Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-07-12
THE PERSONAL ISLANDERS ON
HENRY CLAY.

We find in the Lexington Observer and
Reporter the following Editorial commentary
on the attempts now making TO defeat the
Wing party through the grosscst attacks on
the private character Of Mr.. Clay. We do
not copy this response of his neighbors and
friends for the sake of defending the Nations
champion-tlat is needless. But we appeal
rather 10 the generosity and right feeling of
all men of moderate politics to act as Mey
would have others act if they were thus
hunted by the bloodhounds of personal ma :
Lightly. We are sure that Mr.. Clay ought
to gain many votes-we tlust he will gain
them-on account of these ISLANDERS. Hear
the Observer -
MR. CLAY AND HIS REvILERS.
There is no example in the records Of detrac.
ton and calumny of such perseverng rance
rous, and malignant attacks, as those which have
been constantly directed toward Mr.. Clay du.
ring the last twenty years. They arose oui of
the fact that he did not deem it his duty, acting
either upon his own judgment or in conformity
with the wishes of his constituents, whom he
represented in the House of Representatives, to
cast vote for Gen, Jackson as President of the
United States. His assalants, including the
General himself seem resolved to persist in
these attacks during the Generals life. Nor
are they confined to his public character aud
conduct but, with fendish spirit, watching
and pursuing him wherever he goes, in retire
ment, and in private and social intercourse, his
unguarded expressions, his habits, and all his
movements are seized for purposes of misrepre.
sentatlon and malevolent abuse. 1t is not now
our intention to deal with the revived calumny
OF bargain, &C. so often denied dsproved, and
triumphantly refuted. We would as soon han.
die putrd carcass. During tho canvass in
Tennessee, last year, Mr.. Polk, on several oc.
casions, attempted to use that stale charge but
it was mot and repealed with such indignant
spirit by his able. eloquent and intrepid compe-
ttor (Gov Jones) that he was entirely silenced
and we hardly imagine will ever again attcmp,
to propagate such calumny in the gallant and
| patriotic state of Tennessee.
But our present object relates to Mr.. CLAWS
private conduct and character, so indecently at.
tempted by his enemies to be exposed to the
gaze Of the world. Being his neighbor, having
known him all our lives, and having received
from those who are older Than we are, fall infor.
nation about him prior to the commencement
of our own knowledge of him, we can SPEAK Of
him as witness who know and believe the truth
of that to which they testify. Forty zone years
| ago, MT' CLAf, Wllnout MS knowledge, was
brought forward by his friends and elected to the
General Assembly of Kentucky From tina,
day to this, there is no office of trust or honor
within the gift of the people of Lexington or
Fayette county, that they W ud not have read,
y bestowed on him il he desired it. And after
he became known, as he did TO the whole state
by his professional fame, and his services in the
Legislature, there is no Office at the disposal OF
either the people or the Legislature of Ken.
lucky which he might have sought that would
not have been readily conferred on him. He
never lost popular election in this state when
he was candidate. The attachment of the PEG.
pie of Kentucky to Mr.. CLAY has not been one
OF cold, personal respect, or mere admiration o.
his talents, but it has been warm, constant and
enthusiastic. They have borne towards him the
affection of friend and brother and father.
There is not a more moral and enlightened
community III the world to the extent of the
population, than that of the city of Lexington
and Fayete county. Is it possible To believe
that MIR. Clay, if he were the immoral. dissolute
and debauched character which his bitter and
malignant enemies represent him, could have
lived in the midst Of such community for near
~ fifty years, and enjoyed throughout that whole
time, in an unexampled degree, its constant
friendship and confidence This confidence