The Virginian

voice may be drowned in the din of contending parties, and a just and generous people be led by the feverish excitement of the moment to do acts of signal injustice, yet that voice will in time be heard in all its commanding tones. and that people, betrayed and deceived by designing men, will fly to retrieve the injuries they have caused. There is nothing more certain than that this State would have preferred Mr. Adams next to Mr. Crawford at the last presidential election. and that Gen. Jackson would not then have had the most remote prospect of obtaining its vote. This will not be controverted. And it was not until the allegation of a corrupt coalition be- tween Adams and Clay had been industriously spread, and the personal as well as political enemies of those two distinguished men, had by the boldness and reiteration of the charge, shaken the confidence of the people in their political honesty. it was not until then. I say, that. Jackson began to gather strength, and rise, not upon his own merits. but upon the supposed demerits of others. Virginia lent an attentive ear to the representations of those of her sons whom she had honoured with seats in the councils of the nation Most of them from causes which I shall not enquire into, have manifested towards the administration. and particularly towards Mr. Clay. an opposition so violent that plain men. I fear. will be apt to think that there must be some personal dislike, some disappointment or some envy at the bottom of so much rancour. -This might be doing them injustice, and might be ascribing to improper motives conduct which sprung from the most disinterested patriotism.-But many people will put this construction upon their course : yet even they, in their great and over excited zeal, have produced an effect not contemplated and not wished, so true is it that excesses are always dangerous.-In confirmation of this opinion, I will remark, that Mr. Rives (the member from this district) in his address to the people of this county at the last election. delivered a speech so entirely one sided; manifested (I say it boldly) so much illiberality in his exposition of the principles of the administration ; was so un candid in his animadversions on its policy : was so uncharitable in his remarks on Mr. Adams and particularly Mr. Clay. who. had he been present, would have frowned into silence his bold, because self-secure accuser, ; and, in fine. Mr. Rives exhibited so much passion and so much of the spirit of party, that he injured the cause of Gen. Jackson, as well as his own popularity. It would not seem presumptuous, I would here address Mr. Rives in the language of a friend.-I would tell him. that he has lent him self (hope unconsciously) too much to the headlong spirit of a party; that he has, with a daring, but I fear imprudent boldness staked his fortunes on the contest between Adams and Jackson ; that he has, in truth, linked himself to the impetuous car of the hero of New Orleans. If Jackson is successful, and, in administering the General Government, should equal the hopes of his friends, Mr. Rives is safe. If Jackson is not successful in the canvass. or. if successful & he should afterwards pursue the policy proscribed by Virginia, as many think he will do, upon what grounds will Mr. Rives find himself cast ? under what canopy will he take refuge ? But to return. The people disliked Adams and Clay because they had been told they were corrupt and intriguing politicians And this charge. heretofore so widely spread, has never. until lately, assumed a tangible shape.-The charge has now been openly preferred by a responsible person, under his own sign manual I, am sure the friends of Mr. Clay must heartily rejoice that it is so. Mr Clay has boldly met it, and I would exultingly ask if the candor does not breathe through every word and line of his address to the public, the indignant feelings of an injured man, proud and conscious of his own innocence. -As the matter now stands. do not justice and charity proclaim Mr. Clay innocent There are some who will never acknowledge Mr Clay innocent, though I am confident they must believe so ; " For he that is convinced against his will Will be of the same opinion still." But I know that some who believe him guilty of the base charge preferred against him, have so deeply, dangerously acquired him ; and that he will be restored to the confidence of the great mass of his fellow citizens, I entertain not the least doubt; that he will rise higher and higher in their estimation as truth pours in her light. I firmly believe; that his abusers will be silenced by the convinced and undeceived people and that they will unite their aims to save him from the fire of his enemies, I equally as confidently believe GALLUS. Amherst Cty. August 16.