The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-07-08
The Personal ISLANDERS on Mr. Clay,

Wo not copy thisIesponse of his by neshbors and
friends for the sake of defending the Nat IONS cham
pon that is needless. But appeal rather to tho
generosity and right feeling Of ali of moderate
politics to act they would have others act if they
thus hunted by the boodhounds of personal ma
lisnity. We that MIR Clay ought to gain
many votes--we trust he will gain them-on account
orthese climbers. Hear the Observer:
MIR CLAY AND HIS REvILERs.
There is example in the records Of dctrncton
and caumny Of such persevering runcorous and ma
ignant attacks those which have been constantly
directed towards Mr. Clay, during the last twenty
years. They of tho fact thut he did not
deem il his duty, acting either upon his judg-
ment, in lormty with the wishes OF his consti-
tucnts whom he represented in the House of Repre-
senatives,t to cast vote for GEN. JACKSON Pres
ident Of the United States. His assaiants including
the General himself resolved to persist in these
attacks, during the Generals life. Nor are they con
fined 10 his public character and conduct; but, with
II fnedsh spirit watching and pursuing him wherev-
he goes, in retirement and in private and social
intercourse his unguarded expressions his habits and
all his movements seized for purposes of misrep-
resenation and maevolent abuse. II is not now our
intention TO deal with the revived caumny of bar
gain, Sc often denied, disproved and triumphahtly
reruted. We would handle putrid carcass.
During the ia Tennessee, last year Mr. Polk
several occasions, attempted to the stale
charge; but it met and repealed with such indig-
spirit by his able, eloquent and intrepid compet-
itor Governor JoNEs) that he was entirely senced,
and We hardly Imagine will again attempt to pro-
pngate such cnlnmny, in the gallant and pltriotic
State OF Tennessee.
pNtr MO nv, i.rtr .1t,n, O., NJ
vu,e conduct and character, ndecenlly attempted
by his enemies 10 be exposed 10 the gaze of the
world. Being his ncglbor having known him all
our lives ard having received from those who ar old
er than we are, fnll Information about him, prior to
the commencement Of our own knowledge of him.
we can sreab Of him, Witnesses who knew, ard
believe the truth ofhnt TO which they testify Forty
one years ago, Mr. CRAY without his Acknowledgements
brought forward by his friends, and elected to the
General Assembly of Kentucky. From that day to
This, there is Office of trust honor within gift of
the people Of Lexington or FAyeue County, that they
would not have readily bestowed him, If he desir-
ed it. And after he beca me known as he did TO tho
whole State by his professional fame and his services
in the Legislature, there is no office at the disposa
of either the people, or the Legislature of Kentucky,
which he might have sought that won d not have been
readily conferred on him. lie never lost n popular
election when he a candidate. The attachment
oGthe people OF Kentucky to Mr. CLAY, has not been
one Of cO!d personal respect, admiration of
his tuents but it has warm, constant and cnlhu
sinstic. They have borne towards him the affection
Of II friend and brother and rather. ."
There is not moral and enlightened COM
munily in the world to the extent Of the population
Than that OF the city Of Lexington aud Fayete Coun
Is il DOsSible Thar Mr. CIAy il he ,yaro ,La
moral, dssoute, and debauched character which his
bitter and malignant enemies represent him, could
have lived in the midst Of such community, for near
fifty years, and enjoyed throughout the whole time,
in unexamped degree, its constant friendship and
cOnfIence' This confidence has been displayed in
II variety Of forms No man has been more at
tentive and punctua in his private engagements than
Mr. CLAY. lie has suffered, sometimes as others
have suffered, by responsibilities for his friends lie
is rich, his public service has prevented his be.
coming wealthy; but could ever reproach
him for violation of any pecunary obligation or prom
ise Accordingly his credit has always stood, MS it
yet stands, ut the highest point Of elevation And.
by the way we may remark that millions OF dollars
passed through his hands, as Speaker of the House
of Representatives, and Secretary of State, and tho
tongue OF malice has never dared TO chnrge him with
the msappcaton of dollar On one OCCASION ar-
Ter settling his account, Speaker, at the Treasury
which no invariably did upon differentiation of eva-
ny Session, appeared that there stood to his credit
in the Bank, where he transacted his business sum
of fifty thousand dollars lie stated to the Secretary
of the Treasury that there must be mistake but
he confidently assured that there was none He
said that he equally confident that he had no such
amount of money, and requested farther and more
careful examination, upon which the fact wns discov-
cred that the Treasury had neglected charge him
with warrant Of fifty thousand dollars How adn1i-
fably does this honorable and upright course contrast
with the pecuation, frauds, and delinquency which
have characterized the conduct OF many public
servants during the last fifteen years! Perhaps no
nan lived who BIAS been often appointed IN
Executor OF deceased persons MIR CLAY has been,
md that by persons in various conditions of life; and
uch has been the confidence eposed in his judgment
,onor, prOby and capacity for business hat the tes-
ators who appointed him, almost always dispensed