Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1845-05-29
MIR. CLAY.

! The reader will find, on the first page brief ard
admirable article. from thai allie paper, The Alexandria
Gaz-'te. commenting upon that recently appeared
IN The Rchmond Enquirer, IN reference IN Mr.. Cla,'-
happy agency in adjusting The Missouri question. The
Enquirer regions in the following paragraph:
I'VE can assure The Alexandra Gszette that we are
disposed To do full justice to Mr.. Clay Had he re-
malned true 10 the principles whnh he advocated the
time oi the Missouri Compromise, he might have reap
ed the rleh rewards Of a consistent political life. As
soon as he abandoned, however. his early faith aud
sought after rev gods" IN the shape Of loose and tx
ra7agant constructions II tie constitution, the people
withheld their confidence. aud, after many trials doom
ed him 10 retirement. Whether IT will BIZ final re
trent lf1m the and troubles of public life We shall
not undertake 10 predici-the issue is the hands Of
the people. Bnl we can say with clear conscience
thai thus far the nation has acted with rectitude and
independence IN smohefine the ambition Of Henry Clay,
above all praise"
We should like to be pointe 10 the evidences If Mr..
Gays overweenng ambition. That he is ambitious 10
certain extent, we very cheeruy admit; but that he
would promote his personal advancement by the sacrifice
OF concealmenl Of any opinion which he enelians, no
man acquainted with his hislnry believes Indeed had
he been destitute of fixed opinions" as Gen jackson
was when he elected Presidenl-or had he been
mon -commtal." like Van Buren-or had he PLAYED
''H' sH"m, line MI IuIk--ne would long apn nave
been President. But "oflce cannot add a cubic to
his STATURE which, without lis elevation. over
shadows the "piemes perched on Alps' by whom he
has been superseded the sppngs of the highest STA
ton have never possessed attraction enough for mind
like his 10 induce him finch from the duty Of openly
proclalminy and boldly maintaining whatever opinion
he might honestly entertain. He has never had the
faint hearted ness To
'Snit his doctrines To the varying hnur''--
!" be Tor the Bank when it popular and against it
when lie 'de OF public prejudice arully excited crush
ed that lnstiulio-io be ir Tariff when the voice Of
the whole Union demanded the protection of our capital
skill and industry against Overwhelming foreign rivalry
and against H. mhen for political purposes. the public
passions IN one section Of the Union had become na
med against II; aud on in reference tu every preat
question which has arisen from the commencement of the
present century.
The Enquirer asserts that Mr. Clay has not remained
trn" to the principles he advocated at the time of the Mis-
sonri compnmise. Indeed What principle then adyo.
Gated by him, has he since abandoned? We DEFY the
Enquirer 10 point to one Is ho in favor of Rank now
80 was he then Ills support of The Bank Of 1916 was
'n' as II IS now matter Of record Is he in favor of
rfoee'se lanf no"1 So was he them as his speeches
testify. What principle, then has he abandoned2 Not
one II Sowing to specons generailies like hs-and
10 dennncaons based upon them unfounded as the
are ungentrons-ha, the greatest public benefac,or of
the aye has been osracsed by his countrymen adding
another 10 the many other lnstrious examples Of pub
lie ngraifude while men whose swords and shields
bear no marks of service and whose very names had only
limited local celebrity, have been conspicuous, ds,in
gnshed by their favor.