Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-06-27

proves his utter disregard OF the limita-
tons which the Constitution, by its
enumeration Of powers, intended to op-
pose to all encroachments.
In 1923, Mr.. Clay became a candid
ate for the Presidency. During the
canvass, he used all his influence TO
prejudice Mr.. Adams, one OF bis oppo-
nents, whom, in 1922, he had, IN a
published newspaper essay, endorsed
as can artful sophist, clumsy nego-
" tiator, and vind:ctive man," with
" views too erroneous, feelings too sec
" tlonal, and temper too vindictive for
" the Chief Magistracy ofthe free peo-
pie" between whom and himself unad-
justed personal difficulties existed, and
who, up to the moment referred to, had
been his antlpode in politics; and when
he had failed ii securing his own cleo
ton, in disregard Of these recorded
opinions, in contempt Of the expressed
will Of his constituents, and in direct
opposition to the known wishes of a
vast majority Of the American people,
he voted for, and secured By his in1u-
ence, the election to the Presidency of
this very man, and then stopped to re-
ceiye at his hands the highest office
within his gift. Well might the fear
less and far-seeing McDufie exclaim:
II assert, and am willing TO stake my
" humble stock of reputation upon the
" truth Of the assertion that the circum-
" stances ofthe extraordinary coalition
" between Adams and Clay, furnish as
" strong evidence Of an abandonment
" Of political principle on the part of
" Mr.. Clay, and Of a corrupt political
" bargain between him and Mr.. Adj
" ans, as is ordinarily required to es-
e tablish the guilt of those who are
" charged in a Court of Quarter SEES
" sions with the common crimes known
" to the law.'
In 1920, while speaking of a system
Of high Tariff duties, he declared, in a
published speech, at is a system I'M
der which there is a sort Of perpetual
war between the interests of the Gov
eminent and the interests of the peo-
pie" Yet, in 1882, while commend
ing the "American System," by which
the highest duties provided for under
our laws were imposed, and of which
he is generally esteemed to be the
Father, he says: 81 have, indeed,
cherished it with parental fondness, and
my affection is unchanged"
In 1882, he originated and carried
through the compromise Act,'' Of
which on the 2nd of February, in that
year, in view of any future attempts to
unsettle its adjustment, he Indignantly
asked in his place in the Senate,
"What man who is entitled to deserve
the character Of an American States
man, would stand up in his place, in
either House Of Congress, and disturb
this Treaty of Peace and Amityf -
And yethe, whom his friends claim to
be the greatest among American
Statesmen, now panegyrises and sane
tons the act of 40, which violently dis
turbs the faith thus plighted, and i'm
poses by the minimum principle, and
high specific duties, oppressive burdens
upon an enlightened people.
In 1912, almost by his own dlcta-
ton, Bankrupt Law was established,
which authorized and effected the most
general, and sort of wholesale repu-
diation of honest debts, that ever dis
graced a people;-a law, which would
have still existed, had it rot encounter
ed the severest Reproduction of honest
and Just citizens ofthe Republic, and
been put down with the sternest nation
al rebuke.
He has violated, too, that cardinal
principle Of Democracy-after he had
originally recognized it-that the peo-
PIES will, however expressed, should
be the rule ofaction for the representa-
tive. While standing in this capacity,
he has repeatedly treated with con-
tempt, or neglect, the instructions OF
the people of this State, deliberately eX-
pressed, on indicated through their
Legislature.
We have seen him recently traver-
sing the country, while important State
Elections were in progress seeking to
procure the low advantages resulting
from personal electioneeling efforts
departing from the usages and the nc.
bic example of the great and good
men, who have obtained, without seek
ing, the highest honors-and thus Is
tablishing the pernicious example OF a
candidate for The Office of President