The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-11-02

AuElE NolAlIts
Mr.. Henry Clay appeared in his de-
fence, aud made what is represented |
10 have been a most eloquent speech.
THE SPEAKING.
On the 9Olh ult Pason Hanmet,one ofthe |
repudiating eandidaies'for Congress, addressed
the people at tins place. He arrived here on
Friday and measures we're taken to have foil
attendance ofthe Democracy. The party Or
gan and his partizans had taken great pains
to excite high expectations Of bis ability as
speaker. lie was represented as possessing
oratorical powers of the first order, he was
called the Prsntiss of Democracy and such
we're the terms in which he was uniformly spo-
ken ofas public speaker, that we we're in
duced to feel no little curiosity to hear the
subject Of Reputation handled by SO polished
an orator. We wanted 10 see how far the pow
ers ofeloquence and the beauty ofslye could
divest this doctrine Of the loathng and con.
tempt, which we invariably found ourselves
experiencing for it, whenever we have heard
it advocated. Bulwer In his Eugene Aram and
his Paul Clifford has furnished an instance Of
how much genius is capable Of eficting in
weakening the operations Of our moral sense,
whilst the imagination is excited and the mind
is engrossed by ithe glowing cIoquence, the
gorgeous language and subtle philosophy OF
the author. We wished TO see fit was in the
power ofgenius to throw anything captivating
anything ennobling around the subject Of re-
pudiation to redeem it from the disgust and
aversion, with which we view an act Of low
swindhngr without one solitary attendant cir
cumstance TO mitigate our contempt for its doc.
trines. Butwe were disappointed in the ca.
paclly oithe man and we are satisfied that there
was not an individual nrrvant who vt.o~ .aes
HIS partlzans, If they would be candid enough
to confess il, were more disappointed han any
other persons. Most ofthem did really be.
liove tina; DR., Hamet was all he was represen-
ted to be as an orator, for it was solely for the
advantages which his party expected to derive
from him in that respect that he was selected
BY the Legislative Democratic Convention"
Of July as one oftheir candidates for Congress.
He was not known ia the State as politician
and bis having abandoned the ministry Of the
Meth Church to plunge into the muddy and
turbulent stream ofMississippi politics as one
Ofthe champions Of Reputation was a circum.
stance in bis history by no means calculated to
recommend him to the religious portion Of the
community. BUTT was supposed by the "Joe
Smths"of Reputation tha, his powers of elo-
quence would easily overcome this disadvan-
tage. lie commenced his speech by a long
dePrecatory apology for his inability TO come
up to the expectation Of his audience. He
spoke most feelngly ola cold, under which he
was suffering, ano, as Il is his Uniform habit,
attempted to be very pathetic in his allusion to
some domestic Affections which he most I'M
necessarily brought before the public. "In a
word gentlemen, said he with understandable
vanity, the instrument Is out Oitune the rude
storm has broken its cords, and some Of its
strings which sent forth the softest strains OIL
music, are now silent and refuse to answer to
the touch" This was said in a peculiarly
whining, softened tone, and the effect was re.
markable; the people looked around as if they
did not comprehend the foil extent ofhis mean.
ing He then went into some generalities on
:he science government, which were inten.
led to impress his audience with the profundiy
Of his learning and philosophy on that subject
lie next INDUCED in a violent TRADE Of abuse
against the press Of this country, he said thai
the columns Of the news papers Of both partie.
were nothing but the dirty vehicles Of the foul
est SANDER and detraction; he thought thai
this evil should be corrected by public opinion
and that the press should be confined to h,
discussion Of principles, and that any attach
upon The ehararter Of iniiUidtals ioA0 had Be
come prominent before The people, should b
frot0ned d0l0n. The Doctor spoke on this sub
jet with the sweeping injustice and violenc,
of a man, who had felt the influence Of tina
engine, against which he wished to excite Ii,
popular prejudice. Thai the press is too in
discriminate in its abuse Of those, TO whom
IS opposed, we eodily admit; but it lessons it
own influence by such intemperance rattle
than Injuries those whom Il uniustly asperses
Why should il be confined to he discussion Q
principles alone, and why should It's exposur
Of public, or even private character, where
will operate beneheially upon soeietybe irowi
ed down! All experience proves that such
the constitution ofhuman nature, that the pub
lie are disposed 10 do more than justice to an,
one, who has been wantonly and undeserved
" denounced either by individuals or the pres,
: A pure character has nothing to fear from it
I assaults;lhe attacks Of the press in the end bu
develops its untanished brightness; it is onI
D the deprsved and oonupt, that have eaus
e to aPprehend its Pro5ings and exposure.
The convicted political prOAigate ma