The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1844-01-26
From the Philadelphia Independent.
A STALE ISLANDER REFUTED

charge of Bargain and Sale, made q.
ganst the Great Western Statesman and |
Mr. John Quincy Adams, in regard 10 the I
Influence Of the former in eleciing the lai
ter TO the Office of President, 1t is impos
slble that any well informed man can be-
lleye II. The following statement of the
charge, and lis triumphan, reiu,a,ion, we
extract from " The Clay Minstrel" little !
volume that will soon be 10 brisk demand
among The Wings. This little work con.
talns great number Of popular songs, to-
gelher with spirited "SkeIch OF the Life
and Character OF Henry Clay" written by
o gentleman OF GermanloWn.
The election, as had been anticipated,
now devolved on the House Of Representa-
lives, and the position occupied by Mr..
Clay was one of extreme difficulty, delca.
cy and importance. His personal and off.
cal influence was immense, upon his dc.
clsion, the fate Of the candidates was sus.
pended, and his course, therefore, became
an object Of great soicllude 10 the nation.
His opinions haf Aol been concealed in re-
gard to the three individuals who, by con.
stltutional provision, we're returned 10 the
House. Ia letters and in conversation, long
before it was understood that the election
would devolve upon Congress, he had ex
pressed his prediction, and declared The
course he should take 10 the event Of fail
ure 90 the part of the people TO elect their
President.
The evident physical inability Of Mr.
Crawford TO discharge the duties Of the
Presidency, narrowed the choice of The
House to the two highes, candidates, Messrs.
Adams and jackson and while the issue
was yet undetermined, an infamous attempt
was made by the impuiation Of corrupt mo-
tives, TO force Mr.. Clay into the abandon.
men. of his well known preference Of the
former. The calumny found flung ye'
hlcle in rabid and scurrllous newspaper
published at Philadelphia and being caught
up and re.echoed By the affiliated presses
throughout the Uuion, was made the text
of disappointed and unp,ncipled parllzaus,
by ringing the changes on which they sue
ceeded, 10 a considerable extent, 10 decely.
ing the ignoran, and unreilecting.
The charge was, in substance, that by an
understanding between Mr.. Adams and NJ.
Clay, the latter was to receive the appoint.
ment Of Secretary Of State IN rerdrd toi
his vote and influence IN placing the former
in the Presidential Chair II is extremely
difficult at this late day TO record with pa.
thence SANDER so vile in itself, and so alb.
surdly destitute Of truth or probability to
support or excuse lis malignant fabrication.
What was Mr.. Clny's position in public
affairs at this umel The simple answer
TO this question is conclusive REPUTATION
Of the charge. He occupied The chair Of
Speaker Of The House Of Representatives Of
the people OF the United States. In the
discharge o! The duties Of this high aud re.
sponslble Office, at tina, lime second oDly to
that of the President, he had acquired re-
putation coextenslge with the country, and
was an object Of nteres, and pride to the
whole people as the " unrivalled Speaker"
Could the exchange Of the advantages, the
Influence and the reputation attendant upon
this elevated station, for the drudgery, 10.
adequate compensation and comparative Oh.
scurIty-so far as this country was con.
cerned-of Secreiaryship be regarded as
a REWARD by him who would consen, &c
---LN ii But The SANDER was reiterated
over and again by rn0sv " - :. -.
been originally promulgated, until large
body of the peop!e-that people 10 WHOM
he had been so long, so successfully and SC
earnestly dcyo!ed-!orge;iul of his pre- .eml
neut services. and Of his high claims from
character, station and fame, TO their unlim
lied confidence and regard, at length gave
cfedence 10 it, aud sympathIsing with the
party whom they enormously supposed tC
be injured, did grIevous Injustice to men
whose past history and elevated standing
placed them above temptation, and should
have sheltered them from imputa,icu or
suspicion Of wrong.
1t is not, We believe, generally known
that Mr.. Madison, at the CONNIE ncement oil
the war, designed TO appoin, Dir. Clay
Commander 10 Chef Of the Army Of the
United States. For his eminent fitness foI
a station involving duties so arduous anC
responsible, no doubts were entertained
then, so universally favorable was the i'm.
preston IN regard to his versatile talents,
and none who are acquainted with Mr..
Clay, or possess knowledge of his char.
acter, temperament and services vii enter.
tain them now. He was, however, the
main supper: Of the Madlsonlau admins
istration, and could 10! be spared from the
House, for which reason only his nomira.
ton to the Senate was withheld By the Pre-.
sldent. Here was very strong proof oil
the confidence Of Dir. Madison in the abiIi,
~, patriotism and courage Of Mr.. Clay,
who afterwards declined repeated offers Of
appointment 10 the highest Offices in the
besiowmeut Of this gentleman, whooe est.
mate OF his talents was so exalted that he
twice rendered him seat in his Cabinet,
and when this was declined, foreign mis-.
sion Of the first grade.
BY Mr.. Monroe, the successor of Mr..
Madison, he was indeed importuned TO &C.
cept a Secretaryship, aud when be found
that he could not prevail upon Mr.. Clay 10
comply with his earnest wish in this matter.