Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-12-09

We would earnestly invite the strict attention Of our
readers to the correspondence between Antmasonic
committee of Indiana, and Henry CLAW, found in to-
days paper Mr.. Clay has been mildly, ingenuously,
aud deliberately solicited to give public expression
of his sentiments concerning the institution of Mason
ry.
Mr.. Clay's reply to the Antmasonic committee, ex-
pcitly and concusvely evnces the attitude which he
has assumed in this important controversy.
Can any person suppose fer moment, that Mr..
Clays feelings aud sentiments concerning those inter-
estng topics, correspond with the cold indifference,
neutrality exhibited in his letter'
If the vice. folly and profanity attributed to the sys
TEN of Masonry--if the crime, guilt and moral de-
pravty imputed to the members of the Masonic In
sttution be false, aggravated the intelligence
and penetration of Mr.. Clay would enable him to de-
tect and expose the imposton-and the principles of
justice and truth would constran him to step forth in
vindicaon of his prosecuted brcthren and in protec-
tion of the sIandcred " Handmade. If, the other
hand, charges against the Masonic Institution and
its members, are founded in truth, Mr.. Clay, as an
honest man, would be prompted to aid in eXtermina-
ting the principles of society which in its structure
is so odous and in its existence, dangerous to civil
liberty Those positions incontroyertble; and the
differences irresistible. Either horn of the dilemma
must be taken, and If there is any difference,
Tin efect] ''they are both alike"
Again, agreeably to Mr.. Clay's logic, effort tc
correct any abuse, reform any vice. expose any crime
prescribe any species of criminality, nor sccfed
by he Constitution, 5|"WOULD BE AN ACT
OF uSURPATIoN OR TYRANNY."-kp
"a compliance on my par, with your demand,w ouit
amount to an implied admission that individual sent
ments, on the subject of Masonry, formed proper
consideration in regulating the exercise of the elective
franchise in respect to Offices of the Federal Govern
Inent-"
This is specimen of political logic truly novel. w
assert that "individua sentiment" Supported b!
candidates for public oce) have at every period, du
ring the existence of Republic, exercised sove
reign control the elective franchise At this time
g individual sentiments" concerning the .'America
System" is sealing the political destiny Of hundreds
perhaps thousands.
This or thar politician is promoted or prescribed
according to the public estimation of his sentiment
npon popular topics. This man was not elected, be
cause his (ttindvidual political sentiments un
popular thus we see that individual sentiments Away
Influence the elective franchise
We not disposed, in the present instance to Ger
slre III. Clay for not renouncing his Masonic predee
tionshis cosinexion with the Masonic Institution,
for not adopting the principles Of Ahtimasonry but W
tlo censure him for his Indirect evasve and equvoc;
answer to the committee who addressed him.
"Public men are public property, whom, the pei
pie have constitutional right to nterrogate upon a
subjects, concerning the interests, happiness, trar
qn'lity or prosperity, of the community or nation
which they belong.
An admission Of this fact implies the justice an
propliety of catechising H. Clay upon the importaI
Gubjects Of Masonry and Antimasonry. The commi
tee who made the demand, were conStitutionalY al
ti,nriaed, and Mr.. Clay, as candidate for public