The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-07-05
MR.. CLAY AND HIS REvILERs.

There is no example, in the records of de-
traction and calumny of such persevering, ran
corous, and malignant attacks as those which
have been constantly directed towards Mr.. Clay,
during the last twenty years. They arose out
OF the fact that he did not deem it his duty, act
ing either upon his own judgment, or in con-
formty with the wishes Of his constituents
whom he represented in the House of Represen-
tatves, to cast a vote for General Jackson as
President of the United States. His assaans,
including the General himself, seem resolved to
persist ia these attacks, during the G neral's
life. Nor are they confined 10 his public charac-
ter and conduct; but, with fendish spirit,
watching and pursuing him wherever he goes,
in retirement and in private and social inter-
course, his unguarded expressions, his habits,
and all his movements, are seized for purposes
Of misrepresentation and malevolent abuse. 1t
is not now our intention to deal with the revived
calumny Of bargain, &C., so often denied, dis
proved, and tIiumphantly refuted. We would
as soon handle putrid carcass During the
canvass in Tennessee, last year, Mr.. Polk, on
several occasions, attempted to use that stale
| charge; but it was met and repealed with such
indignant spirit by his able, eloquent, and intre-
pid competitor Governor Jones) that hewas en-
lirely silenced, and we hardly imagine will ever
again attempt to propagate such calumny in
the gallant and patriotic State of Tennessee.
But our present object relates to Mr.. Clay's
private conduct and character, SO indecently at
tempted by his enemies to be exposed TO the
gaze of the world Being his neighbor, having
known him all our lives and having received
from those who are older than we are, full in
formation about him, prior to the commence
ment Of our own knowledge of him, we can
speak of him, as witnesses who know and be-
lieve the truth Of that to which they testify.
Forty-one years ago, Mr.. Clay, without his
knowledge, was brought forward by his friends,
| n,I olo 81 a ,,fH
| lucky. From that day to this, there is no office
of trust or honor, within the gift of the people
of Lexington or Faye county, that they would
not have readily bestowed on him, if he desired
it. And after he became known as he did to the
whole State by his. professional fame, and his
services in the Legislature, there is no office, ar
the disposal Of either the people or the Legisla
ture of Kentucky, which he might have sought,
that would not have been readily conferred on
him. He never lost a popular election when he
was a candidate. The attachment of the people
OF Kentucky to Mr.. Clay has not been one of
cold, personal respect, or mere admiration OF his
talents but il has been warm, constant, and
enthusiastic. They have borne towards him
the affection of friend and brother and father.
There is not more moral and enlightened
community in the world, to the extent of the po-
pulation, than that Of the city Of Lexington and
Fayette county. Is it possible to believe that
Mr.. Clay, if he were the immoral, dissolute, and
debauched character which his and malignant enc
mics represent him, could have lived in the midst
of such community, for nearly fifty years, and
enjoyed throughout that whole time, in an unex-
ampled degree, its constant friendship and conf
dence? This confidence has been displayed in
every variety of form. No man bias ever been
more attentive and punctual in his private engage
ments than Mr.. Clay He has suffered, some
times as others have suffered, by responsibilities
for his friends. He is not rich; his public SER
vice has prevented his becoming wealthy but no
man could ever reproach him for violation of any
pecunary obligation or promise. Accordingly his
credit has always Stood as yet stands, at the high
est point of elevation. And, by the way, we may
remark, that millions Of dollars passed through
his hands, as Speaker Of the House of Represen.
tatives, and Secretary of State, and the tongue
of malice has never dared to charge him with the
misapplication of single dollar. On one occa-
sion, after settling his accounts, as Speaker, at
the Treasury, which he invariably did upon the
termination of every session, it appeared that
there stood to his credit in the bank, where he
transacted his business, sum of fifty thousand
dollars. He stated to the Secretary of the Trea-
sury that there must be some mistake, but he was
confidently assured that there was none. He said
that he was equally confident that he had no such
amount of money, and requested further and
more careful examination, upon which the fact
was discovered that the Treasury had neglected
dollars. How admirably does this honorable and
upright course contrast with the peculaton,
frauds. and delinquency, which have characterized
the conduct of SO many public servants during
the last fifteen years! Perhaps no man ever
lived who has been so often appointed an execu-
tor of deceased persons az Mr.. Clay has BEEN
and that by persons in various conditions of life
and such has been the confidence reposed in his
Judgment, honor probity and capacity for business,
that the testators who appointed HIM, almost al
ways dispensed with the surety which, without
such dispensation, the law exacts
He has been charged with being addicted to
gambling, and foul and opprobrious epithets have
been applied to him. Mr.. Clay, at no period of
his life, ever so far forgot the respect due 10 him
self as to associate with professional gamblers
or attend their public tables. For upwards of
thirty years he has played at no game of hazard
whatever. When fatigued and oppressed by
care and business, if he has sought any recrea-
ton, il has been at chess or whist which IF