Delaware patriot & American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1828-1828, 1828-03-14

OF Maryland.
Consistency is nothing in the life and conduct of
politician that gives greater weight bis principles and
ncnes the people to confde in his integrity, than
consistency While he fearessy procaims his sentiments.
and offers his opinions the public for appreciation, dis
appreciation they may deem proper upon Investigations
if he be consistent with himself he has little apprehend
from the decision 1t is expect ed that any man can
be always right, and small fobles will uniformly be orgv
en-, when they arise of in judgment. Mistaken
zeal not unequeny leads astray, but when it is re-
membered that this proceeds from honest ador adj
vance the interest for which it is engaged is generally
overlooked But when mc and especially those in rub.
lie stations and who have enjoyed general confidence,
found, deyiate from the principles which lave been APP
proved by their practice and sanctioned by the reward of
public favor, it natural consequence that that favor
should be withdrawn The for such derelctlon
will be inquired into, and sometimes canlly examined
but when they found be based in selfish views when
it is discovered that principle cast off like out
garment aud the public trusts confed such niivd
ua abandoned fol the sole purpose Of advancing his
ambitious wishes, either OF fortune, Of fame Of pow
err the people have heretofore dismissed from their
vice such men, aud their ades and ahctors That they VIII
continue do So there be doubt long free go.
vernment, and republican institutions dear TO tnem
| There are few, who TO not knnw, that formerly Mr..
Clay used boast, the floor o. Congress OF his deter
mnaton to be governed BY the viii OF his constituents.
matter how il should be made known him, and there
fewer who do not know, how. in the face of these
solemn declarations and in the face of the clearly express
sed will Of his constituents, he abandoned them and his
principles together, in the late presidential electionThe
object of this article is not to dwell upon this branch of
Mr. Cays conduct that has already been presented to the
public in every variety of force and energy hut to cali
their attention another and not less important deviation
from the path Of recttude, not generally understood
Previously to the election of Mr.. Adams MIR. Clay err
tertaned and expressed opinions against Secretary
son and taught the people of Kentucky to believe that
he was sincere in them At the time he expressed them
lie was doubtless sincere. indeed they in accordance
with his previous conduct, and seemed to emanate from
the same principles that he had often declared his
polar starIn circular published before the last Presen
ta he says at is high time to take the aarm-tha
should object to any who not the free and regular
choice of the people-Messrs Jefferson and Madison
had each appointed his successor-that Mr. Monroe and
his presses now designated Mr.. Adams the heir ap-
parent and the next the presdency-but
hope this precedent will be followed no further"
These were not only the opinions of Mr. Clay but
proved by the electoral yote the opinions Of alsrge mao
ty of the people of this country So far he and the people
were together had been the from the beginning of
his public career, and aho to him the parting must be
solemn one, yet trust there is separaon that will
continue during season of wholesome probston that
the people cannot remove unless like him, they take to
their bosom an enemy unless like him they abandon virtue
and principle.
But short period after he had procsned these sent
ments to which the hearts of many of his counrymen
responded, when his situation is changed reatveyo
his future hopes hear from him, expressions dianetr
caly opposed those. and opposed also TO the whole
course Of his life. After he had made bargain, with Mr.
Adams, and had himself become the heir apparent he
declares in public address that he in the election
of Mr. Adams the establishment of no dangerous exsm
"ple but en- the contrary, only conformity TO line Of
/" safe prcccdents."
In the first place he calls upon the people to take the
alarm " "obect TO every man who not their free and
regular choice >; denounces by inuendo "Jefcrson and
Madison for each appointing his successor and "Monrce
and his presses for designating Mr. Adams as the heir
parent and "hopes the precedent will go no urthcr
Why? Why sound the alarm" condemn the Secretary
and call upon the people TO stop the "prece
dent -The is pan--becausc he believed to be
dangerous TO the liberties of his country.
In the second place, in opposition to his own declared
principles he gravey says it is line of safe prccedens
What changes :he nature Of the thing suddenly Moth
ing The nature of the is the in ITSELF but Mr.
CIays situation changed. He has by driving
full bargain become "heir APPARENT" and to crown him is
safe precedent ito CRAFTY his ambition the sacrifice
of principle and the liberties Of the people, he calls "fo
lowing safe precedent"
Such inconsistency, such want political principle, has
placed gulph between Mr. Clay and tho people, which