Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-09-04

tif" mat mas ever appeared IN our halls of Legsla-
f"re Frank, lofty, and dsinerested, with power 10
deend, and capacity to lead, he must necessarily he
nni would always be, an important individual in any
public assembly to which he might belong. Since Inc
has been out OF Congress, his public speeches have
been principally such have been occasioned by
'ertWities to which he has been invited as guest in
those parts OF the country, where custom has render
ed it indispensable such occasions to AXE an adj
dress Fastdious friends and false friends and of
course enemles have reprOaced him for the frequcn-
cy ofthese Efforts and have sought 10 degrade him
ny fixing on him the appellation of table orator
Most ofths Yebuke has originated in hostility, open
Or concealed; and the rest in want of attention to
Inc circumstances IN which he has been placed
Was he to decline all invitations to such mee,inus
from his friends and his neighbours, at time when
tempest OF tue grossest caumny was beating upon
mn, from the presses in the interest, 1--WE do Use
too strong term) of those who sought To DESTROY
him? If he accepted such invitations was he to fol-
low the custom OF the country, he to break
and be silent? When he spukc it was easy to say
iiat he would better have consulted his dignity by
being SILENT but If he had been SILENT it would have
heen as easy to have inferred conscious guilt from
The fact, that, having suitable occasion to defend
hnseli, he mad, nevertheless, been able make no
defence at all he bad ucted on the iies that a
public man, attacked as he has been, must repel
those attacks, not only once, but often and always
lest the uncontradicted repetition of caunny should
wear Channel for It IN the public opinion. 1t is not.
always easy to decide, when ner should be motto.
ed aud when disregar6ed. In MIR. C's case we
think the result has shown that he Judged ripht nd
acted wisely His repeated vindicatiOns of himself
against the charge OF bargain and corruption-a
charge RIDICULOUS enough IN itself, but in its effects
lpt TO be despised-have, in opinion contributed
with other causes, to bring about that Just and eau
Table reaction of public sentiment, which, ut the pre-
Sent moment, seems giving to his character new de-
gree of interest and Importance. Ii seems to us
impossible that every fair and honorable mind should
rot rejoice i'll this tone of sense, sanity, and good
feeling, to which that portion of public opinion winch
HAS departed from 1t appears to be returning For
nIuao l,,py
tempating the probability of Mr.. Claws return to
public life, we feel the sncerest pleasure in seeinr
him elevated, IN the public judgment, to the hiei
station to which his character, his talents, ami his
services justly entitle him
Bot we do not, nevertheless, conine ouseves en-
trSly to this abstract view of the We think
81 hardly probable that Mr.. Clay is destined to pass
the remainder of his life in his retreat at Ashlsnd
Standing think he does ut this very moment al:
object of more interest and regard than any other
tnan in the United States, there is evidently nutlnn
60 keep him out of the sphere of political action but
ne single event. the probability Of which never great
ahpears TO be fast diminishing; and that is, that TIN,
persons now In power shall conduct the concerns
OF government Us ' just occasion for oppo-
sition. For DIR humble selves, We free to say
that in opinion, the first leading measure of the
present administration has been such as should ava
ken the attention and alarm of all intelligent friends of
sire constitution. This leading measure is, general
change, in oil the offices Of government, from, rnotircs
snereiY personi attempt to form combination 10
SELF 1t Is not mainly that sympatliies are ava
kened by@he removal of men from the little employ
ments under government, who have been bred to these
employmens and have other means of living; al
t..oug, We are far, very far from discluimng such
sympathy, and from scotng at the expression of it as
nnbecoming whining. Our objection lies deeper.
The principle of this mode of administration is hos
tile to the spirit OF the constitution and the existence
of the government. If this bad example is to be fol
lowed, entertain not the shadow of doubt, that
in less that twenty years will overtun this govern
ment. 1t is inquiry with US, to what extent, or
whether to any extent, the present administration
finds example, apology for IFS conduct in the
course pursued by Mr.. Jefferson. IL is enough for
lrs, that, in Judgment the constitution cannot
endure such course of administration. Gen. Jack.
seems to have acted as II he possessed all the
power and patronage of the government by right of
conquest. He disposscsses actual ncunbcnts, and
parts out and divides the spoil among his followers
ond retainers. IN the true spirit of cengueror He
thinks all offices his, existing for he's use, and re-
ward hi friends; and as far understand or can
trace the course and causes of his appointments, no
une case exists in which any consideration has pre-
vailed over personal attachment, or the profession of
such attachment, to himself. Now ask all refec-
ting men, !? any thing tend more to demoralize
the country, It any thing can tend more to make all
good sick OF the government, and weary of its
fluctuations and changes, and finally to break it up
and destroy it. than TO bear contest every four years.
in which contest is involved the personal interest Of
cry individual officer from the highest to tho lowest?
How long can the constitution stutd the successive
shocks by oil that are out, against ali that i'll
both parties being excited, not by any preference of
particular measures, not by honorable ambition, but
by direct, personal pecunary INTEREST," Add to tins,
that excements given the press, that great
lever of public opinion, and motives addressed to it,
of all others most likely shake its independence and
degrade its character The conductors of the leading
crosses themselves the chief objects of regard,
the dspensation ofthe rewards bestowed It's adhe-
rents by the heads Of triumphant party. Andin
Cases these offices appear to be held without dis
connecting the incumbent from that which proved
the cause of his advancement. We have already
partly arrived IA that state of things III which the
Treasury will have presses, and the Departments Of
State War, and Navy, and tho Post Office viii have
presses. Partnership personal association, lndivld
i,al combination obtain office, III word faction,
in all it is qualifications, and all It's odious features
with this new and extraordinary character about it,
That it is faction under the patronage of Government,
is endeavouring seize upon tue whole power Of the
country This is our vieW Of the subject at least
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