Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-07-28
POLITICAL.
THE POINDEXTER DINNER.
.lfr. Clans Sncech.


The following Toast was drank:
Oar fctto,c- Citi=en, HENRY CLAY-Persecuted SLAM
anu abused by the minOns of Power, he has pur-
sued me even tenor OIL way with eve steadily fix
ed on the good of his country and the happiness OF The
people His name finds responding throb of gratitude
"a 'nS heails oi the Votares OF Liberty in everyclme
Hunters Of Kentucky
The reading of this toast drew forth from the company
great applause. AS soon as it had subsidized Mr. Clay
lnaoe tne ioowing remarks which have copied from
the Lexington 1ntelgencer of Yesterday:
MT Clay rose to return his thanks and TO make his
grateful acknowledgements for the unexpected and un.
expression Just made of friendly feeling
wards him. He had received many proofs of The attach
neht ana appreciation of the friends and neghbors by
whom ne was surrounded and he felt happy to find
that he still enjoyed their warm regard sympathv and
confidence Bat highly acceptable and consonp as was
TINS testimony, he camehere, by their invitation 10 unite
with them IN comforting merited honor on the dstin
gnished guest for whom this entertainment was qiven
You have this day (said Mr. CLAY Witnessed H. ,b;
iiy and eloguence with which he exposes the alarming
dnroads OF Executive power and viudcates the Const
ei9n On another theatre, the floor of the Senate of
The United States. where few any of YOU have hoard
hIn 4 can with truth, AS do with pleasure bear ss
mony to the undaunted rmness ability and zeal which
ie mas displayed IN The cause In the recent great
contest IN which the Senate has been the sole barrier
against The daring encroachmens of the Executives e
mas $1,000 IN the front rank among those who have srug
ged 10 preserve the balances of the Constitution and
TO maintain unimpaired Public Liberty wish IN the
contest had successfully terminated but il is still in
progress ana the question remains to be decided whe
her the VIII OF one man. in all public measures is TO
nave 'uhquestoned and unbounded sway or we shall
continue to have carefully balanced and cauousI,
gulated Government. What department what branch
oil the government (he Senate excepted what inst;,
non oil the General Government is there into which
Executive power influence has not insinuate itsec
TO destroy or render it subservent 20 Executive neo
sure The late plant House of Representatives was
mere registry OF Executive edicts totally destitute
OF all independence, .conniving at abuses and er
hibiung speetacles OF disorder which would have
rhn agIaGeh' TO any primary assembly of people
dhe Senate has indeed hitherto stood erect: but il has
not escaped the contemptuos treatment of the Erecu
i've; ana It's constitutional share in appointments has
been frequently disregarded and trampled upon The
authority of the Supreme Court has been desn;sed nd
conemned principles have been avowcd by the Execu
tive which, practically acted upon place the eyacn
ton OF all it's decisions his pleasure The on inst;
auton that the wisdom of Congress has hitherto been
apie 70 establish to supply safe general currency in
Wcn agree win your distinguished guest i'm thinking
that the Valley of The Mississippi more than anv obes
quarter OF the Union, is deeply Interested has been
overturned and .prostroted In lieu of it, the neone
Hape TO rely upon the paper of countless number Of
local institutions! multiplied daily acting ,vithoIt con-
-; se,ug nioVilaDy 10 general disorder and ending
an common explosion. But will not dwell on or
enlarge this rghttul picture although materials are am
ply supplied by the present Administration TO give it
greater eStont and deeper coloring.
The Senate has been the SOLE II not the last rer,oc
OF the Constitution Cnd of the Public Liberty W5e.
thcr II Will be able much lon yer to impede the tL
Executive to despoc power remains IN he JevaIo,aJ
1T ls with deep modification regret that ann com
PSeo 70 own tha II has not been sustained by the peo-
ple throughout the UnoR as its patriotic efforts and
aims deserved But here at least in our own state lie
motives and labors have been Justly appreciated And
pincefey nope that, Whatever dscouragements else.
where may exist; however gloomy for the moment the
prospects OF civil liberty may seem TO he Kenfnckv
or She has o,r
gaiant son ielt, VIII never strike the Whip fac; but If
she stand alone, will faithfully and TO the last adhere 10
he1 principles Great and long continued chcering1
Jhe President is not satisfied with the ndispued and
general sway which me has acquired Like tho Mo-
archs and Emperors and Despos whose story History
tells, he is desrous whilst he is vet in Office n Tho &
possession OF all his power and means of influence i
name ls successor; and, under forms and peils ycb
the feeble vision can penetrate has designated his sue
ccssor is there any substantial difference bel veen be
hereditary principle and the practice if II Is TO he
toned, Of the existing Presidential incumbent nomnat
Ing his successor Can be doubted that If TIE Pres
dents bed had been fruitful instead of barren tic ear,
sneens which employed, with his concurrence
uu aPProDauoh, 10 ensure the election of his ayore
whouid have been directed TO the elevation of his own
sonl 40 Nv"
With respect to the gentleman who has been thus de-
signaed, feel myself Reluctantly 49,
ibis appears to me fl occasion 10 say a &c gords
he PUBIC press, private letters and other evidences
;s eoN me- OF opinions and preferences being as
cIDeo 10 INC Dy his friends parzans so as to create
think, duty on my part, TO undeceive the nublic
MY personal relations with the Vice President before
sno since he came into office, have been those of cvity
ana courtesy but they have never for moment affected
my judgment as to the Popreiy of his election ms CHIEF
Magstrae In no aspect Of The contest in no concev
pc contingency IN no imaginable alternative do think
II would be Tor the interests honor oftbc people az H.
- =. 10 elevate him 70 that Office. Without stopping
70 lhsIst upon objections TO him, from the exccp-
nonable system Of party-taccs which prevails In
his own State; and which, in the event of his sue.
cess, ne would eDdeayOr to spread over The vsbolo
Union FROM tse and the manner bv which he bss
been SO far advanced; from my utter inability In core
bend what his principles z0tc are in reCnr.yye ~,
measures oil National policy, there objection r. him
which, ~ my mind is absolutely conclusive. re ;s H.
nominated CnRdoeto Of hc Prsseng aadHe official ene
ano sought to DC forced upon he People by ali tie weig
OF INC Admin'stration If he the most pure and
perfect OF all American Statesmen this single obiociion
you'd IN my opinion, be absolutely decisive against him
ana must have been false TO every principle which baa
guided my public life and Gthless in NV doootio, 49,
civil liberty, could have entertained an opinion ta
under such circumsonces, the Vice President should be-
Psesreo 70 any Caaeidate lIhrougIout the delivery
OF these sentiments Mr. Clay repeatedly inerrnpled
~ animated bursts Of applause and cheering1
ihese expressions have been forced from me ,o;ecd
70 nave enjoyed rePosc without taking any part In The
fIesioen tiai question but opinions having been ofen
erroneousy attributed to mo- that subject have moi
been eft at liberty 90 remain silent Uanbie and sis
out influence my namc s do not choose 10 LII 4,
20 DC applied 70 unauthorized purposes hope This i
e iast ara only occasion in which may be ncooassrv
45 He Pubcy TO cay any thing respecting tie contest
Whist epteftnn decided preferences % not intend
20 make myself partizan Of any candidate This reso
lotion " due TO my friends the relations in which
have stood to ibefo and my own character LEAVING