBID
den by the situation 10 which I've himself mad
very lately STOOD, and more especially from the
personal relation which he and Mr.. Adams had
recen,ly occupted towards each other.
The course adopted by Mr.. Clay IN reference
20 this election, aud the circumstances attend
iAg 1t at the time. were then as now tho SUD
ject Of free and censurable remark. The hnal
eonsuma,iou though did not for a time take
place. Many, incredulpus to mere assertion
and anxious to maintain their former favorable
opinions, were willing and disposed to defer
all credence until after The Inauguration, and
when il should with certainty be ssceriained,
whether Mr.. Clay wodld be appointed to the
first situation ~ the Cabinet. The nomination
came! 1t was su1mitted TO the Senate vote
taken, and contrary to what before, believe,
bad ever happened in reference TO a Cabi'
net appointment, a large number ct that BODY
(one third) were found in opposition to tt
Resides those, there we're Others, unffIeadiy
TO the confirmation, but who yielded their As
sent en- the ground, that the President was
smenable to the country tor a correct admins
tration Of It's affairs; add that the immemottal
usage Of the Senate, bad conceded hun the
RICH, to select his Cabinet agreeably to his "
wishes, IL was said If the Senate shall refuse
:heip assent, and future mishaps arse, u strong
defence 70 the Executive would be afforded
aud the President be enabled to ssy,-the Sc
nate opposed me and denied q right heretofore
never withheld, the right Of obtaining that as
|sisllnce in which, | had confidence. and which,
it was nv desire and object To procure That
the nomination though was silently voted on
and nothing SAID respecting It. ~ not correct -
n SENATOR in his place, addressed the chair
opposed a confirmation and presented the rea-
sons, of his objection which we're entirely III
reference to Mr.. Gays course and conduct on
the Presidential election. | shah not Use his
nama nor attempt to quote his remarks, 81.
though the Injunction of secrecy has been
long since removed. wall RENE n5er though,
that the name OF this Senator, and what lie
had done, and what sad, were spoken OF at
the time publicly; and | we'll remember too,
that no reply to him, was made or attempted,
or committee oil enquiry asked for. After he
had taken his seat. the uominAtion was voted
on, and carried. and the appointment conftm
ed. | know not what friend or member at
forded Mr. Clay the information that his noml
nation was not objected TO in the Senate; but
/ do know that he made an incorrect report.
If after a perusal Of what is here written,
there shall be any disposed to maintain, thar a
statement, simply, OF Mr.. Ruchauau's CONVEX
sation. is all that was necesssry, or proper to
be presented; and that | should have gone no
farther, this IS my answer. 1t is a public mat
ter, and one about which the country has mann
Tested deep solicituds; it was right thence to
speak what | knew.-But besides his, Mr..
Clay without regard to others feelings, or con
Germ for the injustice he might be dong, has
undertaken To hold me befofe the public, bg
representing that l had sustained a paper for the
avowed object of assailing his motives, and
deterring him in the exercise of his duty, for
thus it seems to be read: a noble vocation in.
deed! Why do this! | had not interfered to
interrupt Mr.. Clay's reposc; | bal written no
lette r 10 Mr.. Carter Beverly; and as far as he
then hal knowledge, had spoken nothing of,
or concerning him. No reasonable man then.
can look to me as u volunteer in this business,
or as having gone farther than even justice to
M sell demanded.
JOHN H EATON.
Franklin, Ten. Sept. II, 1877.