Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-09-06
LOWNDES, No. v.

49, LOWNDES, No. V.
Mr.. MDUFFIE AND MR.. CLAY
Tsths Editors ofthe National Lntelfgeneer.
The las, proof exhibited by Mr.. McDuhe a.
gainst Mr.. Clay is:
III That ne had the "audacity" TO receive
from Mr.. Adams, President OF the Oniteo
States, the appointment of Secretary OF ota'e'
The sentence in which this charge Is convey
ed is elaborated to its utmost extent Is no
"eyidenoe he asks that imnediatei! al.er ne
made Mr. Adams President, in opposition 10
~ every established principle and every principe 81
Doh;icnl consistency, he had the audaci'y, III
Contempt Of public opinion, and common ae-
cency to receive from the hands OF the man
whom he had thus elevated 10 power VIC
slightest office in his gilt
The @principle Of political consistency refer
,s5 % means. it is presumed, the principle as
cribed TO MIR. Clay by Mr.. McDuthe, In opPosl
t;on 70 he facts before him, and supported oy
an aru6ce which betrays the weakness oil the
cause in which IL is employed Having prov
ed demonstraaly that this principl existed on.
Iv in ,he imagination Of Mr. McDufhe, VIII
take the liberty Of considering it an unme ann
tautology.
By the words ain opposition to every esino
Hshed pyineyle' the idea IS conveyed 'ha' 'hI
acceptance Of the appointment OF secretary al
State, offered to MIR. Clay by the ffeSidehl,
contained diagram, violation OF an es'apns'e {,
moral and political principle, Recognized oy all
the world tits in illustration of this assertion
that propose to offer passing coiiiui NJ
What principle was violated! -,
Had not the President right to select ms
constitutional advisers? Had he not aright 10
ale this selection from among the ciuzens oil
KentncEy and large proportion " t IA esSSs
OF the United States, would have recomn,sr.i-L
as most Competent Or Was Mr. Clay, al that
time, ploscrjoed and disf.anchised citizen Of
Kentucky
But perhaps it nav BE said, that this dis
qualification has arisel, aCi because Mr. Clay
was citizen Of the United STATES, and dis
unguished citizen Of Kentucky b. oacause he
was Representative of the people. S then
an appointment By the People, to the highest II
not the only, Office in the National Government,
within their immediate gift, to operate as ci-
vii disqualification for all executive appoint
ments whatever! Is their selection to the high.
est trust to be regarded as proof of a disqual
flying incompetency? Is their favor to be the
cause of disfranchisement! Are the Ameri.
can People to be informed that the indi, iduals
to whom they have delegated the power Of
making war and peace, regulating commerce,
imposing taxes, and enactine laws affec Ting
their liberty and Ives who are invested with
their sovereignty, reflect their image, and by
whom only their voice can be heard and their
will regarded are ipso tacio, rendered unworthy
or incapable of subordinate Executive ap
pointment' Or are the members of that House
called by high authority ''the first orb in he
political creation" to be informed that. while
serving as legislators, they are precluded from
the privilege Of citizens; that, as soon as they
enter the service Of he People they are to- be re
garded as eiviIfer mortuus until by the expiration
Of their terms of service they are Fl stored to
the rank from which they have descended!
Are too many inducements now presented 70
attract to that House the fist talenr Of our
land? Do We find the competition Or the honor
of a seat too great amongthose best qualified TO
fulfil the high duties OF Legislators and states
men! has il not been mater ofgeneral con
Germ that he efficient taleut Of the House has
not KEEP: pace with the expanding energies
and increasing intelligence of the whole com
munity? And will the annexing of any disquali-
fying condition to a seat be the best means of
imparting dignit, to that body, giving to their
acts thu highest moral sanctions. and indu ing
men of talent 10 desert more profitable PROBES
sions for the purpose OF d. voting their ac-
quirements to the service Of their country?
While il is admitted that the PRESIDENT
ought not 10 be restricted inhis undoub,ed right |
to select as his counsellors, those bes, quaii6 !
ed, wherever they may be found; it must, q, the !
same time, be conceded, that various causes Con-
cur TO render both Houses Of Congress the |
principal field from which the most important,
Executive appointments will be made. The |
election itself, as Senator or Representative,
must be evidence Of some supe riority, ir;ellrc-
tual or moral. Is not the experience aequir-
ed BY service in Congress Of no valuei Is
there place where the operations OF the Gov
erpment. the policy OF our country. and the
practical duties or Statesmen, can be so per-
fectly. acquired, as the House Of Representa-,
tives. In this body can ignorance long br con-
cealed, or useful talent f.il 10 be Appreciated!
l. nor every member 3. hiec ted 10 The sckui;nY