Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-12-17

friends Of the administration intended TO vots
for as Speaker!" From this interrogatery, IT
is clear that Mr. Stevenson was fully appriseo
that political eralions were 10 enter INTO
the contest. To the question thus put by Mr.
Stevenson, Col. Brent promptly replied, tna''
as to himself, he intended 10 vote Tor Mr. o'e-
veuson, but feared that he would not be eiectec,
because "his course bad not been so decided as
to insure the'con6dence of Mr.. Adams friends,
In this answer of Col. Brent, there was every
thing that Mr.. Stevenson could wish, he was
assured ,ha, although his course had moi been
viewed as sufficiently decided" yet tina. Col.
Brent. as his friend, would vote for him. This
placed Mr.. Stevenson perfect liberty to In
dulre in that kind Of harangue which all who
know him are aware he do much delights in
devotion to Virginia, literal construction OF the
Constitution; opposition to domestic manufac-
lures, sc. taking care however, TO promise that
he had determined to Judge the Admlh' stra-
ton by its measures" This was all very we'll
adopted for .commy % one VINO, al
s saSs on atm'Slsllllion Of Mr.. Adams
was, as Southern man" opposed to o>
lection Of domestic manufactures; "ssN OIL.
Brent, as he states left Nfr:: Stevenson, declar-
ing he would vote for him, let his course to-
wards the Administration be what ii might.
This. however, was The declaration Of per.
supal friend: one whose attachments bad been
cemen,ed. under circumstances calculated to
form the s,ronges, les of friendship. MOI so
with others ofthe friends Of the Administrations:
they were differ. My situated, and would re-
ou,re something moIe to determine their
choice. Juvenile attachments, ri2ened into
friendship, were not felt by them and Mr.. Ste
venson had Just zen informed Uy Col. Brent,
that his "course AL not been so decided as 10
ensure their confidence il became me-
cessary 10 do something 20 dispcl these doubts
The ele ton was q, hand, aad no time was to
be lost: MIR. Campbell, Mr.. McLane, and.Mr.
TAYLOR, were all candidates, and heard his de-
claration to mr.; declaration single, and de-
tached from any other remark, and therefore
the less liable to be misunderstood. From the
language which Mr. Stevenson has used in his
Address, il appears that he repudiates the idea,
that he wished to form any connection with the
friends Of The Administration as such, but that
re hoped 10 gain the chair by means Of his me-
ris and superior qualifications for the office:
tut the course he has proven that he pursued
forbds the conclusion, that such were his eX-
D. Citations. Had it been so, in place OF inquir-
ing OF Colonel Brent, "who the friends Of III.
Administration intended 10 vote fer" he would
rave inquired as 10 how this and that ndi>
vidual MEMBER, or delegation, were disposed
10 act: and no, low thu "fiends Of The Admi>
nistraiion' were disposed to oeslow th,ir suf-
frages. Men no apt, at an important crisis
in their affa,rs, and III matters OF deep cnncer' I"
rt, to 3" o. ions, from motives Of mere
idle curiosity. Mr. Stevenson did not ask Col
Brent, ''u,ho the friends Of the ,4dminisfra-
tion intended 10 vois jor," for the naked purpose
Of gaining an opportunity to inform them,
through the Colonel, that, In voting for him,
they need not expect that he would support
the measures which Mr. dams, III his inau-
gurai speech. had CLEARLY indica'ed that II was
his purpose 10 pursue. BY no means: he felt an
interest in knowing their views, hat he might
profit by the information: and had no, Col.
Brent, by referring to the opinions ex r-ssed
By Mr.. Stevenson, al The close 1T the previous
session, in manner comp. He'd him TO further
dew lopmrnr OF his views, in reference to the
Administration, there can be no doubt, blu, that
Mr.. Stevenson would have contented himself
with the simple declaration, that he would
s'judge the administration By its nsea-
sures," and thereby leave the impression that he
was favorably disposed towards it.
Such is the amount oil the testimony affords
ed by the letter Of Col. Brent: which, so far
from furnishing proof in favor Of Mr.. Steven
sou, goes far, very far, towards corroboratIng
my statement; SO much so, tina, had not Nj.
Stevenson been possessed Of hat FLY he so
much condemns, he certainly would not have
published il Us vindica,ion. But he is equal
ly unfortunate in another part Of his testimony.
neon the extrac, which he takes from thr
Richmond Enquirer, and which he says ",Ods
based" upon letter Of his 10 the Editor Why
Mr. Stevenson should for the purpose Of sus-
tanning his ,eracity, confess tbs world, that
he was the author Of statement, which he
then knew, and which every body now knows,
was untrue. is what will not at,emp, to count
for; bu, such is the fact When, in January,
1925, Mr.. Stevenson wrote to the editor OF the
Richmond Enquirer, tina, Nj. Crawford was
quite ,CeH," SC. he must have known The fact
was otherwise; and yei he offers this statement
to the world to sustain his veracity. Sue n
statements nigh, be looked for from miniop,
who volunteers to stand at The hastings, and
aud make all sorts Of declarations Tor the pur-
pose OF carrying an election, but i, is certainty
unworthy of airy man who aspires to rank among
the statesmen Of this Republic.