Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-08-31
The Calumni.s upan Mr.. Clay.


the virtues OF Locofocosm,
The Calumnies upen Mr.. Clay.
The Lynchburg Virgnian, referring to the fresh
streams of defamation poured upon the head of MIR
Clay, adver,s to the old calumay of Bargain, in.
trigue and management which one now at
taches any consequence to, but MIR Henry A.
WISE.
The Virginian says:
"In connection with this foul and infamous SLAM
der, the accidental conception of that bloated ass
George Kfemer, which was eagerly seized upon by
the enemies Of MIR Clay, for the purpose Of n. citing
his proSirntion, and with 1t the Administration OF
which he became membcr,-and which we were
told, in advance, should be overthrown though il
were as pure us the Angels in heaven'--we insert
the following letters, written by Mr. Clay, in 1895
| to Judge Brooke, of Virginia. They private
letters and revealed the honest opinions Of the
writer; and they were then published, for the pur-
pose OF rebutling the malignant calumny, which the
stupid dolt, above referred 10, originated. The lie
has been, II is true, oen reluted, and even some of
the witnesses by whose testimony il was seemingly
sustained, prcked by their guilty conscences have
since done justice 10 the victim of their PICTURED
statements. But these letters, which were written
by Mr. Clay in oil the unreserved fcankness Of pri-
vatc and confidential correspondence, show no,
only that he vas falsely accused, but that in voting
for John q. Adams in 1925, in every &c, of his
public life, the good Of his country was his ruling
motive. For that, Curtius like, he prepared 10
leap into the pon1erous jaws Of Calumny, that,
like the gulph in which the Roman patriot threw
himself, VI de open to devour.'
One OF the grounds upon which Mr. GAYS voc
Tor MIR Adams "a sometimes objected TO, u.s. that MIR
Adams received fewer number Of electoral votes
than Gen.l Jackson. But, strange to say, this oh.
lection IS urged by some OF those who urged him 10
vote for MIR Crawford whose electoral vote was
| only about hilf that OF MIR Adams! But we do not
now design TO comment on these thngs We pub
ttehf tle cr.irf
pating the revival OF this stale calumny by mea who
| themselves know it to be false hut who act upon
| the corrupt maxim that all is fair in politics. They
show Mr. Clay's true position in 1925; and viii,
withal be new not only to the generality of news
paper readers in the present day, but to some who
set themselves up as Masters IL. Isracl' and who
figure conspicuousy in the political world-or at
least in that limited sphere of which they are the !u
minaries-'blind leaders OF the blind No unpreju
diced man can read the letters, are sure without
being satisfied Of the integrity and patriotism Of the
writer:
WAsnrwGrow, 2s.h January, 1925.
Mr. DEAR Sra My position in regard to the
Presidential contest is highly critical, and such as
TO leave the no path in which can move without
censure. have pursued, in regard to it, the rule
which | always observe in the discharge of nv
public duty. have Intercepted my conscience as
to what on ht TO do and that faithful guide tells
me that | ought to vote for Mr. Adams. | shall
fulfil its injunctions Mr. Crawford's state OF health
and the circumstances under which he presents him.
sell 10 the House, appear TO me 10 be conclusive
against him. As friend of liberty and to the per-
nanence of our Institutions, | cannot consent in
this carly Stage Of their existence, by contributing
TO the election of a Military Chief, to give the
strongest guarantee that this Republic will march
in tho fatal road which has conducted every other Re-
public 10 ruin owe TO friendship this frank ex.
position ofmy intentions. am, and shall continue
to be, assailed by all the abuse which parzan zeal
malignty, and rivalry, can invent. shall view
without emotion these eifusons of malice, and re-
main unshaken in my purpose. What is a public
man worth ifhe will not expose himself, on TT oc.
casions, for the good Of his country
As to the result Of the election cannot speak
with absolute certainty. but there is every reason 10
believe that we shall avoid the dangerous precedent
to which allude. Your cordinl friend,
Hon. F t Books.
WAsBNeroN, 4 h Fe btu1ry, 1925.
Mr. DEAR SIN: | received your obiging letter Of
the lst ins,. Although my letter 10 which II IL an
answer was not intended for publication, I would
rather that II should be published, and speak for IL
self, than that It's eontens should appear through
the medium Of Mr. Rtchio's representation of them.
Win regard ITS publication, you will be pleased
to do as you think proper. All that feel anxious
about IS, that the public should not receive an i'm
preston that IL is my intention that it should be pub
lished.
My condition at this moment is mos. peculiar.
The batteries Of some Of the friends Of every man
who would now be President, or who, four or eight
years hence would lie President are directed against
me, with only the exception OF those Of MIR Adams
Some Of the friends Of Gen'l Jackson, Mr. Craw- |
lord, Mr. Calhoun, and MIR Clinton, with very diff
ierent ultimate ends agree for the present 10 unite
IN nssailing me. The object now is on the part of
Mr. Crawford and General Jackson, 10 drive mo
from the course which my deliberate Judgment points
out, and for the future, on the part OF Mr. Clinton
and Mr. Calhoun, 10 remove me ms an obstacle 10 |
their elevation. They all have yet TO learn nv
character, II they suppose il possible to make me
swerVe from duty, by any species Of intimidation or
denunciaiion. But did not suppose my nd friend
Rtchie would Join in the general cry. lie ought to
rceollect he is struggling for a man; for the coun
try; he 70 elevate an unfortunate gentleman, worn
down by disease; ! TO preserve our youthful insti |
tutions from the bano which has bestowed oil the |
Republics OF the old world. might have expect !
cd from the patriotism Of Thomas Richie, that he
would have surrendered his personal predictions,
and joined mo in the effort 10 save us from proce
dent Taught with the most perncious consequences
J an 90 lar di'1ppoiniedj ! say il with moHhsi
ton and regret. Bu. all attempts to make me un,e
with him-io induce mo TO give up tho defence Of
OR institutions, that VIC may elect a sick gentleman
who has been rejected 10y the great body Of the |
na,Ion-are vain, and utterly fruitess. Mr. Richie
ought 70 awake should no himself again, and love
Rome mote than CeIar.
observe what you kindly tell me about the ia
ture Cabinet. My dearsik I want no Office. When
have shown nm avidty br oficsi In rejecting
the mission 10 Russia, and the Department Of War
under one Ajminsiratioa7 IN rejecting the same
Department, the mission 10 England, or any other
foreign mission under tho succeeding Administra.
toni u Mr. ADAMS ~ elected, know not who
" be his Cabinei. know not whether shall he
offered place in II or not Ifthsre should be any
offer, shall decide upon IL, when Il may be made
according TO my sense Of duty But, do you not
perceive that this denuncia,ion Of me by snticipa
ton ~ a part Of the common system bctwsn the
discofdont confedsriles which have above descub-
edi Most certainly, " on offcs should be offered
| TO me, under tho new Administration, snd should
be induced 70 think that ought 10 sccep' IL, shall
not be deferred from accepting u, either by tls 90
nunciations Of open secret enemies OF the hypo
csisy Of pretended friends.
With reat respect,
am, faithfully, your friend.
H. CLAY