Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-08-11
3seeDeaeoeau ssUts6W.



Of the Generals Letter in reply 70 Mr.. Cay's Card
of denial and defence from Lexington. As lie has
promised further commentary might well dispense
with any rely ctions OF own vet several things
have struck which he has yet touched upoa we
will offer .e1ectioos upon thcn TO the reader.
The most singular circumstance in the Generals
letter is his solicituie be considered the public
acruser of a!r. Clay This is the first and the last
topic of the letter. Mr.. Clay, he says, ac,s
and Denies no, any thing have written, but that
which he himself makes me 10 say" And again lie
says, 'he seeks present himself to the public in
his defence, and still less become the 'responsi
bic accuser' of Mr.. Cayn Let the history OF the
transaction borne in mind. Immediately after the
election Gen jackson informed his confaut DuG
Green, according to h declaration of the later, tina,
overtures had been made hun by Mr.. Clay and his
friends. RE repeats .e same assertion to Beverly.
and Mr.. Clay a'iejgcs bad also made it 10
individuals, different and distant points Ia tie
letter which is the subject OF comment, he says,
"llr. Beverly being visit at my house, requested
to know OF me, other gentlemen being present, wbe-
Their the overtures heretofore imputed to Mr. Clay
wete well founded, aud if had knowledge of any Of
the facts myself l answered him candidy; being
unable we'll as unwilling, 70 refuse telling things
had heard and hneac to be frae." Here is full ac-
know ledgmept of The truti of Bevery's etter-to wit
chat overtures had been made 10 Gen. jackson by
Clay and his friends' sc. iris only acknow-
lelguent tina, Beverly truly reported the conversation
bat repetition OF the charge upon his personal hlo-
2cdgc--''he could not refuse tell things which he
hi heard and kne,g 10 Be rue. With what propriety
with what consistency, does Gen. Jackson then say
HAT he had never accused Mr. Clay of any thing, and
that MIR. Clay had made him say things which he
had said? Does Mr.. Clay charge him with any thing
but his having made the very statement to- Beverly
and others, which he acknowledges have made?
Wien he told Beverly before large assembIage, that
overtures had been made him By Mr. Clay and his
friends, he not accusing Mr. CLAY, and accusing
him under circumstances injurious TO the repu-
tation of the latter than il he had made the accusation
in the most public manner Gen. jackson discovers
a strange obiquity of moral vision this subject.
lie will to be considered Mr.. lays public
accuser--he discairns the idea of becoming his res
2onsible accserhe even seems consider himse; in
jured by Mr.. Clay when tie latter calls what he had
himself 10 possess perfect right to speak unmolesed
OF Mr. Clay corruption, at his fire SIDE aud TO his
,',feads The origiu--the beginning OF this matter
freeman may be permitted speak ON public topics
without having ascrlbed to him improper designs.n-
The plain and Obvious construction of this language
is this~-"true have spoken freely OF Nir. CLAY
lave to my guests, charged hn and his friends with
corruption in the Presidential eleciion-I have thus
charged him upon my persona! knowlcdge-But !
nrght not 10 be responsible for t!s for the
satioD was held at my frcside-tlIere surely,
have right TO say what please of public men."-
What does thc reader think of the morality of this
reasoning? Is ii true that that which is SANDER in
other places, is lcgimated when spoken by the FIRE
side? Is the less responsible 10 another, be-
cause the accusation made in bis house, inst cad
of publicly Is he less bound TO bis accusation
when privately circulated, than when publicly made
where the defendant may have opportunity of vim.
dioating himself? Is il thus generous and magnan
Injus foe would reason and act? Has Gen Jackson
right to circulate charges destructive of Mr.. CLAWS
honour, and then when called upon TO substantiate
hem 10 say that hc was uos the accuscr Of Mr.. Clay
that what he had said, said at his own ireside:
Unfortunate remark! remark that cannot but
leave ;he most unfavorabe impression of the Generals
of moral fitness, and prove to the world HAT bis
IDEAS Of right and wrong crude as lis notions Of
military superiority.
The truth is, that the General and his partizanq have
been willing 10 benefit and have largely benefited from
tie charges against Messrs. Clay and Adams, without
being willing to assume their responsibility. For
than two years they have boon ndustro,sly cir
cuaied in the most exaggerated forms, and confident
language, and the General himself has not disddned
10 aid in their circulation. Bat no sooner is tie
charge traced TO some responsible individual, than he
declines the responsibility of sustaining it. The gen.
tiemen know very well, tl,a il is better to keep these
charges suspended over the heads Of Nessrs. Adams
AID Clay, than 70 attempt their proof While they
continue TO be circulated, much injury IS effected
as if they were proyed-au attcmp; to prove item
might expose their infamous origin and basecss fonn.
ta!ion, and result in he confusion Of the pottcrs. But
ino time has como, when tbi5 aijcmp, must be made.
Unwilling as jackson and his pattizans have shown
themselves 10 meet the investigation they can no lon