The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-12-22

dictates of his own mind, he never hesila-
ted TO follow that course which his con.
science told him was right. The circum'
stances attending the Inference OF the above
patriotic aud sacrificing principle, as lar
as me nory now serves US, were briefly as
follows he requested, on certain oeca-
sion, the attendance Of distinguished per.
sonal and political friend upon him, with
whom he wished an interchange OF their
mutual opinions upon certain political
question. This friend learning his opinion
in advance, without expressing his own
veniured the suggestion whether lis advo-
cacy, at that time, would not endanser his
good prospects and the prospects OF those
who acted with him. Mr.. Clay im,nedi
ate rejoined, Il did no, send for you TO ask
what nigh, be the effect Of the proposed
movement 90 my prospects, but whether Il
is right,
! I ironld rather be right, than be Presideit!
Passing oyer all the other OCCASIONS
aud they are many, on which Mr.. Clay has
4 exhibited devotedness 10 the ,iue inter.
esls Of his country, unparalleled IN The his
tory Of one man in modern times, when
directly in competition with his prospects
of advancement we will instance only one,
which conspicuously places him above any
patriot or sage Of the presen, day. II Is
fresh in the recollection Of every one, thai
owing 10 some false move upon the pollt,.
cal Chessboard, during The highly excited
: and rancorous canvass for PRESIDENT 10
1924, Mr.. Clay, although CONSPICUOUS
candidate, lost his return 10 the House
{ the umpire that was to decide who should
be President. The course he then pirsuet
, was Numerically in opposition TO the on'
be should have pursued, If be ouiy had al
/, eve TO his own political interests, and 10
speedy promotion.
: II will be recollected that Gen. Jackson
Mr.. Adams, and Mr.. Crawford, had beer
returned ,o,he House by the following votes
!, respectively, viz: Gen. Jackson 90, Mr
Adams ga, and Mr.. Crawford Al. Mi
Crawford, on account of i'll health, was con
. sidered out Of the question; hence The cholc
lay between the two former. Gen JacRso
;. had received a respectable plurality
votes and appearances even then poin'e
!, to him as the popular candidate. lie wa
i before the people IS victorious uenera
:, with laurels fresh from the battlefield.
u is not var province now to enquire whe'l
er be was more indebted to the advcn!liIon
:, circumstances of fortune for those laufei'
than he was TO ability, courage, proves
and ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS that constitute th
: great General: suffice il TO say, that the,
+ had the effec, 10 elicit The huZzas oil The pee
Die, which, it nigh. have been toreseeI
!, we're bearing him TO the highest plnnacI
:, . Of promotion. II requires no prophet TO &c
t. what would have been the result, had NJ
= Clay attached his fortunes 10 the car oil Y
:. victorious Geuerat-shouted halleluIahs al
90 sung peans in his favour " HAL 10 u
= conquerng hero--it will be glory enous
80 for me TO serve under such chief, wouI
IA PROFESSIONALLY, have secured TO him u
succession. But no Mr. Clay was mat
.s of sterner stuff, Ga tie one hand he b
Ia held a military chief, whose elevation
10 the Presidency, he considered as A" the i
bo umph Of the principle of insubordlnallon'
triumph Of the military over the civil
oo ihori,y-a triumph over the Constitution
!; and, perchance, triumph over the Iiberti
a. Of The people :" on the other, he beheld
Statesman highly giile J, profoundly learnc
nd and long and greatly experienced in pub
i affairs al home ard abroad. How cot
Mr.. Clay hesilatel He could not-he Z
,ic not; and by this honest, honorable a
- magnanimous act--this one &c: OF selt.t
10, uacism, for acts apeak louder than 8or'
M he has evnced 10 The world, that
ro - lie would rather be risl., than Be President
ect Time would fail US were we to aitemp,a
Eil lalion Of The abuse, viiuperatlon and fall
40 hood. that were heaped upon bis head
- this honest discharge Of constitutional {
10 ty and privilege =" he must be pat dow
lsi though as pure as an angel at the right ia
he Of God p But he has not been put dow
lar he stands erect -
u Behold him seated on a mount serene,
lei With aspect mlld, and elevated eye"
lie He ou,llyes the saunders, which,
his' alike harmless thunders, breaking at iis {
ny Excite his pity, nor impair his peace =
ole and he lives 10 see his slanderers surb
Pu' their proper leyel-iu,o merlcd con,en
Honest George kremer sleeps in oDllv
en- and the "roar of the Lion has lost
1fe charms-ihe lowest aud highes, Of his s.
'o' derers.
nee This is faint portrait Of Henry Cla
ana the man who has mind superior TO self
iefe terest; mind trained IN the school Of
lIm- strictest rec,tude a mind uninfuencec
bribery--unawed by terror. This ia
man whom the Wings will make Pi
deot, the mau,
~ q Who would rather be right, than be PFes'a
MEAL pAC,