Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-10-24
PDNaTHE.AA.
From the Political ARENA.
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.-No. IL.

Try IN as many high stations ho and in al, of
thcn,, lac has exhibited dogree of talent and udp-
incnt which the most prcjudccd of his enemies
have never called in question. He was many years
Speaker of the House of Representatives, (scvon,
tunk,) during the whole of which time he dis
charged the very delicate duties of that Office with
adcpoc of dignity, impsrtalty and firmness which
we have never seen equallcd. In tho debates on
The agitat!nG questions of War with Groat Britain,
and afterwards, on the admission of Missouri, he
was never charged with swerving from tho strict line
of duty, except by one whom no public man ever
long pleased. and whose ruling humour is a rooted
aud bitter discomfort, beth with the world and
himself. We may estimate this merit from its rar.
ity, for of all our presiding officers IN both houses
l know not one who has obtained the same praise
Tor all the qualities have mentioned.
vi tho part he took in vindicating the outrag cd
rights OF his country, neutral and independent
nation, have already spoken. The merit CT the
noble and truly patriotic course he then pursued is
indeed shared by MIR. Calhoun and others, but Mr.
Clay from tho greater influence derived from his
Talents and station, unq estonaby entitled to the
largest share. Some of you may yet racoect that
the opposors of the with Great Britain cast on
him the chief opprobr!um of that bold but nccessa
nv measure.
Having been thus instrumental in rousinp tho
nation to avengo its inSultcd rights and honor he
was also one OF its principal agents in negotiating
an honorable peace, under the very untoward cir
cnmstanceso occasoned by the political reverses of
Napoleon, Tho public not informed of what
part each OF our live ENJOYS took in the gotation
mind and characteristic knowledge of mon bis
frank manners and his happy address, all warrant
us IN believing that he is entitled to full share of
VIC eredit due TO that act of successful diplomacy
= II report speaks truly, although the written cor
rcsponuence OF our ENJOYS entrusted TO tho
more practised and polished pen of Mr. Adams
Tho personal cxertons of Mr. Clay contributed
largely to furnish tho materials
In settling the Missouri question his services
were confcstedy gre than those of sny other
individual AS that question was finally carried
by single vote, 1t is fair 20 say that but for Mr.
Clay's powerful and persoverng efforts and his
influence on individuals, the thousands of slaves
which are now in Missouri, would have either adj
ded to that class of our population in Virgini,.
(Which is still larger than we wish it TO bel or
angnonting that of the southern states, have
still further increased tho already redundant crop
OF cotton. In either way he has bsen our bene
factor, and the service thus rendered has been At
the cost OF no other part of the Union.
1t Mr.. Clay, as Secretary of State, did not
OBTAIN the same success as he had done in the
capacities OF legislator, speaker and foreign min;
lister, the difference NAV be attributed to INV
tlng rather than to his of ability or patriot
ISM In indicating the interests of his country
abroad, he had to contend against the united forco
OF foreign antagonist and domestic opposition
The present administration make loud vaunts of
their skill in their foreign negotiations and CON
trast their successes with the failures of their prc
dccessors, But they forget at tho same time to
contrast the very different circumstances of tho two
present opposition when compared with that which
they themselves pursued when opposing Mr. A.
dams Ibe administration of Gen. jackson has
been permitted to bring the whole wcipht of the
nation to bear in each of is negotiations with
foreign powers The opposition has either been 81
lent, or 1T has actively supported the claims of the
government both on England and Franco But
When the administration OF Mr.. Adams was pres
sing the same just clans, thee were found citizens
among us, aye, and men calling themselves patriots
too, who taskcd their ingenuity both i'm CONGRESS-
and the public journals to shcw that in the points
IN dispute, VIC were wrong and the foreign nation
was right. They ereu porscvcrch in the same
shameless course after they had tho majority in
congress. Under such circumstances what chance
had 'he administration to bring any negotiation to
a sncccfSiui issucl In orr late negotiation with
Great britain, tho nntiJackson papers have been
passive, and in that with France they have given
as much support to The government "a MS asorod
friends Had they, in the mad zeal of party pur
sued tho same Pcrycrsc course had been pursued
ny thcIr opponents, my life it that all tho caiol
ing OF Mr.. McIano, and all the romonsrances nj Nr
Rycs had been Intellectual. Yet the friend, If IN
neral jackson arc claiming for him tho credit
OF doing but part of which Mr. Adams would
nave done but tor their scandalous opposition and
what they themselves could never have effected br,
Tor the forbearanco of their opponents to follow
their evil example So much for the late admins
tra'ions want OF success in its foreign negotiations
AS to the ability with which its state papers were
drawn II was Acknowledged by the .opposit3on
fol
Mr.. Clay, By ascribing what he is known To ho,e
written to the pen of Mr.. Adams.
II would seem thoH, fellow citizens from the nrc
ccdlng, review, that whether we regard air lav,s
talents moral qualities public sc ryices he stands
before ell his competitors No individual Of our prc
sent race Of Statesmen has done 20 Innch for the
FcPubIc-no ono is capable of doing so much here.
nitcr-no ore Judging Of the future from the mast
can give IN trC stton tho same satisfactory ass,,
rance hot he will exert his energies in its behalf
But IN spite oil these strong recommendations oF
sir Clay Virginia, it is said, cannot vote for hin,
from impcrOus considerations of policy lie
maintains the doctrine that the general government
has the powcrof making roads and canals he is in
favor OF protecting duties, ard he is pledged To .o
party which supports him to support these r,rir,i
pics with all his influence. Not dcnyjnr that on |
these points, Mr. Clay differs from a ,ngiortv If
inc people of Virginia, str think chat. in the |
present contest she ought to support him, for the
following reasons:
questions OF national policy, Gen. Jackeor. tho
only candidate who has any chance Of esccres
iocs not essentially differ from Mr. Clay. In civ
ny his veto on the MiysviIle Road Cen. J,rkson
'ncquIYocaIIy admitted the power of making roads |
% rational character, and do not understand
Nat Mr. Clay has ever contended for any greater |
'owcr- or If he has the practical effect Of such an
Ntenslon of power would he so inconSdcrablc ne |
o make the difference between them altoged,er
HnnPortant. II the general government were
nco permitted to make roads that were upouest;on-
Dy NATIONAL lIere would be nothing left for those
hat were merely local As to The ofb,r s,,toc, &c Z
ro'cctng manufactures, although VIC know not &
bat arc Gen. Jackson's precise opinions ON the
AFFECT, nor whether hc has auv vel Il; is cIcar ilt
h2F 10 o5jcctioI. 20 such farif rs viii eatisQ,
-en9sy lvanls; aud THIS Is suite az n,uek rs Mr.