Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-07
FOR THE ENQUIRER

N.
Candor and common sense look in vain through all of
the proceedings i'm this extraordinary case for something In
relieve us from the humiliang conclusion, that Sen
ase IS degraded TO an arena OF party strife, and medium
OF personal vengeance Not word against the per-
feet competency OF the Minister discharge the du.
ties with abity-Not a word against his character IA
man absolutely nothing like the shadow OF an obiec-
ton founded truthNothing but an affected squeam-
ishness Tor the honor OF the dead administration aud
mortal hatred to tho ving be found, by which ac-
count for OF the extraordinary occurrences in
the history OF our government
How does Senator Clay in this great dramal Like
himselt-the artiul asprant, sticking nothing to gain
his point He cannot suppose now that he has had time
to reflect that his motives be doubted upon any 9TH
er ground than that he has almost avowed them i'm his
speech They personal and party-purey So bv his
own showing, whatever professions OF duty he nauisi
tors veiD he may have thrown over them. Am asked
VINO made mo searcher OF hearts!' The answers H.
Clay That his motives personal appears in this
He scan sacrifice the ordinary cipity ndcoiesy which
in all past party strife had subssed between himself and
Mr. " b. from regard TO his obligations the people of
the u b and the honor and character of their govern
ment With "he people Of the United States and the
hon0r ana character Of their gOuernnent' upon his
tongue instead OF proceeding TO vindicate them by dis
cussing the merits OF the appointment before him. with
MS own peculiar syness and obquity of censure he
at the head OF the his malicious shaft
at MN who was placed at the head of that by
those people for whose honor he affects much concern
he verest dolt in Chstendom could be cheated by
such bungmg knavery All this may be down per-
sonal malice and envy.
That he had party motives appears this: In all that
lie says on what he styles his objection we find no.
thing American, but slight touch the American Sys-
tenn, when he tells us zee have not the privilege Of ma
nufacuring grain, because the farmers in the
part New York choose to sell their wheat in
Canada; suppose for the that they get more for
1t there than they could at home. mistakc-there is
something else Amerlcan-very classical, very new
nor very dgned for Senator 1t will be found in that
affecting passage in which he represents Mr. McLane by
the directions OF Mr. Van Buren,, assuming the attitude
OF the american Eagle crouching TO the British Lon
Such things used TO sound very pretiy about the time of
the revolution With these bright exceptions his main
objection exhibits nothing but shallow defence of the
encouragement OF himself while in power. Hence
conclude that he acted from party and personal motives
But there yet another party Objectionable Clay be-
heVes upon circumstances which satisfy ms o,cn mind
that to Mr. an Buren, TO be ascribed the odios sys
tenn Of prescription for exercising the eectipe franchise
an the United States Was there evidence of any such
thing before the Senate! There dngcnuo,lsness in
this part of his speech that would disgrace Jesuit Az
ter stating in general terms that wohy men had been
prescribed Tor exercising The elective anchise without
giving us any oil the which his beliefs founded
or shadow OF proof of the fact, he states that Mr. Van
buren, was OF the first among the Secretaries TO pro-
scribe Clerks known 10 be highly meorious and leaves
TO be inferred that they prescribed for exercising
me eecfre franchise lie dared not it, and come to
specialization and proof But really all this comes with
lovely grace from Mr. Clay, whilst he is himself in the
very act oil abusing and prescribing honest capable
cers oil the government for exercising their undoubted
political rights
The peroraon 10 this artful and mischievous speech is
very appropriate tail to such serpent. Even Mr. CLAW
since he has had leisure reflect must be perfecfIv as
sured that this speech, by its intrinsic backness will blot
out the stain put upon our Government bv Mr. Van I'm
rem and it forever; the blot REMAINING STIGMA m
on himself and his party He may effect to hope that the
nation may not be preludiced,' and that his will
elevate our national character. The people of England
who this speech, will weigh ii by its intrinsic me-
rts and MIR. Clay will be condemned by them aud by
every unprecedented man in this country, artl de-
magOgue ready TO sacrifice all moral worth all tho info
rests OF the country his morbid longing for the Presi
dency. Out OF his mouth will he be condemned
MARX it-wen H. Clay, any other, win his way TO
tiat nigh Office by such courses the time not far dis
tan when this Union will be found only among the things
that have been. r. S re