Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-09-08

VI
would be HkeI, 10 think that he speaks, even
ON ordinary topics, and under ordinary clrcum
stances. with a degree Of warmth, which In our
Colder la,itudes, is excited, or by our Opinions
Justified, only by uncommon occasions. l ne re-
suit of all thai belongs TO his manner, is. that he
is DO h an imposing and persuasive speaker.
He fixes the attention and holds it as long and
as steadily, probably, as any man tha' mas ever
appeared in our halls OF legislature. Frank,
lofiy and disinerested, with power TO deiend,
aud capacity TO lead, he must necessarily De,
and WOULD always be, an important Individual
in any public assembly to which he might De-
long. Since he has been out Of Congress, his
public speeches have been principally such as
have been occ asioned by festivities 10 which he
has been Invited as a guest, in those paris oil
the country. where custom has rendered il in
dispeu.ahle on such occasions to make an adj
dress. Fas'idions friends and false friends, and
Of course enemies, have reproached hlm Tor
the frs quincy Of these efforts and have sought
10 deg ade him by fixing on him the apPella-
ton Of " table orator." Most Of this reouke
has originated in hostility, open or concealed;
and the rest IN want of attention TO the CIR
cums,ances IN which h has been placed. was
he 10 decline all invitations 20 such meetings,
from his fieSds and his neighbors, al time
when rmDest Of the grossest calumny was
beating upon him, from the presses II the in
rerest, I'VE do not use 100 strong phrase) II
those VINO sought 10 destroy him IL ne ae-
cep,ed the invitations, was he 10 follow the
custom Of the country, or was he TO break il
and BIZ silent? When he spokt IL was easy 10
say hat he would better have consulted his
dignity by being silent, bul, If he had bern ST.
len, il would have been as easy TO have inferred
f., n G,ct ihot "A
suitable occ aston to defend himself, I've had new
er,helrss, been able o make no defence at all.
lie has &C ed on he idea, hat public man,
attacked as he has been, mus, repel those at
tack,, no, once only, but often and always,
Ies the uncontradic'ed repe ition OF caluinny
should wear a channel for ii in the public opiu-
ion II is not always easy TO decide, when
SANDER should be noticed and when disregard
ed. In NJ. E. 5 Case, Thick the result has
shown that h" judged right, and acted wisely
His repeated indie atoms Of himself against the
charge Of bargain and corruption . oharge ~
Liculous enough IN Itself but in is eff CTS not
TO be despised-haye, in our opinion, contribu-
ted with other couses, to bring anout 'ha' just
and equitable reac ion Of public sentiment,
which, al The present momen', seems giving 10
his character Il new degree VI interest and I'M
por'ance. II seems TO US impossible mat eve.
~ far and honorable mind S ould moi rejoice
10 this zone OF sense, SANITY, and good feeling,
to which that portion of public opinion which
has departed from it appears to he returning
For ourselves, without looking 20 fu ure events
or contemplating the probability Of Mr.. Clay's
reform TO public Inf, we feel the snccrest pie
assure ir seeing him elevated, in the public Judg
menf, 10 lhe high aion to which his CHARGE
ter, his talents, and his services justly en'i'le
him.