Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1844-04-13


absolute want of something to say in its
favor. TN. Y. Ere. Post.
From the augusta Ga. ConstitutionaRst.
MR.. CLAY'S POSITION.
The tour of this distinguished gentleman
has created among his friends here, as
elsewhere, no ordinary excitement. His
reception with them was enthusiastic,
though his speech had any other effect
than an increase of that enthusiasm. We
have heretofore, sudiousy RETAINED from
the expression of any opinion, founded
upon distant reports, in order to avoid the
charge Of having committed an act of in
justice to his character. But we have
heard him speak, and were we of the
school of Des Cartes, we would no longer
question the truth of those charges reIa-
tive to his tour, which. in our humble OPT
MON, are SO derogatory'to his reputation.
We have heard him defend his preference
for John Quincy Adams, for the Presiden-
cy, over William II. Crawford, whom, it
was said, age had rendered imbecile, and
over General Jackson, whom Mr.. Clay
regarded, whatever might be his merit as
a soldier, as rash, vindiclive, and wholly
unfit for such an Office. We have heard
him claim the Compromise Act as his
own creature, while he admitted the sac
riiice in principle 10 which it compelled
him to submit. We have heard him de-
fend in old State Rights Richmond, with
parental fondness, a protective tariff, and
display, in The richness of his oratory, its
wonderful benefits. We have heard HIM
advocate, before large assembly of our
citizens, as he has done in the Senate,
Monster Bank. We patiently listened TO
his effort to appeasc the righteous mug
nation Of Georgia, in justification of his
vote, (not his speech, delivered at later
PERIOD; that was kept in the back ground,)
relative TO the Cherokee treaty. And
finally bis peroration, which was, perhaps,
worthy the cause he was defending. He
spoke contemptuously of the democratic
party, who had assumed a name to which
they were not entitled; forgetting, per-
haps, that this name was conferred upon
Mr.. Jefferson and his party as opprobious,
by the very men, whose measures he, MIR.
Clay, is now endeavoring 10 render popu-
Iar.l He spoke of the indignation which
this party la! manifested in regard to the
prac,ises of the wings in 1910, as preten-
ded. He regarded the demonstration then
made of log cabins, and hard cider, as the
effect and not the cause, of deep ele-
mental feeling among the people, aroused
by the government which had SO long
afflicted the country, and he concluded by
saying, in effect, that we will give them
Che democrats more coonery, more hard
cider, more log cabins, in the contest OF
1874. We have heard all this, and it
would be weakness, longer to doubt the
object of his tour, or at least of his visit to
this city.
Placed in the position which Mr.. Clay
occupies before the country, the mind Hal-
urally reverls to the conduct of other illus
trious men, when similarly situated, for a
justification or condemnation of his &C
tons. If we 60 back TO the age of the
Revolutionary Patriots, can we find an in
stance recorded in our annals where a
candidate solicited the office of President
Washington never gave the slightest init
nation of wish 10 be thus elevated. His
modesty shrunk from its awful response
bility. The dffidence inspired by his pa.
trlotism disposed him to shun its obliGa
tons, and to tesire that ADLER men NIGH
bear its burthens. John Adams took nc
part in the contest which elevated to th:
Presidency. In letter to Mr.. Adams, o
June 81, 1913, Mr.. Jefferson states, tina
as soon as the constitution went into oper
alton, new parties were formed, and tina
be and Mr.. Adams were separated. On
party placed Mr.. Adams na.ne al IFS head
the other selected his; but neither of the,
took any part, personally, in the discussion
tchich enSued. The sentiments of Nj
jefferson, when candidate for the Pres
dency, we find in the I'd vol. of Tucker
Lie of Jefferson. "My name, however,
says the author of the Declaration of In
dependence, "was ag in brought fofwar
without concert or expectation on my par
ION my salvation | declare it;) **t o
principles of public respect | should nc
have refused; but | protest, before m
God, that shall, from the bottom of m
heart, rejoice at escaping. knov ire
that no man can erer bring out of that o.
fee, the reputation chich carries him irlt
1t. | have no ambition TO govern men
no passion which would lead me to deligh
!, to tide IN a storm. F1umiRd dmo sylru
que inglorioWs."