Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1844-07-02
FO@ Tie Keniucky O6set per and Repor
ter, June 10
NEr. Clay and his ReviEcrs.


ter, June 10
NEr. Clay aGd his REeviEGrs.
There is no example in the records
ol deuaCuoD and caumny OF such per-
SeVerlng, rancofoua, and malignant at
iacks, as those which have been con
slautIy direcled towards Mr.. Clay dur.
ing the last twenty years. They a.
rose out OF the fact that he did not deem |
it his duty, acting either upon his ow n
Judgment or IN conformity with the !
wishes Of his constituents, whom he re
presented 10 the House OF Representa-
lIves, to cast vote tor Gen Jack son
as President ol the United States. His
assaiIauts, including the General him
sell. seem resolved to persist in these
attacks during the Generals life. Nor
are they confined 10 his public charac
Ter and conduct; but, with 6endlsh
spirit, watching and pursuing him wher-
ever he goes, 10 retirement, and IN prl-
Vate and social Intercourse, his unguRFd
ed expressions, his abils, end all his
movements are seized ior purposes Of
misrepresentation and maevolent a.
buse. 1t is not now our intention TO deal
with the revived calumny OF bargain,
&c, so often denied, dsproVed, and tri
umphanlly refueo. We would as soon
handle a puirid carcass. During the
canvass in Tennessee, last year, Mr.
Polk, on several occasions, attempted 10
use that stale charge; but it was met
and repeIIed with sucn indignant spirit
by his able, eloquent, and intrepid com,
petiVor Gov. Jones) that he was entire
ly sileuced, and we hardly imagine will
ever again attempt to propagate such a
calumny in the gallant and patriotic
Slate OF Tennessee.
But our present object relates to Mr.
Cay's private conduct and character, al
indecently attempted by his enemies Ia
be exposed TO the gaze OF the world -
Being his neighbor having known hin
all our lives, and having received from
those who are older than we are, full
IuIUI IWullOl nbOul hlNlJ HflbI w lHV NO1I
meDcemenl Of our own knowledge O
him, we can speak Of him as wllnesse
who know and believe the truth OF tina
10 which they testify, Forty one year
ago, Mr. Clay, without his knowledg
was brough. forward by his friends an
elected TO the General Assembly o
Kentucky. From that day to this, lher
10 no office Of :rust or honor within ib
gift OF the people of Lexington or Fay
elite county, that thsy would not hav
readily bestowed on him if he desired i
And after he became known, as he Gl
10 the whole State by his profession
fame. and his services 10 the LegsIs
lure, there is no office at The disposal ,
either the people or the Legislature {
Kentucky which he might have sougt
that would not have been readily con
lerred on him. He never lost popuIs
election in This Stale when he was
candidate. The attachment Oi the pc,
pie Of Kentucky to Mr.. Clay has n
been one Of cold, personal respect, {
mere admiration Of his talents, but il hi
been warm. and enthusiastic The
have borne towards him he affection
friend and brother and father.
There is not more moral and Ell
lighlened community in lhe world,
the extent OF the population, than tn
Of the city Of Lexington and Fayet
county. ls it possible to believe tn
Mr.. CLAY, if he were the immoral, dI
solute and debauched character whlt
his bitter and malignant enemies repr'
seut hun, could have lived iD such
community for nearly ffy years, al
enjoy cd throughout that whole time,
an unsxampled degree ils consta
friendship and con6ience2 This con
dence has been displayed in every v
rely OF form. No man has ever be-
more attentive and punctual in his pr
vale engagements than Mr.. Clay.
has suffered sometimes, as others ha
suffered, by responsibilities for !
friends. He is not rich his public &c
vice has prevented his becoming we'
lhv; but no man could ever reproat
him for violation OF any pecuniary o
legation or promise Accordingly h
credit has always stood, as il yet slanc
ct the highest point Of elevation. Al
by the way. We may remark, that m
lions Of dollars passed through his han
as Speaker OF the House Of Represent
lives and as Secretary OF Sule, and
tongue ol malice has never dared
charge him with the misnppIcalon Of
single dollar. On one occasion, all
settling his sccount as Speaker al I,
Treasury, which he invariably did u
on the termination Of every session,
appeared that thOre stood to his Gre
in the bank where be transacted