Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1844-08-09
THE PERSONAL ISLANDERS OF
HENRY CLAY.

/
attempts now making to defeat the Wing
party through the grossest attrks on the
private character of Mr.. Clay We do not
copy this response of his ndghbors and
friends for the sake of defending the Nations
champion-that is needless. But we appeal
to the generosity and right feeling of all
men of moderate politics 70 act as thcy
would have others act if they were thus
hunted by the bloodhounds Of personal ma
Lightly. We are sure that Mr. Clay ought
to gam many votes-we trust he will gain
them-on account Of these ISLANDERS. Hear
the Observer -
MIR. CLAY AND HIS REYILERS. /
There is no example in the records Of de-
traction and calummy, of such perseyerng,
rancorous and malignant attacks as those
which have been constantly directed to-
wards Mr.. Clay, during the last twenty
years. They arose out of the fact that he
did not deem it his duty, acting either upon
his own Judgment, or in conformity of the
wishes of his constituents whom he repre-
scented in the House of Representatives, TO
cast a vote for Gen. Jackson as Presiden, of
the United States. His assailants including
the old General himself, seem resolved TO
persist in those attacks, during the Generals
life. Nor are they confined 10 his public
character and conduct but, with iicndish
spirit watching and pursuing him wherever
he goes, in retirement and in private and So
clal intercourse, his unguarded expressions,
his full habits, and Hll his movements are
seized for purposes of misrepresentation and
malevolent abuse. 1t is not now our inen-
ton to deal with the revived calumny of
bargain, &c. SO often denied, disproved and
Itriumphanlly defeated We would as soon
handle pulrd carcass During the can
vass in Tennessee, last year, Mr.. Polk, on
several occasions, attempted TO use that stale
charge; but it was met and repealed with
such indignant spirit by his able, eloquent
aud intrepid competitor, Gov. Jones) that
he was entirely senced, aud we hardly
imagine will ever again attempt TO propo-
gate such calnmny in the gallant and patri-
otto State Of Tennessee.
But our present object relates to Mr..
Clay's private conduct aud character, so in
decently attempted by his enemies to be ex-
posed to the gaze of the world Being his
lives and having received from those who
are older than we are, full information
about him, prior to the commencement of
our own knowledge Of him, we can speak of
him as witnesses who know, and believe the
truth Of that to which they testify. Forty
one years ago, Mr.. Clay, without his knowl-
edge, was brought forward by his friends,
and elected 10 the General Assembly of
Kentucky. From that day to this, there is
, no office Of trust or honor, within the gift
of the people of Lexington or Fayette coun-
ty, that they would not readily bestowed up
, OH him if he had desired it. And after he
became known, as he did to the whole
: State by his professional fame, and his SER
vice in the Legislature, there is no Office, at
! the disposal of either of the People or the
I Legislature of Kentucky which he might
: have sought, that would not have been rea-
div conferred on him. He never lost a
/ popular election when he was candidate.
. The attachment of the People of Kentucky
to Mir. Clay, has not been one Of cold, per-
I sona respect, or mere admiration OF his
4 talents but it has been warm, constant and
| enthusiastic. They have borne towards him
, the affection of a friend and brother and
/ father.
D There is not more moral and enlight-
h ened community in the world, to the extent
: of the population, than that of the city OF
5 Lexington and Fayette county. Is 1t pos
y sible to believe that Mr.. Clay, if he were
!, the immoral, dissolute and debauched char
! acter which his bitter and malignant enc
!. mics represent him, could have lived in such
$ community, for nearly fifty years, and en-
IL IL IL, .I,In TINA in m IN.
Il exampled degree, its constant friendship and
d confdencel This confidence has been dis
n played in variety of forms, No man has
ever been more attentive and pnnctual IN his
!. private engagements than Mr. Clay. lie has
e suffered, sometimes, as Others have suffered
| by his responsibilities for his friends. lie
!, is not rich. his public service has prevented
At his becoming wealthy; but no man coult
Is ever reproach him for violation OF any pecu
lie niary obligation or promise. Accordingly
a. his credit has always stood, as ii yet stands
at the highest point of elevation. And, b!
OF the way, we may remark that millions 0
y dollars have passed through his hands, a
~ Speaker of the House of Representatives
is and Secretary of State, and the tongue o
le malice has never dared to charge him will
at at the misnpplicaton of a single dollar.
Of On one occasion, after settling his &C
count as Speaker, at the Treasury, whlc
10 he invariably did upon the termination Q
- every Session, it appeared that there stoc
to his credit in the Bank, where he trans
acted his business, sum of fifty thonsan
H. dollars. He stated TO the Secretary OF tn
Treasury that there must be some mistake
., but he was confidently assured that Their
was none. He said that he was equal
L, - l.. L., hn hn1 M such nmOnnl {