Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-24


of giving hi, opponents-all those who ei,hor oar-
cd his popularity or envicd his succcss--a triumph
over hm-That triuml they did obtain, for time;
but 10 the honor of the people of Kentucky, and
of popular government, they soon proved that they
could distinguish between their hatcrcrs and thor
friends. Thoy rejected the base bride offered them
by the relief party, and sound principles finally
prevailed
t cannot be questioned that if Mr{Clay had
thrown his weight into the opposite SCALE the relief
laws of kentucky would have stood no better chance
Of repeal than have the laws OF Georgia against tho
ChcrUkcos. To this act of firm and disintcrcsted
patriotism may be ascribed much of the hostility
against MIR Clay in his own State, and which look
ing out for of revenge, readily proiitcd by
his error, not in voting for MIR. Adams, but in ac-
cepting office under him. And should tic unwca-
ricd and not worry scrupuous efforts of his enemies
in that State backed by all the influence of the
general government seriously affect his interest in
the other States, it will do more TO encourage
machiavean politics, and prevent honest men from
opposing popular errors than even the glazing
ample of our present trimming President.
In the Missouri question too, MIR. Clay knew
that there was at first Il ory against him. And
although he could not have sided with tho Northern
States, he might have tcmporised-hc might have
boon lcss strcnuous-he might have trimmed and
halted between tho two parties, to portions OF Doth
of which he must look for future prcfermcut so as
to have Impressed upon tho party he was compelled
to oppose that he differed from them less than his
associates, and that his course was dictated not
|
disdaincd 20 make any such compromise with his
duty. With his cha racterstic boldnoes and zeal lie
bent the force of his talents and personal Influence
to prevent what he folt to be stigma and an IN
justice to one half the Union; and which, without
affecting the cause of civil freedom, making q
single slave the less. must have in time given up
thc slave holding States exclusively to 7black po-
pulation certainly that flock Of black and
white sncep, by taking from it but the white,
would soon or late become all black. 1t was ad.
United by the actors i'm that memorable political
drama that if Mr.. Clay's efforts adoccn les. hear
ty and efficient, his had been ofhat buck
stering character which marks some of our poI.ti-
clans, Missouri would not now have been State,
to which we could have sont portion of re-
dundant slaves
| Besides Mr.. Clay's moral qualities of frankness,
decision, courage, consistency and generosity, we
all know that his talents of the very first order
The world is probably, however, Under some mis-
take as to their peculiar character His eloquence
has often been regarded as his highest gift But
those who know him intimately valie him still less
! for his oratorical powers. great a, they unqucs-
| t!onaby are, than, for his consumnae Judgment
IN the practical affairs of life, his Eagaciiy in
estimating both the good and evil springs of I'm.
man action, tor most men JUDI res oil only one
class and his great powers of Argument. Mr.
Clay certainly declaims well, and addresses him.
self with great force to the feelings of his hearers
but he is never great when he appeals to
their understandings, and some of his discerning
friends have regretted that he hat not bent the
torcs of his powerful mind exclusively to this OBJ
Joot. 1t Is however, unnecessary to dwell on the
talents of MIR. Clay, as they are admitted both by
enemies and friends; and | shall, therefore in my
next number pass on to the other considerations
which recommend him to the SURFACES of Virgil
MA WYTHE.