Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-05-20

D'SH~t " COluW0td 10 mr.. (IdY'S last I'D
To the Peooie Of the United States.
FELLOW CIrIzESs:
lnfulhment ofthe intention heretofore announc-
ca by this Committee, we now proceed to lay be-
fore you reply to the late address of Mr. CLAW
This reply would have been made at a much ear
her period, but for the delay unavoidablv incident
10 the coiecuon oil the testimony of distant s. dis
persed witnesses, and other causes Of similar ma
lure Inc Committee have no reason, however
10 regret tho delay which has taken place, mas
much rs 1t has enabled them to exhibit an array of
testimony which goes to establish, beyond tire pos
sibiiity OF rational doubt the charge ola corrrp,
political bargain between Mr.. Adams and Mr.
Clay.
1t very far from our wish to cover any man.
public or private, with undeserved reproach. On
the contrary il should be the PRIDE as is the u-
ty OF every patriot, to protect public men from
causeiess attacks, and rescue them from unfound-
eel accusations But there is duty superior to the
pride OF national renown. When men whom the
people have delighted to honor, disregard and for
get their obligations 10 their country and them
selves, endeavor to say the foundations OF our free
institutions, and destroy the political family which
has given them power and distinction, il would be
treason TO our principles, country, and our
selves, not to expose their Vaccinations, ana dis
arm them OF power. National character without
liberty, is not worth possessing. 1t should be our
boast to maintain both. 10 that end, it becomes us
to expose the maZes Of intrigue, and visit with ex-
empiary punishment every violation of the rights
OF lreeinen, and every attempt, whether by force
management, or corruption, TO concentrate in one
or "a lew men, those powers which belong 10 the
people. BY promptitude and firmness in iat1cting
justice upon political Offenders, we shall not only
deter others from the preparation OF like enormies
but establish Tor ourselves, among the nations ofthe
earth, an exalted national character, merited as
il will enduring.
For Mr.. Clay, ask only that Justice which
he invokcs Ifhe has not, in the aspirations OF am
unrestrained ambition, abandoned the liberal prin-
ciples which were once his boast; if ne has not 10
secure his own aggrandiZement, disobeyed the
voice ci his country; IL lie has not as the III ans of
securing his own elevation induced Others 10 for
get their duty; II he has not sought to shut his ears
10 the voice OF the people, and when forced to hear
treated II with contempt; If he has not lecsued with
his personal aud political enemy TO divide the OIL
| ces and emoluInents of the government between
them, by mutual sacrifice of personal anipathcs
and political principles il he has not used the pow
er and patronage of Office, 10 bend an unwilling
people into reluctant acquescence in his political
arrangements. IL lie has not been guilty of most if
| not all OF these, then may he be n much injured
man. still deserving Of popular regard and general
comlniseration. IL Is firm conviction, founded on
the evidence before US. that hiss.s A. - g o.,
are gOiHy, and that, 10 suffer them to escape with
IMMUNITY, would be unjust, would tempt other poll
ticians TO seek elevation by similar means ana ul-
tima,eiy change our pure elective system OF go
! vaInment into one OF wide spread profgacy and
corruption, which induces 10 attempt their de-
| lection and exposure.
| The very titIe page ofhir. Clay's Address, is
specimen OF the disingcnuousness by which his
" hole course has lately been distinguished. 1t is
entitled IAN Address OF Henry Clay 10 the public
containing certain testimony reiuiation of the
1 charges against him, made 5y Gen. A. Jackson
touching the late Presidential election The char
ges embraced in the Address, are, that of making
proposition To General jackson TO make hin, Pre-
| sident condition that he would not make MIR
Adams Secretary of State, and ;hai ofvOting for
Mr.. Adams on condition that ne should be made
Secretary o. State himself
! The only ground on which General jackson is
accused OF making the first charge, is the statement
made by the General OF the conversation which took
/ place between him and Mir. Buchanan, and the
inference which he drew, that this gentleman had
come authorized by MIR. Clay. BY The statement
Oh air buchanan, appeared tia, the rsaliou
| took place, in substance, Gcneral jackson ead
stated General jackson had admitted, that in
this inference he might be mistaken, and might
have done injustice TO MIR. Clay. When Mr.
buchanan disavowed having come by the autto.
rity OF MIR. Clay, there seemed TO be al cid to
| this matter which made the array OF negative
testimony produced by Mr.. Clay, wholly unneces-
sary and gratuitous. General Jackson had stated
| that he might be mistaken. There ended the
FIRST charge, SO far General jackson was CON
cerned.
| To implicae General Jackson in making the
second charge, MIR. Gays reasoning is as illogical
! as his object is unjust and disingenuous. rhe
charge originated in thousands OF minds, and flow
| Clay's determination TO vote for Mr.. Adams be-
came publicly known. Mr. Kremers letter 20
the Columbian Observer, making The charge in
the broadcast terms, was dated the 25th OF Jan
uary, 1925 and published on the 2S:h. Mr.
Clay, OH the 3ist, in bis card, pronounced the
writer ga basc and infamous calumniator q bastard
and liar, and promised TO hold him responsible
IS 10 all the laws which govern and regulate the
| coEdTct of met OF honor" hIr. Kreiner ia
q another card" dated 3D. February, declared him
self" ready to prove, 10 the satisfaction OF unprc-
JUDGED minds, enough to satisfy them Of the ac-
curacy oil The statements which are contained in
/ that letter, 90 the extent that they concern the
course and conduct Of" ii. Clay" The first
movement OF hlr. Clay, was intended, by its yo-
ience and menaces, 10 deter every man from max
| ing charges against him, through fear OF being
| held e" responsible to the laws OF honor' Mir
| Kremcr's card sGggcsted TO him another course
no less artful. Z e Presidential election had no,
| yet taken place His vote had net been given:
the consideration ofthe bargain; the appointment OF
Secretary, had not been paid, and in the absence
oil these FACTS ii difficult, If not impossible 20
prove motives and intentiOns or, j strong circutn.
stantal evidence could be adluced, IL was still In
! tile power of Mr.. Clay to impress the community
with the belief, that the evidence as well as the
statement Of Mr.. kren.er, was founded In fuisao.
prehensioD, by refusing to accept the appointment
OF Secretary OF State. Instead Of challengmg-M r.
Ererncr, accordingly the laws Of honor ne there.
fore appealed to the II. Of r., and solicited an
| investigation. Mr. Krener ayoyged his readines.
TO meet il, and prove the charges, as made iH tn,
l6tter. BY rejecting the proposition made by MIR
| nj Dutne, the House refused TO receive evidence
corresponding with the charge and Mr. Kremer
not being able TO produce it in any other shape
! prudently abandoned the attempt, and left the
parties 70 complete their arrangements This fai.
lure to prove him guilty before the offence was
committed Mr. Clay, has, with his usua. art, ever