Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-07-31

opinion Of John Quincy Adams. That opinion
was changed by public documents, ana the re-
prest ntations Of Mr.. Clay relative TO his con
fuc, a, Client. Mr.. Clay considered Mr.. Adj
ans his most dangerous rival, anu against nun
was all his artillery directed 1 wrote se'
r;es Of letters addressed to MIR. Adams. review
inc his conduct in relation TO the GheEl nego-
station. which Mr.. CLAW highly approved, aided
in having Them reprinted in pamphlets, aud
in giving them circulation. My lime, my la
Dor, an my money, we've all laslshed, without
expectation of rreompense, to advance MIR.
CLAW. i'll owed him or his family any oblga'.
lions, they were richly repaid In Mat contest.
Mr. Clay made Mr.. Adams r esident.
would no, support Mr. Adams; but did not
wish to oppose MIR Clay. My feelings towards
his es,imabe lady determined me to remain
neutral. For almost two yesrs ! maintained
tina, attitude. Idesired 10 maintain II through
out The contest; bu, found that, IN our local
controversies, the whole weigh OF Mr. ! lay
and his political friends, with the power OF the
National Admiaisira ion, vas thrown agains'
me, my friends, and my principles Nv ms al
vocates and dependents was slanderec anu
abused They combined to wi hdraw from me
all punlic and private paronag+, to destroy my
sharac.rr, and reduce my family o degradation
and hcgga,y. Iftit tina; Mr.. Clay was migrate.
t.l saw. or thought ] sas, thai, with cold
and calculating ambition, he was willing 10 see
his tcsi personal friends trampled IN the dust
10 gain the supper of thai unrelen ing mao
iiy which then domineered over k"ntucky.-
Not public duty only, but the duty OF sell. pre-
strya,iou, required Of me TO take decisive
stand. As much as ! respected Mrs Clay, !
loved my own wife and children more. Yet
merely resumed my opposition ~ Mr.. Adams,
and passed over Mr.. Clay in sieoce. The az
ter soon exhibited decisive marks OF his DIS
pleasure, and finally made public attack on
my ,eracily and honor. Having drawn The
sword, nov threw away the scabbard, aud you
know the result.
In reviewing my course, have but one
thing to regret. 1t is, thar did not, regard
less Of all impu,aIons, rake decisive stand
apains, the union of Messrs Adams and Clay
in 1926 Ene,D that Mr.. Clay violated the
will OF his S:a!e; kne,o that the union was
interested and selfish Instead Of being silent,
I ouga, boldly to have denounced it. ] ought
TO haze been as sensible as am now, that no
common obligation Of private friendship, and
no fear IF imputed insratitude, can justify a
public man in winkng al violation O! the fun
DANE ntal principles Of our free institutions -
On this poin, ] am guilty, but ann not guilty
Of the g. sin Of ingraitude." Fear OF encoun-
terine the charge, false as it is, combined with
my r., pee, for Mrs. Clay, made me sin agains,
nv country.
Ouph, the sons Of New England, emigrat-
ing to other chimes, toiose every sense OF per-
sonal indie pendenoe, and consider themselves
the slaves or the ,nercenaries OF any great
man Of the Wes- or the South, in whose house
they change 10 reside or be sisk Must lbfsy
sent TO De degraded, perse Cuted, and reduced 20
poverty and misery. with their wives aud chill
dreH whenever IL suits the interests, The an
brtion or The caprice Of their master! Is this
thu spirit which New Eng land inculcates upon
he, emigrat,ng Children! know her better
She desires them every ~"ere TO maintain their
independence, their integrity and their honor.
Have done less! How have l abused Mr..
Clay? Have attacked him In his family or
private concerns! Have disclosed rhe secrets
Of his 6re>side! Have charged him with
gambling, Drunkenness kwd"ess, or any 9th
er private vice! Have I, in the violation Of
every principle wii' b honorable men h Id sa,
cred, assailtd The wife 81 his bosom! No
man charges me with these offences. have
no. zone through society 70 hunt up his pri-
va,e Obligations" for rhr purpose of dragging
Irem before the public l. is his public acts
and character only which have been subject to
my anlmadvrrsion Even he confidence of
our political intercourse and correspondent
was never violated by me until he set the ex-
ample.
hope you do not wish 10 discourage thai
enterprise and perseverance which gives char
ac:er 70 New England. farmrr ~ Dunsa-
HE is my father. l. Ike other tanners boys In
that section of our connlrY, until was 'l6 wears
old my lot was one II inces.ant toll. The free
schools and parental Instruction, furnished my
only education BY the lid of my father and
my own exeriio,s, was enabled 10 graduate
d, Dartmouth College, at he age Of %. whe,
the Pr, sident and Professors ranked me al the
head Of my clsss Two and half years |
studied law N Gro,on, and then emIgra,rd 10
the West When lal!td on The Kentucky
shore, there was not, SO far as knew, a face
in The S ate which had ever seen, not drop
Of Kindred blood in the veins of any one of her
citizens. Her electors sent me 10 this city last
wnt. T., to Law her vote for President y. fore the