New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-06-22
THE TR lib U N E.
The Personal SANDERS on Henry Clay.

on the attempts now making 10 defeat Tue Nhig
party through the grosscst attacks on the private
character Of Mr.. Clay. We do not copy tins re
saonse of his ncighbors and friends for the sake
ofdciendng the Nations champo IS need
less. But we appeal rather to the generosity and
II, hit feeling of all men of moderate politics TO act
as then would haze oti:3rs act if thep were thus
hunted by the boodhounds Of personal malignity.
We arc sure that Mr.. Clay ought TO gain many
yotcs-we trust he will gain them-on account
of these SANDERS. Hear the Observer:
MR. CLAY AND HIS REvILERs
There is no example in the records of detrac.
ton and calumny OF such pcrscverng, rancor.
Gus and malignant attacks as those which have
been constantly directed towards Mr.. CLAY, dur
;aa the last twenty years. They arose out Of the
fact that he did not deem it his duty, acting CT
ther upon his own judgment, or in conformity
with the wishes OF his constituents whom he rep
resented in the House Of Representatives, to cast
vote for Gen JACKSON as President of the Uni
ted States. His assailants, including the Gene
eral himself seem resolved to persist in these at
tacks, during the Generals lie. Nor are they
confined to his public character and conduct; but,
with 6endish spirit, watching and pursuing him
wherever he goes, in retirement and in private
and social intercourse, his unguarded expressions,
his habits and all his movements are seized for
purposes Of Misrepresentation and malevolent
absse 1t is not now our intention to deal with
the revived calumny Of bargain, &c. often de-
MED, dsproved and triumphantly 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charge; but it was met and repealed with such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 intrepid
competitor (Govcrnor JONES' that he was entire
w silcnced, and we hardly imagine will ever
again attempt to propagate such caumny, III
the gallant and patriotic State of Tennessee.
But our present object relates to Mr. CLAWS
private conduct and character SO indeceDtly al
tempted by his enemies to be exposed TO the gaze
of the world. Being his ighbor, having known
him all our lives, and having received from those
who are older than we are, fall information about
him, prior to the commencement of our OWN
knowledge of him. VIC can speak of him, as wit
nesses who know and believe the truth of that to
which they testify. Forty one years ago, Mr.
CLAY, without his knowledge, was brought fur,
ward by his friends, and elected 10 the General
Assembly of kentucky. From that day to this,
there is no office of trust honor, within the GIT
of the people of Lexington or Fayettc County,
that they would not have readily bestowed an
him. If he desired it. And after he became
known, as he did to the whole State by his pro-
fessional fame, and his services in the Lcglsa-
ture there is no office, at the disposal OF either
the people, or the Legislature Of Kentucky, which
he might have sought, that would not have been
readily conferred on hum. lie never lost a popu
lar election when he was candidate. The at
tachment of the people Of Kentucky 10 MIR. CLAY,
has not been one OF cold, personal respect, or
mere admiration of his talents; but 1t has been
warm, constant and enthusiastic. They have
horne towards him the affection of a friend and
brother and father.
There is not more moral and enlighten'
community in the world, to the extent of the pop
ulatiop, than that of the city of Lexington and
Fayct,c County. Is it possible to believe that
Mr.. CLAY, if he were the immoral, dssolute, aud
debauchcd character which his bitter and maj e.
nant enemies represent him, could have lived IN
the midst of such Il community, for near II ~
years, aud enjoyed throughout that whole tlmc
in an uncxampled degree, Its constant friendship
and confidence? This confidence has been dis-
played in a variety of form. No man has ever
been more attentive and punctua in his private
engagements than Mr. CLAY. He has suffered
sometimes, as others have suffered, by response.
blities for his friends. He is not rich, his pubic
service has prevented his becoming wealthy; hut
no man could ever reproach hun Tor violation oi
any pecuniary obligation or promise. According
w his credit has always Stood as it yet sands, at
the highest point of elevation And, by The way,
we NAV remark, that millions of dollars passed
though his hands, as Speaker of the House Of
Representatives, and Secretary OF State, and the
tonpue of malice has never dared to charge him
with the msapplication OF a single dollar. On
one occasion, after settling his account as Speak
cr at the Treasury, which he invariably did upon
the termination OF every Session, 1t appeared that
there stood to his credit in the Bank, where he
transacted his business, a sum OF fifty thousand
dollars. He stated 10 the Secretary of the Treas
urv that there must be some mistake, but he was
confidently assured that there was none lie sad
that he was equally confident that he had nosuch
amount of money, and requested farther ana
more careful examination, upon which Inc 'act
was discovered that the Treasury had neglected
TO charge him with warrant OF nifty Thousand
dollars. How admirably does this honorable ana
upright course contrast with the peculation,
frauds, and delinquency which have character
lied the conduct of 60 many public servants dur
ing the last fifteen years. Perhaps, no man ever
lived who has been SO often appointed an Exec
utor OF deceased persons as Mr.. CLAY has been
and that by persons in various conditions oil lie :
and such has been the confidence rcpcsed IN his
jul nent, honor, probi,y and capacity for busl-
J nes that the tesiators who appointed him, OIL
4 nos, always dispensed with the surety which,
= without such dlspensaton, the law exacts.
u He has been charged with being addicted To
Il gambling, and foul and opprobous epthets have
y been applied to him. MIR. Clay, at no period Of
his life, ever 50 far forgot the respect due 10 him.
Il self as TO associate with professional gamblers or
attend their public tables. For upward of thirty
years he has played at no game OF hazard what
ever. When iatgucd and oppressed by care and
8 business if he has sought any recreation, it mas
been at chess or whist which, of late years, he
more rarely than ever INDUCES in. He has &c,
sided period of upward oil thiriy.ive years at
Ashland, and we have it from the most undoub!-
Z ed ources, that game Of cards was never played,
az pack OF cards was never in his house, with
nowledge.
&c has the highest respect and greatest defer.
icl for religion, and its Ministers; and we be.