The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-06-28

should be Instructed 10 inquire INTO Tue Vuuh VI
each specific charge in Mr.. Kremer's letter, and
should be authorized to send for persons aud pa
pers The friends of Mr Clay showed that they
were opposed to thorough investigation, by re-
fusing to adopt his proposition. They simply
referred the matter to partizan committee, with
out authority and without instructions, and at full
liberty to pursue such course as should seem to
them most likely to promote the interests OF MIR.
Clay.
Mr. Kremer, Of course, refused to appear before
this one sided committee. The committee so re-
rorted, and the house let the matter drop.
THE CONSERVATION,
The election came on, on the 9th of February,
twelve days after Mr.. Kremer's letter was publish
ed in the Columbian Observer; and precisely as
that letter had predicted, Mr.. Clay and his friends
gave their votes 10 MI Adams. To use again,
the eloquent language of another. he broke the
triple cord of honor, principle and duty. He
abandoned his principles, deceived Ohio, betrayed
Kentucky and sold the west 10 her ancient enemy.
He voted tor one whom he had denounced as one
of the basest of his race; dangerous politician
cabinet, whom it was avowed to be the first object
of his friends to defeat He voted for one whom
he had taught Kentucky 10 hate, and against one
whom she had called upon him, almost by acclama-
ton to support
In the election by the House, Mr.. Adams, In
addition to the votes of the seven States which
had originally supported him, received the votes OF
Maryland, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Mis-
souri, and Louisiana. The votes of the last hive OF
these States were in the hands of Mr.. Clay, be-
cause they were represented in the House by his
personal friends Illinois had but one representa-
tive: Missouri but one; and of the Louisiana del
eyation, but two out of the three were friendly to
Clay. Thus it happened that FOUR MEN, fol-
lowing the dictation of Henry Clay, disposed OF
the votes of THREE STATES, which in the
election by the House balanced the votes of the
great States of Pennsylvania Virginia and North
Carolina each Of which voted against MIR. Adams.
Truly did Mr. Kremer announce, "that men, PRO-
FEssING DEMOCRACY, could be found base enough
w the axe at the very root of the tree of liber.
Sooh 10 Mr. Adams was inaugurated, he
appointed Mr. Clay HE Secretary of State, and
mus was completed every requisition of the foul
saFeain'with which hA stooa ,h.-~-.,
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE ON
CLAY'S NOMINATION.
The appointment of Mr.. Clay, was not confirm
ed by the Senate without strenuous opposition
on the part of those Senators who best understood
the means by which that appointment had been
obtained. The following i. an extract from
speech made upon that occasion by Gov Branch,
Of North Carolina,-See Niles Register, uoL SO,
p.22.
"Has 1t come to this, that nothing but proof
positive of corruption will justify the Senate in
arresting an appointment II so, we are more
degenerate than | had imagined What are the
facts OF this case, as generally admitted to be true
to which we are not at liberty to turn deaf ear?
We see two political opponents. neither having
confidence in the other, at critical moment, when
the loaves and fishes are about to be dipided the
one, in opposition to the well ascertained wishes
of the people of his State, fly into each others
arms, and cordially embrace, without aught ap-
pearing to the world of reconciliation and adjust
ment of former differences. BY which means and
by which alone the one is enabled to grasp the
presidential chair, in violation of the sovereignty
of the'peope with salary of 25 900 per year and
the Senate of the United States is called upon to
aid this President, thus made. to confer on the
other the State department. with salary of $4,000,
and thereby making him heir apparent to the pres
idency."
The vote upon the confirmation stood, =, 81 for it,
to IA against it. This was opposition at that
time entirely Unprecedented in the case of cabi-
net appointment. Many democrats voted for the
confirmation because they were desirous to avoid
the least appearance of actious opposition TO the
new administration; but among those who felt
constrained to vote against it, were the venerable
Nathaniel Macon, of North Carolina; Col Hayne,
of South Carolina Gen. Jackson of Tennessee
Gov Tazewell, of Virginia, and Gov. Branch, Of
North Carolina.
CLAY'S EARLIEST EXCUSE.
The excuse which Mr.. Clay first laid before the
public for his bold and shameless coalition with
Mr.. Adams appeared in the form of a letter to one
of his friends in Virginia. This letter was written
twelve days before the election, but was not pub
lished until after the el ction. BY singular coin
ciience, it is dated on the very day on which the
publication Of Mr.. Kremers letter first announced
the coalition to the world. 1t has every appear
was concluded, and while Mr.. Clay was yet
sgitaed by those fears likely to beset man about
TO enter upon dark of treachery and shame.
We give the letter entire, as found in the 9th |,
volume of Niles Register, at the 2sth pages
"WAsuIN GToN, 2srH JAN. 1925.
".Ny dear Sir:
MY position in regard to the presidential con-
test, is highly critical, and such as to leave me no
path on which can move without censure.
have pursued iUregard to it, the rule which al
ways observe in the discharge Of my public duty.
] have interrogated my conscience as to what
ought to do, and that faithful guide tells me that
ought to vote for Mr.. Adams. | shall fulfil its
iajunctions. Mr.. Crawfords state of health, aud
the circumstances under which he presents himself
TO the house appear to me 10 be conclusive against
him, As friend of liberty and the permanence
OF our Institutions cannot consent, IN this early
stage Of their existence, by contributing to the
election of military chefain to give the strongest
guaranty that this republic will march in the fatal
rna1 trhi bac .oJ 9th |