Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-07-23
.tcD1,uotuU I


DO have preserved his cons istency of character,
which was his greatest Boast, Mr. Randolph should
not have accepted office the interests of the nation
could have suffered no injsry by his refusing it.
- Nor. Her.
The text and the commentary are equally true.
Another toast given in this city, equally caus.
tic, equally severe. because equally true. John
Randoph--the opponent OF every administration ex-
cept that which gave him Office
In his speech at Norfolk the Ambassa dor INDUCED
in strain remarkable for him. Candor. he said,
compelled him to acknowledge, that he did not ap-
prove all that the Administrative had done-but we
must make Observation-Disclosures was not to be
looked for We Gods-when did the Penipotentiary
grow so exceedingly charitable? Was it until be had
touched the S13.000? Heard ever any man, words
OF indulgence incucations of forbearance from him.
until the sop had not only been offered, but swallow
ed! Oh the virtue of the coil of Palms!" From
1907 to 1899, the public life of this gentleman an
lncessant snarl Every administration found him its
lDfexible encmy-every man trusted by TIE peo-
pie than hmself a malignant and unsparng critic
lie approved nothing, opposed every thing, making
emo allowances" for human imperfecion, yielding
no indulgence, ceditng nothing to good intentions
ALI who accepted office from Executive power fell
under the suspicion of his stern political morality
they were thought up, or chad got their re ward"
or had betrayed the people'-he only the faith
ful and dsnterested centlnel, whose public principles
contained no alloy of private ends. Suddenly, we
find this modern Cato transformed into most in
dulgent and am,abe Understanding in charity for
human inpsrfection, apologisng for the abuses of
power-"crooking the plant hinges of the knee"
not "that thrift might follow fawning," but because
IL had preceded it. Has the gentleman got his re-
ward Where is his jealousy OF power? his constitu-
tlonal tendency to opposition? his dsinterestedness
which disdaned lucrative Office? his Republican
pride, which would allow him serve none but the
People? Rvalling the talent of his favorite Midas,
the touch of the gold has converted all these things
intotlin air.
He endeavoured in his speech impress the belief
that something urgent, something that required a
special mission and hiS special talents conduct it.,
had induced him to yield his great repugnance to Of
flee. to the good of the nation; and others have Civ
en- out that this particular something the acqnis
ton Of the trade of the Black Sea. The reader has
observed, that this object for which MIR. Randolph
deemed his talents necessary has already been al
ed by Mr. Blind, of whom the reader never before
hoard! II was unfortunate that the news of Rhinds
success to explode the fiction What
then is the special that has prevailed on Mr.
to sacrifice his tastes and incnations, by accept
ing the Mission Russia? There was no such occa-
sion. The whole is invention, to- smooth the in
consistency of the with the professions of twenty
FIVE years
u5' The Literary Subatern, thus notices the allie
cation that the letter of Mr. Jefferson ON the subject
Of Mr. Clay, was not genuine That letter bears in
ternal evidence of genuinene etheess we sug-
gest to he Editor of the Subaern, doubts of its
authenticity have been expressed. either from SINGER
ity or for policy, 10 take eectua steps blsh
the fact that cavlling may be senced. Not that we
are OF the number who wallow thing because Tho.
Jefferson or any other man said ton the contrary,
think the slayish acquescence in his dicta evipc
cd by many, is discrcdable and mschievous-but to
repe the imputaton which has been cast upon the
Editors integrity, and that the opinion Of Mr. Jefer-
son may receive the argumentatiye weight to which
it is entitled To do this, we know no way SO eer
tain, for him to transmit the original letter to u.s.
Mr.. JefEerson's hand write is generally known here
and we will take that Mr. Richie himself shall
have his doubts removed
The editor OF the Boson Statesman, referring 20
the letter of Mr. Jefferson, recently published in this
paper where the late sage of Monticello speaks Of
Mr.. Clay in the most unqualified terms of commenda
ton and respect, quotes from letter written by Mr.
Thomas Mann Randolph, and addressed to the edi-
tors the Richmond Enquirer, where Mr. Randolph
says that he heard Mr. Jefferson saw that he consid
dered Mr.. Gay to be brilliant orator only, and to-
tally deficient in the requisites of the accomplished
statesmun. We are aware, that such letter was
written by Mr.. Randolph, end arc also aware that
the of it, well its language, is consis-
tent with, or corroborative Of facts 1t should be
recollected that what Mr.. Randolph asserts is
nothing but hearing evidence, whilst the contrary
what we have published with reference to what Mr..
Jefferson has said Of Mr.. Clay, bears the signature
the sgnet nlanua," of tina. illustrious statesman.
we PAT 1t to the Boston Statesman whether Mr.. Jei-
fcrso should be believed or the no1iticaI renortc
OF his words, Mr. Thom1s Mann Randoph.-If VIVA
Mr.. Jefferson asserts, and places his own name TO-
cannot 90 taken as matter of fact, what can be
believed, and what confidence can be placed in onv
one? Relative to Mr.. Jefeison's opinions OF MI
Clay and the American System, we have been eavor
ed with the copy of another Ietter from the esme
great man, to his friend in Massachusetts,, which VIC