Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1827-08-16

Beverly; and resting 10 connexIon with
an accusation publicly charged in the
newspapers; and yet, MIR. Clay, at this
late period, profess to be re%joiced, that
"a specific accusation, by a response
BILE accuser, mas at length appeared
Certainly more than two years ago, an
accuser respectable, and an accusation
specific, were both before hlm-were
both within his reach, and might have
been met, had he been al all disposed to
the interview, or rejoicsd at the pros
pect of meeting an accuser.-Had Mr
M'Dufie believed the charge ground
less aud untrue, he is a man of too hlgE
sense OF honour to have pressed upon
the consideration Of the committee an
instruction clothed in the pointed phrase
ology that this is, nor can it be INFER
red, that in a matter so serious, the
friends OF Mr.. Clay would have voted
| against extending this asked for power
to the Committee. An innocent man
before an impartial tribunal fears not to
meetthe exercise of any power that
competent authority gives; and far less
should be distrust that exercise, when
in the hands Of correct and honorable
men.
Innocence never seeks for safety thro'
! covert ways and hidden ambuscades;
she fights by day and in the open plain,
and proud in her own strength, meets
her enemy fearIessly In the PROPOSE.
ton submitted by Mr.. M'Dutie, there
was nothing to alarm, nothing that in.
nocence should have doubted about; it
was neither more nor less, than a call OF
the attention Of the committee to parti-
cular enquiries, with an application for
power to ferret out the truth, through
an appeal to the oath of those who might
be called upon to depose before them.
Without documents, and unacquaint
ed with the number Of Mr.. Clay's friends
in the House, Lcannot assert that the,
were in opposition to Mr.. M'Dutie's re-
solution. Yet it is obvious, that the in
huence he possessed would have been
amply sufficient TO produce a different
result, had Mr. Clay been at all desi-
rous that a different one should have
been produced. The resolution CON.
tanned strong imputstions. and serious
charges-Mr. Clay and his friends were
both implicated. Can it be presumed,
under such a state of general excite
ment, that if MIR. Clay desired it, ne
could no, have found present and at
hand, some friend to ask in his behalf.
that the resolution should be adopted,
and full powers extended to the Commit
tee3 And, moreover, can it be thought,
that suchan indulgence, if desired by
Mr. Clay, or any of his friends, could
or would have been denied1 Aud yet, it
was denied, inasmuch as the resolution
wa rejected, and the power asked for,
refused to the committee. A solicitude
TO find "a specific accusation, by a res
ponsible accuser," could not have been
so seriously entertained then, as it is
earnestly expressed now, or else so ex-
cellent an opportunity being afforded to
encounter both, both could not have
been so carelessly regarded-so con
temned, and SO thrown away. A con-
troversy with me can no more disclose
or render apparent MIR. Clay's inno-
cence, than could the controversy plac.
ed within his reach two and a half years
ago; and yet, while Inc one was avoid
ed, or at any rate rot embraced with a
zeal corresponding with the necessity of
the occasion, at the prospects presented
by the other, exceeding Joy seems TO
be manifested. Then, as now, ospecifc
accusation, was before him.
One further remark and | am done,
with a hope that, on this subject, I may
not be under any necessity Of again APP
pearing in the newspapers. In saying
what have, all the circumstances con
sidered, have felt it was due to myself.
and to the public. My wish would have
been. to avoid having any thing to say
or do in this matter, from an apprehen-
sion well conceived, that persons will
not be waiting who may charge, what
ever is done, to a desire to affect others.
and benefit myself My own feelings.
though, are of higher Importance and
value to me, than the opinion of those
who impose censure where i; is believed
not to be deserved, have been actua
ted by no such design nor governed by
any such consideration. The origin
the beginning of this matter, was at my
own house and Preside; where surely a
freeman may be permitted TO speak on
public topics without having ascrioed Ia