The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1844-01-26


y qualified to Judge: and he would have
proved strangely false TO his professions,
10 his country, and 10 his own fame, if, with
his strong convictions in regard TO the wide
ly differing characters OF these eminent
men, and of their respective claims TO civic
honors, he had, for a single moment, hesi
tated as TO the course which duty so PLAIN
ly indicated, and so forcib!y urged him to
adopt. Why, then, it may be asked, did
he abandon those advantages TO which we
have adserted as attaching TO the Office OF
Speaker, and accept prominent appoint
men, in the Cabinet of The statesman whom
his influence had placed in that high office
which he filled with so much dignity AID
usefulness The whole Of Mr.. C!ay's pre-.
vlous life furnishes the answer. lie &c.
cepIed the appointment that he might have
the power, more successfully and in q mere
emlnen, degree, Of serving his country, by
forming part Of, and aid IN sustaining an I'D
mlnistration, for the honor and success Of
which he felt himself, in q measure, Justly
responsible to the people. And here again
he exhibited an example Of moral courage,
and OF sell.deyoton for which We may
search in vain for parallel, unless indeed
we find i. in other periods Of his noble his
tory. He was well aware Of the violence
of the storm Of calumny, and of the exas-
peraiion and malignant Jealousy and hatred
sith which he would be assaled by those
who had endeavored 10 obslruct his manly
course in the path Of duty, honor and pa
patriotism, but, with nobeness OF purpose
and courage which ill,endear his name TO
all future generations, he made his electlt q
and decided FOR HIS COUNTRY If he had
se'ishly calculated the personal consequent
ces Of his patriotic course in regard TO this
matter, be would have abandoned the man
whom his influence had elevated 10 the Pre-.
sIdency, TO the relentless and unprlnclped
opposition Of those who, like Mr.. Richard
NJ. Johnson, could declare in advance, ,ha.
the administration of Mr.. Adams should be
put dorm, if as pure as The angels at The
right hand of God" ln recent speech
delivered to hls constituents by MIR. Clay,
be thus al,ud With entire absence Of IN.
hiu0ig .seiiH-, '1lhs consequences, person.
al TO him:eli, y i followed upon his De.
termination 70 Gr. part Of the admins.
tra,ion of this distinguished slaes nan
My error in accepting the Office que out
Of my undertaking the power of detfaclon
and The force Of ignorance, and abiding
With too sure confidence IN the conscious
integrity ard upriehtuess OF my motives
OF that ignorance had remarkable and
laughabie example on an occasion which
will relate. was travelling in lS2o
through Spotlsylvania in Virginia, on my
return to Washington, IN company with
some young friends. We halted at night
at tavern, KEEP, by an aged gentleman
who / quickly perceived, from the disorder
aad confusion which reigned, had not the
happiness 10 have wife. After hurried
and bad supper the old gentleman So. down
by me, and without hearing my name, but
understanding that | was from Kentucky
remarked that he had four sons in tina
State, and that he was very sorry they wert
divided in politics, two being for Adams
and two for Jackson. Why asked him
Because, SAID he, that fellow Clay, ant
Adams, had cheated jackson Of the Presi
dency.' Have you ever seen any evidence
my old friend, said /, Of that NO. be
replied, none, and be wanted 10 see none
D"si -A--------!. l.-l--cs L----l.-aailst aa4
steadily in the face, suppose Mr.. Clay were
TO come here, and assure you uron bis hon
or that It was a vile caumny, and no, q
word Of truth in il, would you believe him
No, replied the old gentleman, promptly
and emphatcally. ! said 10 him in ccnclu
sion, will you be good enough to show M
10 bed, and bade him good night. tn,
mex. morning, having in the interval Learn
cd my name, be came 10 NE full Of apollo
eies, but ! al once put him al ease, BY as
surfing him that did not feel 10 the slight
est degree hurt or offended with him."
In addition 10 the evidence We have ad
duced Of the absurdlty and utter cllsi,v O
these charges, the testimony IS upon record
Of Gen. Lafayette, at this period tho ma
tons honored guest Of the Hon. John J
CriItenden, the present worthy successo
OF Dir. Clay in the Senate, and Of the entr'
delegation Of that day in Congress from
Kentucky, which sustains IN the most une
quyocal manner, the statement Of Mr.. Clay
that his course had been determined upon
and widely proclaimed long before his de
parture from Kentucky TO enter anew upor
his congressional duties.
" Time as lie courses onward
Still unroil5 the volume Of concealment,n
and the miserable slanderer, if not exposed
by The treachery Of his proflga,e accom-
pieces, if often prompted by the upbrading
Of restless conscience 10 make spontane
GUS atonemen. for the injuries inflicted il
wanton malice, or 10 earnest of expected
or Of promised reward.
The recent voluntary disclaimer Of Car
ter Beverly, Of Virginia, who, whether a,
the instrument of Gen. jackson, with whom
we regret TO cay, they originated. or 10 the
qualification Of weak propensity, 10 med
die, and desire to gain for himself momen.
tary Importance, gave circulation TO the
slanderous aspersons, should forever disa
buse the minds of all who lent a credulous