Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-09-07

Extract from, Introductory Remarks" to az. Clay's
i Speech, by "Citizen Of Virginia"
I'VE have before referred to this pamphlet
and are sure our readers will be pleased with
the annexed extract from ii:
"No man who ever lived in this country has
been the obiec, Of more uniiring and relent-
less system of calumny, than IiENRY CLAY
No, content with having expelled him from
the Public Councils his enemies seem resolved
TO leave no effort untried, which malice can in
vent, to torture their victim. They seem unwil-
ling that he should find repose even in the sane
tuary of retirement; and, having succeeded in
hunting down their game, they are still hurl-
ing their poisoned arrows at his reputation and
peace There is scarcely a vice or foible, Of
which an individual can be guilty, that is not
charged upon this eminent and abused s,ares.
man There is hardly a single expression
which escapes his lips, or solitary action ct
his life, that is not seized upon and malicioUsly
perverted by his foes Does Henry Clay return
10 the bosom of his adop'ed STATE, and is he
| greeted at the festive board by the hear wei
comes and SITUATIONS of thousands Of his old
| friends and constituents, he is sneerIngly de-
nonoed as a table orator. Docs he boldly
vindicate his own hisn AID honorable course,
and arraign the tyrannical and proscrip'ive mea.
sures Of The present Administration, ht is in
stan,ly charged viii disorganizing and restless
ambition There is 40: hing who" hs can say
no matter ho~ true, how solemn or worthy
Of the most profound coIsidef alton OF The Anne
rican People, which is not ascrihed 20 the mean.
est personal motives. All his great and dis
linguished services his invincible hrmpcss,
during he war with England, when dlisatFec
ton had reared her front. and threatened even
disunion and submission seem now 10 have
been Forgotten. His noble exrriions and sym
pathies for struggling liberty in Other parts of
the Globe, are now cast back upon him as
reproach. His skill as dipIomatist, in re-
storing peace to this bleeding land his unri-
vailed efforts IN building up his coun'ry's pros
peritv, and guarding her interests against ihe
commercial rapacily Of foreign nations; his
fearless and successful compromise of the Mis-
souri, question, which threatened to light up
the flames of civil war; his eloquent denun-
citation Of military usurpation and misrule; all
these and many more acts Of devoted patriot
ism, are no longer remembered, or, il remem-
bered, are cruelty and wan,only wresled 10 his
injury"
al, has been said by the enemies Of free gov
ernmen', that Republics are ungra,efuI. The
worthless Of dis inguished Rome-of Arislides,
Miltiades, and other great names Of Democrats
ic Greece, are cited as examples Of this blight,
ing stigma upon Free Institutions. Shall it be
said in after times, that America has aided. ano-
Their TO this odious catalogue? Shall the ene>
mics of freedom point to Henry Clay as pub
lie benefactor, inundated by public mgr atitude?
Shall This friend Of liberty and of mau-this
eloquent asser,er Of his coun,ty's rights-.,his
unrlvaIled orator and s'atesman--this patriot
without guile or ceamenr, be delivered over
to The fangs of his tormentors; and shall his
county look calmly on whilst the sacrifice is
performing? Justice, honor, and virtue forbid!
If The human heart is not entirely callous and
corrupt, there is yet in this nation redeemIng
spirt-a sentiment which will take sides with
the. victim Of persee u'ion, and will render am.
pie though tardy justice 1t is this Spirit
which will especially encircIe him-whilst his
own towering and uusubdued mind furnishes
he highest evidence Of conscious rec titude