Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-08-07
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
"BARGAIN AND CORRUPTION

opposers, and for modification to his followers
The former appear ready to exclaim with Job,
"Behod my desire is That mine adversary had ,crt
ten q book," whilst the latter may well borrow
from the same source an appropriate rebuke
to their chief "Oh that you you'd altogether hold
your peace, and IL should be your risdom"
Egotism is always folly; but the ego,ism is
most foolish, which, in the vanity Of self-dis-
play, exposes bad principles. Gen. Jackson
seldom writes, but where he is himself the sub
ject, and he never fails to make parade of his
own Importance and integrity. A conscious
ness that more is ascribed 20 him than he can
Justly claim seems to beset him and betray him
into continual efforts to catch applause. In
making these efforts, in the true spirit of an ego
tist, he looks only at one side of question, and
often exposes the very matter he was most
anxious to conceal, both from others and him.
self. The Beverly letter is a remarkable in.
stance Of this weakness, and Of the inconsistent
cies and contradictions that usually attend it.
Ofthis letter the Generals himself the hero,
and ii is written to demonstrate the fact that
in a conjuncture Of strong temptation, he had
resisted evil, with the inaexible sternness Of an
ancien, Roman. Yet it is only necessary to
read and examine it with attention, 10 decide
that it is OF doubtful veracity and full Of suspi
cious cant. These are severe remarks, but he
who shall accompany me through an analysis
of the letter itself, must be satisfied that thew
are not misapplied.
y 1t is admitted that the charges against Mr..
Clay and his friends were "feely and franklin"
communicated 10 Mr.. Beverly; "6ut ,r,fhoui any
calculation that they TO be hro,ca into the pub
&c journals
Thus we have Gen Jackson's own admis-
sion, that in his own house, at his own table,
in the presence of several persons, in reply to
question put to him, he '.freeiy and frankly"
accused Mr.. Clay and his friends ofmaking TO
him a most degrading proposition; and that he
made this accusation without "any calculation"
that it would be made public, "thrown into the
public Journals" Let US examine the admis-
sion, upon the common principles ofhonorable
conduct among gentlemen.
Gen. Jackson, Mr.. Adams, and Mr.. Clay,
were competitors for the same high office. Mr..
Clay was by circumstances thrown out of tie
contest, and compelled 10 make choice be-
tween his two competitors. He preferred Mr..
Adams, and was taken into his cabinet. He is
accused before the public Of making his prefer
ence from corrupt views Of personal aggran-
dizement. Upon the first appearance Of the |
suggestion, ne demanded a public enquiry, |
which was awarded 10 him, and his accusers
shrunk from the Investigation. Two years al |
forwards, Gen. Jackson, who remained silent
when Mr. Clay was on his trial, who had wit |
messed the continued repetition Of the charge |
without proof, repeats II freely and frankly"
around his own domestic hearth, In the "c1icu-
iatios," Git is his own term) that the accusation
would not be made public. What then was his ,
The question admits Of but one
reply. He calculated, il would be privately cir
culated, as il had been: that he would be pri-
va,ely given as authority, and that consequent
ha w hav nj ~ |
10 pu, him to The proof. Irepeat the question,
If this was not hi, "ealcuiaiion,' what was il!
What honor able Calculation could he make as
to the use TO be made Of his Stree and frank"
Contrary, however, 10 his "calculGtion," the
by the indiscretion of the int. rrog-
ator, is "thro,rn into the public journals and
this being the case, the General is ready to make
the best of it. "Facts cannot be altered" the in
discretion Of the publication was uninten,ion-
al; the General has neither "coneealmsnt'' nor
"dreqd," and, therefore, he assures the apparent
ly trembling offender, "his feelings to,cards him
are moi tie least changed" The morality and
the honor Of the sentiment here avowed, we'll
deserve consideration. If the facts could be
altered, if Mr. Beverly's letter were written for
if the General had "concsaimenf."
or "dread," why, then Mr.. Beverly's offence {
could not be forgiyen! An act, lis excusable or
just as it affects the General him ,
self! There is self existing principle Of right
and wrong in the Generals code of ethics But :
every thing is right or wrong as it may affec, '
the General HIMSELF! How happily does this ,
sentiment accord with the practice Of the Ge-
,eral's principal supporters! S
Next, the General tells US what he "ai,oays q
attended, TO do He would give the name Of c
his informant ''should Mr.. Clay come out, orsr
as own name, and deny any knouaedgs Of the com.
made By his friends 10 my trieads and u
. ms" The fact that commune alton was I
made by Mr.. Clay's friends to the Generals T
riends and to himself is here positively assert
4. And the General avows his intention to
make the charge against Mr.. Clay and his a
riends, .ffesiy and fraakiy, but "'s'faoM any
apers," without giving his authority, until Mr. 9
Lay should come oat over his'own name apd