Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-08-06
TsY REaUEsr.1

My DEAR J.--Some time has now elapsed since
we last parted and you returned to your residence in
Tennessee. where you resided more or less during
most of the heat and rancour which marked the fierce
Presidential contest. Twas then and there you
had pretty ample opportunity of hearing from the
best of sources little of the private and the pub
lie character of Gen. Jackson; and in the numerous
letters had the pleasure Of receiving from you de
rived much information in respect to the temper and
early habits o, that conspicuous individual. You
nor had no idea that he was man of such despe-
rate character when first knew him, or had in
tervew with him at Washington, on his first visit to
that city shortly after the war-ahough you then
telt and expressed poor contemplate opinion of his
talents and literary requirements and time and CIR
cuinstances have fully realized the views your quick
intuitiye mind took of him. An! little then did we
think that popular phrenzy and violence party epr
IT would ever madly elevate him a station In our
country so lofty, proud and responsible and for which
he had not one single qualification, physical moral!
And as little did we dream that he was the who
at future day, wac to rule the destinies of such
nation ours, and scourge much as in his power
all that should dare to assert that unfitness and
all who were neutral positive his favor
say we then little thought that should have
such tyrannical, unreenting the head of our
once happy Republic But rely upon 1t, his reign
will be short it will be inglorous you as well
as cannot help seeing In the nature of things,
such a wicked, partial and imbece adrninsi ration
cannot possibly stand 1t must fall by the weight
OFF own eaormities and the sw eping currents OF
popular indignation and disappointment, which
acquiring additional strength daily and rapidly You
cannot help witnessing, your extensive excursions
through the United States, Jackson's growing unpo
pular,ty with all parties among the most intelligent,
well as the less enlightened You also see it in
all the "Signs the Times'-and while you witness
the slow but certain decline of the great and mon
strous mighty Gen. jackson, you sec assuredly the
majestic advances of great favorite Henry Clay,
who though covered with persecution and ISLANDERS,
will burst through them like the orb of day which
when obscured by passing cloud, dispes ii and re-
appears with fresh majesty, briancy and splendour.
This is the man whom the bitterness of party and
lprcv has nd g.
but the mass of the people cannot always be blinded
or duped he is triumphantly rising and Will eventual
~ rise paramount to all his foul caumniators and in
the tide of increasing popularity he will anchor IN the
confidence and affections of patriotic people. Such
a man deserves to be honored-he has been ernphati
cay the illus rious architect of his o,on fortune ha-
wing risen upon his own merits without the adventI-
tIous aids OF early education, BIRTH he influence of
weigbty friends and connections. Nelthe was he
born to any proud patrmonial estate-but poor and
pennyiess, and coming from the yeomanry of the
country and the pebian ranks, he pushed his way with
dauntess enterprise to deathless honor and renown,
and his fame as jurist statesman and diplomaist,
will be inscribed on the proudes page of his countrys
history
the greatest injustice wherever it has been in his
power and was amongst the foremost in candestine-
ly intoxicating and countenancing the sickening song
of "bdrg1tn, management intrigue, X c.-this bare
faced eectioneering device certainly had its effect
but II longer believed by the liberal and in
teligent and shame has bushed its disgusting sound
General Jackson has been the mortal enemy of
Mr. Clay ever since his celebrated speech on the Sc
ninoe war, in which he takes his stand on the side
of hls country and her laws, in opposition those
violations OF the Constitution generally committed
by Gen Jackson In the of Arbuthnot and Am
brister, we'll in the forcble SEIZURE the Span
ish posts For this patriotic exposure of his outra-
geous acts and for his on the Presidential
election he never will forgive him. You think nv
dear j., with me that it is strange and wonderful
how Mr.. Clay could be blamed for refusing to sustain
such man in his Pretensons to he Presidency-nad
he done so he would have acted inconsistent
part. How could you vote for any man to fill any
Office when you were convinced be was totally unfit
for it, and you saw another opposed to him as can
didate Tor It, better qualified IN every respect, whom
you might bestow your vote? Precisely in this stu
alton was placed Mr.. Clay, in regard jackson and
Adams UDmeasured censure and abuse were pour
ed out upon him not only for his vote, but because he
accepted the appointment of Secretary of State IN
der Mr. Adams How absurd would his enemies
have said was it for him aid in eevatiBg man to
the hrs office IN the Republic and then to dsdain to
serve under him. 1 hope the generous public will
acknowledge, what 1T appears TO impossible to
deny, that Mr.. Clay was placed in most delicate
and peculiar situation, and that it was utterly i'm
practicable for him to have acted in any way without
mourning censure from quarter The most in.
lightened and eminent Jackson men are coming ont
and acknowledging ell this, md acgulittng him of
all improper motives. IL is sincerely to be hoped
that since his great antagonist has taken such delight
IN the temporary prostratlon Of Mr.. Clay that the
latter will the day when he will enjoy an bonoYa
bic triumph him and all his parasites and syco
phants-and then at the head of a great nation he
in the plentude of his imperial talents and spen
did requirements write his message to Congress-
as well as to the people, the sovereign people-and
will insure it he will never say it by his acts that
s'revenge is s,oeet-and delight in ndiscrimnate
sacrifice Of all that opposed him. His feelings are
too noble and elevated he is too generous and brave
to do any thing like this. All the rood and brilliant
acts achieved by Jackson in his military career can
eounterpose the tyranny and barbarity display
cd in many instances wherever he had the power
81 .
acter the scabs and blotchcs which mpart TO it SO
much darkness and hdeous deformity. The signal
revenge which he has chosen to take in the cases of
those who dared to oppose his election is powerfully
portrayed in the letter Of Mrs. Barney, which sup
pose you have time since read. That beautiful
letter is most affecting and eloquent appeal 20 the
sympatbles, the honor and the humanity of every true
hearted American; and well deserves TO be circulated
through all time md