Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-10-04
Ma. CLAY.


ed 10 a species Of SANDER which he could not
descend 10 answer, and which is of so petty
nature that it can be easily repeated with
out fear Of serious contradiction. With some
slight grounds on which to build, An airy fab
ric of error is soon erected. Thus it is with
the oft repeated assertion, repeated so often
aud so hippanily as 10 be bel by thous.
ands who have forgotten the facts. or who
ney.r'knew them, that Mr. Clay, in pub
lie speech had invoked of Heaven, "W6a,
PEsrILEKcE and FAMIaE," rather than the
election of Gen Jackson There Is hardly
partisan editor. a stump orator, or other per
son of that stamp, "wearIng the collar" who
has not learned TO echo this sentence, g. cry
Dout against its supposed author for the enor-
mity of the sentiment. How often have we
seen il in flaming capitals: how often have
we heard IL vociferated by bawling lungs
The truth Of the story lies IN the fact, that
MIR. Clay made Use Of the words, war, pest
lence and famine: '.the head and front of his
offending has this extent; no more" In
speech delivered 10 Baltimore in May, 1928,
Mr. Clay spoke Of the dangers which have
befaIsn all republics from a blind devotion
/ TO military power: he protested against the
! doctrines that were then put forth from the
Capitol and from popular assemblies-tha
! the Philips the CAESARS. the Cromwells, the
| Mariuses and the Scyllas Of former ages were
| genuine lovers Of liberty-be Indignantly
commented upon the fact that, for particular
purposes, Caesar and Cromwell had recently
I found apoossts for their tyranny and usur
| patton -and declared as his deliberate optn
ion. that "Liberty and the predominance OF
! thesuiaarg principle were incompatible: ="
! Thus belleyng, he added as follows: -"lf
indeed, we have incurred the divine displea
sure, "and be ii necessary 10 chastise tlr PEG.
"ple with the rod Of his vengeance, would
:. hunhy PROSTATE myself before Him. and
| :" impiore his mercy 10 visit our favored land
6 with war, with famine, With pestlence,
with any scourge other than military rule,
OF blind and h6thess enthusiasm, for mere
"Mgittasg reno,ri. And now we would ask,
where is the repubticGa. who would not a
dept this sentiment. What would he the
temporary ard partial evils Of either of tire
scourges mentioned, TO the lasting and de
structive miseres which would result from
that kind OF "DiiftDry r,te" viii Ii alll; ted
France under Napoleon, or that "blind and
needless enthusiasm for III re military re
nown" which has devastated both ancient &
modern Europe burnt cities-slaugh tercd
! citizens made widows and orphans: and ri
yetted the chains Of slavery ,i6on millions Of
| the human race2 To state words is to an
| swer it. To quote Mr. CIay's words is to 81
hence the Islander OF his defamers, and prove
HIM a.trne American Republican, warm with
his love OF country, and anxious only for her
tree''oni and glory.
II. Another fabricated charge against MIR
| Clay is that he Threatened to make develope-
| ments relative to Mr.. Adams, with regard to
| the negotiations at Client. that would aston
ish the nation, and that "beIng made Se
cretary of State by that gentleman, ne has
since suppressed these developments" This
! SANDER, like the other, has had great curren-
! CIV and is, even now, dairy nsed for the pur
pose Of iniurng Mr. Claws character. MARI
how plain tale shah put II dowr!" Speaking
! Of the controversy between Mr.. Adams ant
Mr. Russell, Mr., Clay said IN letter. render
ed by that controversy necessary. AS follows:
"Tn the course Of the several publications,
Of which i, has heeu the occasion, and par
iicularyi in the appendix 80 pamphlet which
has been recently published by the honora
! bleJ 4. Adams. I think there are some er
; ror's mo doubt unintcntIonaD both as to mat
tiers Of fact ami matters of opinion IN regard
! to the transactions at Ghent relating 10 the
! navigation Of the Mississippi and certain H.
berries claimed by the u. States. in the fish
cries, aud to the part ,eiich bore III thosc
| Transactions. The important interests are
now well secured. and. as 1t respects chat Of
the navigation of The Mississippi left, as It
ooght TO be, on tie same firm footing with
! the navigation Of all other rivers of the Con
! lederacy. the hope may he confidently cher
ished that II will never hereafter be deemed
even fit subject of negotiation with any
, foreign power An account, Therefore, oS
what occurred in the negotiations at Client
on these two subjects, is not, perhaps, ne
ccssary TO the present or future security OF
any Of the rights Of the nation, and rs only
interesting as appertainng TO its past history.
With these impres sions, and being extreme
~ unwilling to present myself, at any time.
before the public, had almost resolved to
remain silent. and thus expose myself TO the
inference Of an aceuiesence in the correct
ness Of all the statements MAGE by both my
colleagues; but have, on more reflection,
thought it NAV be expected of me, and be
considered duty on nav part, 10 contribute
all IN my power towards free and faithful
understanding of the transac tons referred to
Cnder this conviction I wiz. at some fine
more propltious tan the present, to calm aud
dIspasstonate consideration, and when there
can he no msInterpretation Of motives. lay
before the public narrative of those trans
actions, as understood them "-File Niles
Register. Dol -. p. g4-6
Does the reader see in this modest, dis.
passionate. and perfectly friendly letter, any
thing like THREAT, any thing disrespectfih
10 Mr. Adams-any charges affecting him in