Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-01-22

the Constitution, Congress may enlarge the sphere
of the action Of the General Government indefi-
nitely by the assumption of any power they may
uihk proper or by exercising any power they
may ulnk VIII better the condition Of the people
II the whole foreign relations of the republic arr
placed under the absolute control of the presidents
IN snort, II The representative in the discharge OF
his functions IS to be unpaiSed by the viii OF hi,
constituents then though we may have the form
ol Nonsntution lcit--Sct in fact. and il couss-
quehce' We are as much slaves the ubjects Of
me despot, whose actions know no guidance, save
MS own corrupt Will anu pleasure. Therefore it
y uAat tiia meeting urge these objections against
Mr. Adams with all their devotion 10 the integrity
oil tue Constitution, aud the principles Of liberty
we are aware that 1t has been said, MIR Adams
enjoyed the confidence of Washington, Jefferson,
and Madison But MIR. Adams could not have en-
Joyed the political confidence of Washington, be-
cause his principles had not developed themselves
before the close OF WashingtOnS life. And Mr.
jefferson, never by any appointment TO office in
dlcated his confidence in Mr. Adams. Under lis
Fathers Administration, Mr. Adams was appoint
ed Minister to Prussia, where no american Minis
ter ever sent, either before or since and
perhaps Mr.. jefferson did not wish TO display anv
peculiar resentment against the father, by recall
ing the son immediately his accession to Office
but SO 1t Is, Sir. Adams did return TO America
shortly after the close of his Fathers Adninistra-
ton, and up to 1906, discovered the most rancor-
Gus hostility TO the measures of the then Admins
tratlon. True Mr.. Madison appointed him Minis
ter TO Russia in 1902 but because MIR. Madison
appointed him TO an office, before he had had an
oPPortsnry Of disclosing his principles, and in
which, II they had been disclosed, he could not
have used them; does it follow that he no,c has
the confidence OF Madison, when he has laid down
doctrines, to the exploding of which, that great and
good man has devoted so large portion of distin-
gulshed talents and useful life
During the recess Of Congress- Mr. Adams hay
ing accepted the invitation of the southern repub-
ncs to send ministers TO Congress to be held at
Panama--tor what object of interest TO the United
states, remains yet TO be shewn-informed the
Senate IN Dec. 1925 that Ministers gcottid be COM
inissioned. They were commissioned; but have
returned, without having found the Congress-
lhus this splendid pageant, after an expenditure
oil thousands, has terminated i'll u sheer abortion.
But we owe il not to Mr.. Adams that it proved
harmless experiment We owe it not TO Mr. Adj
ans discretion, that we have not been involved in
ulose entanghng alliances, against which the con-
curing experience of almost every age and ma
ton, az well as the dying words of the Father of
ms country, so solemnly warn u.s.
During the past year, the world has witnessed
the singular, but dishonorable spectacle of heads
OF departments, ''stooping from their high Estates
TO travel through the country, get up dinners, and
make speeches for electioneerinp purposes The
great object of the Administration seems TO be-
to keep their places by all means, and at all haz-
ards For this purpose, the pCblic interests have
been sacrificed, and the time and talents of the Of
hlcers OF the government have been put in re-
iuiSlOiA. IL Is DClleVeQ mat even the lutiu-
ence and patronage Of the government have been
perverted 10 the same dshonorable use
1t was asserted after the election of 1925, that
a corrupt bargain existed between Messrs. Adams
and Clay, and in the opinion of this meeting, sub
sequent events have not dissipated, but blackened
the cloud OF suspicion, which rests upon the whole
transaction. And though no positive proof has
been adduced to support the charge yet coniunc-
uon oil circumstances, all converging to one point
strongly induce the belief of the fact IL Is nm
necessary to remark that 81 al
IS, IN many cases, more TO be relied on than posi-
tive proof; human testimony being fallible; cir
cumstances invariable Previous TO the election
oil 1870, Mr.. Clay repeatedly declared that he had
no confidence IN MIR. Adams political integrity
or his talents statesman: and actually refused
TO serve with him in the Cabinet of Mr.. Monroe
because he was an apostate federalist. He de-
nounced Mr. Adams before the people of Kentuc-
ky, as an enemy 10 the interests of the West and
commenced contest with the now President
which he pledged himself to resume at some
more prOpttiOtts t1ae.' 1t is true that Mr. Clav
charged Mr.. Adams with ''errors of facts and o.
plnIons, no doubt unlntentional;" yet Mr.. Adams
considered 1t an lnsldous and ungenerous attack
and returned j tart and indignant reply Ii is the
policy OF those, who wish 70 blast the reputation of
competitor, and yet have no honorable means OF
doing so, to throw out hints and Institutions that
they have that in their possession Which If il
were made public, would ruin their opponent for
ever. Mr.. Clay is an adept in ali the tricks md
stratagcms OF this dishonorable mode of warfare
The Secretary has not resumed iris contest: the
propltioUs tune" has not arrived and in all pro-
DaDliity never VIII arrive. Again; during an i'm
portant debate in the House of Representatives in
tol7s Mr.. Clay used the following language: (. /
care not hO1C ascertain the viii Of nv constitu-
ens; nor what are the eUidelfccs Of it: IL is sufi
ciet for me that kHolV it. While have seat on
this floor, shall holl myself bound by the will of
my constituents, whether express or in1pEied. -
NOW IS II not reasonable 10 suppose that Mr. CLAW
did kiiol0 the viii Of his constituents, when Cen
jackson received about one-third of the votes of
Kentucky, in opposition TO himself, the most DoDL-
Tar man at tie time, in the State When ali Ken
lucky impressed upon his mind the importance of
having a Western President? When after his own
exclusion tom the House of Representatives the
Legislature of Kentucky passed a resolution al
most unanimously, instructng their representa-
tivcs to vote for JacksOn We do not contend that
these instructions were absolutely binding on Mr.
Clay; but considering the unanmity with which
the resolution passed, they furnished clear and
strong evidence OF the will of his constituents and
Mr.. Clay g does not care h0U that will is ascer-
toined. what are the eDidences Of it nor whether
It be express or implied" On his arrival at Wash
ngt0n, Mr.. Clay shrouded his opinions In profound
mystery, though well acquainted with the ouali-
hcatiOns OF all the candidates. IT is indeed sinpu
lar that Mr.. Clay, who opposed Nh Adams, fore
the psSope OF Kentucky Tor the purpose Of break
ing the cabinet Succession" should assign as
a reason why he himself voted for Mr. Adams.
that he was conforming to the Sc safe precedent OF
electing the Secretary Of State, President" This
meeting indulge the confident hope and belief t,t
Mr. Clay will not profit by his conformity TO '.saC.
precedents' Upon the whole, there are at least
grounds Tor the strongest suspicion, that corruption
does actually exist. But whether there be cor
ruPtion or not, this meeting believe they cannot
be mistaken ia the fact that there is coalition of
the Norther and Western, 70 the prostraGon of the
Southern interests. While the agriculturalists