Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-03-07

large body OF nigh and trusted pubic
agents, to the condition Of slaves; end
again, in The closing scenes of his Sena
torial life, we see him, still defying tht
attempted dctatinn OF the Executive, and
planting himself immovabIy on the firm
platform of constitutional duty and priv
lege, successfully indicating, by his lat
est public act, the just independence anc
authority of Congress.
When did the Hampden of Democracy
oppose himself to any act ofdespotic au'
,horiiy1 Not the imperial claim Of the
President to be 'the Government" mo-
his violent and Illegal removal OF the de.
posies-not his attempt TO dragon the
representatives. Of the people into subms.
sion to his sovereign will, or break dowr
judicial icetpendence-Do his contemp.
tuous dismissal OF brave and virtuous ed.
sers--fJund, IN this flaming Democrat
this vaunted champion of Republicanism
the last Whisper Of opposition. But, or
the contrary, still blending the pregnant
hinges of the knee, where thrift might
follow fawning"-we find him whispering
10 the ear of power the ignobe and syco-
phantic words "lor me il is glory enough
to have served under such chleii" and
even when clothed by the popular voice
with the dignity and power Of President
OF the Ugiied States, still, IN the meek
and humble tones Of victory, pledsh
himself 40 follow in the footsteps Of his
iIlus'rous predecessor.
As regards tie power OF removal, Mr..
CLAY rave sufficient evidence during his
connection with the Ext culive Govern.
ment Of the moderation with which he
would exercise it, and that no man would
be prescribed by him merely for opinion S
stke. But not then had been avuu ed or
acted on, The shameless principle OF ere
wardlng flitnds and Furnishing enemies
nor the yet more revolving doctrine,
subsequently promulged, that ito the VIC
tors belong the spolIs"-nor had the cor
rupt practice, Us yet obta ned, OF compro-
missing with public peculat'rs for party
services. On these false, vicious and cor.
ruptlng grounds, many most worthy pub.
lie officers are known 10 have been ie-
moved, and many unworthy ones to have
be, n put in their places. While, then,
we have tight to infer that Mr.. Clay
would remove no man from office merely
for opinions sake, he will DOUBLE IS know
how 10 discriminate between a just adhe-
renee to that principle, und the sanction.
ing of Injustice and may well be expect.
ed, as far Us may be in his power, TO re-
insta,e worthy officers causelessly remov-
ed, and to remove unworthy ones, without
pity or hesitation, corruptly appointed.
Mr.. Van Buren, seems not only to have
fully recognized the principle of proscrp,
ton for opinions sake established by his
predecessor, but LEFT on retiring from the
Presidency, the foul and inefiaceable blot
on his name and administration ofhaving,
with foil knowledge of their delinquency,
retained public defaulters in office in con.
sideration of active par,izan support
WI the p ope shall by their voice ell
eya;e to power one thus known to convert
the patronage OF the Government into u
moral poison 10 pervert and corrupt the
free and honest exercise OF the Elective
{, anchise, they will, by showing them
selves to be wanting in Virtue, evince, ut
the same time, that they are unfit TO be
Free.
Mr.. Clay, ever true to the constitution,
has always alike defended the Rights Of
tie States. and the Powers Of the Federal
Government. He powerfully indicated
the principles of State Rights in the case
of Missouri, when Mr.. Van Buren,. the
chosen State Rights candidate, sought to
strike them 10 the earth; and, IN later
case, was the known defender of the in
violblty OF the Broad Seal Of the State
OF New rSey, against tie contempt OIL r
ID il. and the dlshonor 10 which II was
subjected by tho tri'nds Of Mr.. Van Blu
rem, without rebuke FROM him, and we
have a right to infer, with his full Concur
renee.
Twice, when our glorious Union has
been placed IN emminent peril 10y the
Missouri question in 1919, and the Tar #
controversy in 1888, menaced with dis
solution, amid strife and blood, to bury
under its ruins the happiness and Liberties
OF t1IlliOUS, MO " 1870
has it been the high and singular fortune
of Mr.. Clay--ever forgetlul of SELF
thoughtful but Of his couniry--to avert by
his wise, conciliatory and Statcsmanlke
counses the threatened convusion; and
to win for himselfa name on the rolls OF
fame, and in the heart of every true lover
Of his country, which the highest station
cannot exalt, nor the humblesl obscure
that Of Saviour OF the Union.
Where, in these momfnts of his coun
trv's need, was Mr.. Van Burenl Ia
vain, when the battle RACES, may you
look for him in the advanced posts Of dan-
ger or responsibility. In vain may you
look Cor him in any great crisis OF his
country's fortunes, capable OF rising to
the height Of the occasion; OF assuming
any responsible or independent attitude
or playing any part higher than that
of party chief, still pushing on others IN
to the breach, still himself fixing an intent
eye on the "spols Of victory" So in the
instances referred to you w,ll find him ir
the one opposing no open resistance to the
course of those passions which seemed
fast hurrylng the Union to bloody clost
and in the other, allied to, and urging
on, the larger party to the preparation o.
wr ng fatal to the equality of Southern
| 10 a. pract,cal kal &c Ia.