The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-10-18
VOLUME /. NUMBER "a.
From the Ohio Statesman:


To the Rep. DIR. Nash:
REV. Sir: have recently seen, with good
deal of concern for the of pure aud undefled
religion, letter purporting to have beer written
by you, (and published in several political news.
papers,) osensbly for the purpose of bostering UP
and blandishing the moral and religious character
of Henry Clay. ! say have seen it with deep
concern for the cause of pure aud undcfied reli-
gon, for it cannot be denied that the position you
and others have placed yourselves in, tie opinions
you have expressed, and the conclusions you have
drawn, if they have any Influence at all, must
have al: i'll effect upon the morality and religion
of the country.
Without stopping to inquire why 1t is that at
this particular juncture, you arc found IN the
kennel Of politics, to write Mr. Clay down q
moral man, instead Of the pulpit, preaching to
him repentance for dueling and gambling, will
notice, in brief way, the contents OF your letter
You declare that "Mr. Clay has the confidence
and political support of very large proportion Of
the moral aoOrth, and very large majority of the
members of different denominations residing in
Lexington" All of these you say are the friends
Of Mr.. Clay, and most of them frequent visitors
at his house You say all the Episcopal clergy-
men in Kentucky are the friends of Mr. Clay, and
and all the Methodist clergy in Kentucky, but
three, are the political friends Of Mr.. Clay. You
wind up with this astounding declaration: "The
opinion Of the great majority of the religious
people, ministers and others,) living in the neigh
borhood of, and Immediately connected with, Mr.
Clay, am confident is, that, if he is elected to
the Presidency, there will be, while he continues
President a far healthier moral influence around
the Presidential char, than there has been since
| J. Q. Adams administration!''
| Now, Rev. Sir, what does your political letter
amount to, and what does it prove' IF true, il
proves that the clergy Of Kentucky, generally,
entertain similar political opinions with Mr.. Clay,
that they are wings, aud not democrats, which
they have a right to be, and which will add, is
quite natural, and quite in character with the bulk
of the clergy in all ages of the world. II proves;
too, if true, that Of distinction and talents,
even if he be habually profane, centious, addict
ed to gaming, duelst in practice, principle, and
preccpt, may have the benefit of the friendship
the appreciation and familiar visits Of the "noral
How high the moral and religious standard Of such
a community must be TO make such relations con-
sistent with the letter and spirit of the gospel,
leave for piouS casuists and gospel ministers, like
yourself to decide!
But Rev. Sir, the excellence Of your letter, its
admirable candor its amiable christian liberalfty
towards the administrations of jackson, Van Burer
and Tyler its pure gospel spirit shines forth IN the
conclusion, where you speak with confidence OF
"Me far healthier moral influence around the
Presidential chair than there has been since J.
@. Adams administration, which is to prevail IN
the event of Mr.. Clays election.
II Is this sentiment of your letter hat challenges
nv animadv ersions-such anti moral, anti religious,
anti christian opinions coming from clergymen,
alarm me for the morals and religion Of the coun-
try.
Do you moi know, have you not read, hath il no t
been told you, that it was under the memorable
administration of J. @. Adams, that H. Clay, he
being the Secretary OF State, challenged John
Randolph, a Senator from Virginia, TO mortal COM
bat for words spoken in debate, and twice fired his
pistol at Mr.. Raudolph's breast, with the bloody
intention of taking his life! BY this moral and
religious act Mr. Clay violated the constitution Of
the United States and the oath he had taken to
support it. By this act he forfeited the respect
of the nation, and was soon after driven from the
station he occupied by the public voice loudly and
largely expressed. 1t was during that notorious
administration, so exemplary in your pious eyes,
that the public money of the United States was
laid out, without any authority of law, to purchase
a Billiard Table for the Presidential mansion!
Is it such instances as these, Rev. Sir, with
numerous others that might be cited, which enable
you to speak with so much confidence of the
healthy moral influence of John Q. Adams admin
Istration being restored.
Is it H. Clays recommendation of his troiege,
Mr.. Bascom, when he took him to Washington,
to present him as candidate for Chaplain u
Congress, (that he could "preach any of the other
candidates TO He'll and back agan,") that has
warmly in his INTEREST,"
Is it his piOus mprecaton upon Mr. Polk, when
he SAID, ego home, -" ,Dhere you 5c1ong," that
commends him to your confidence as the restorer
of ga healthy. moral influence around the Presi-
dental chair?"
Is ii his agency in the death of the lamented
Ciley, with his cold hearted exclamation to Mr.
Wise, that it would be but "a nine days talk"
that presses him upon your high and pous regard'
Is il his duel with Humphrey Marshall, his long
established character as libertine and backlog
his card to George Kremer in ls25-or his recent
political srinations in the South the Sabbath
day, that inspire you with much confidence
in the "heahhy moral influence" he is likely to
throw around the Presidential char'
should be very sorry, indeed, Rev. Sir, TO
detact in the least degree from your moral worth,
or your piety; but candor consrains me to say,
that, as a clergyman, you remind me more Of the
sons of Eli, than OF Nathan the prophet; more Of