Daily National Intelligencer

FOR THE NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.

"The Doves are censured, whilst the crows are spared."

One of the most lucid speeches that has been delivered on the floor of Congress—and one that will serve the public as an epitome of Federalism, as well as an ample refutation of the arguments of the opposers to the war, was delivered by Mr. Clay (Speaker) on Friday and Saturday last. Already have the faction prints, and especially the notorious Federal Republican, began to fulminate their foul matter, hoping no doubt, to make an unfavorable impression of its real merits upon the public mind. It is denounced as "shocking blasphemy." It is however a source of no small gratification to the writer of this article, that Mr. Clay's speech will, in due time, speak for itself—when 'tis presumed these "men of sense, decency and honor," who have been made so adroitly to stand in the foreground, as props to this fabric, will, with their dexterous manager, fall into ruins—whilst truth, mighty truth, will prevail.

Attempts like these, to shade the strong points of a luminous and forcible description, are common with these gentry. They know too much of human nature, not to use every exertion to make a first impression. But they will be unable to darken a prospect, at which the whole combination, from the famous Essex Junto, down to the thoughtless follower of detraction, are now trembling

This charge of "shocking blasphemy," is intended the more immediately to affect the religious world, whose rights of conscience have been assailed,* and by some who are styled leaders in the present opposition, and to beget in it an aversion to the "shocking blasphemer;" and consequently lessen their regard to what this gentleman has spoken. The religious world are not to be duped by such hypocritical appeals—Religious people do, or ought, in a special degree, to cherish that good maxim in law "Every man should be supposed innocent, until he is proved guilty"—and if they attend to this, or to that notable rule of sure conduct—Do unto all men as ye would that they should do unto you,"

they will never be led into precipitate conclusions unfavorable to the character of a fellow being, by the craftiness of aspiring and designing parties; and above all others will they shun the councils of the man who has attributed the terms "shocking blasphemy" to him whose conduct has evidenced to the world his love of country, and consequently his love of its civil and religious rights—for by the former is the latter secured to us.

The writer of this article had the gratification to hear this eloquent speech delivered, and without anticipating its formal appearance, by stating what was really said, with its connexions, he will assure the pious, and the friends of our most holy religion, that the expressions were free both in the manner of their being delivered, and in their application, from even the least tinge of blasphemy."

But the object of this address is not so much to meet the contortions of this affair, as it has been handed to the public, as it is to beseech the good people of this community to read it with attention when it is published. It is evidently the Same with lengthy speeches, as with voluminous publications, they are both rejected because of their length. That there are exceptions to this rule, is admitted; but generally speaking, if they are short, they are read; if long, they are not read. The writer hopes a general exception will be taken to the speech above referred to, and that ALL the people will read it, and there can be no question but that all, except those who have yielded their sober senses to the sickening opiates of faction, will congratulate their country on the appearance of so much light on the subjects of factious intrigue, and sophistical arguments against their beloved country.

* Somewhere about the time that Samuel Chase lost his bill in the Maryland Legislature to revive the old established church of England, so called, when he said, "So sure as there will be a resurrection from the dead, so sure shall this bill rise again." Somewhere about this time, or the time when it was thought ripe for the contemplated resurrection, a prelate of that order, to shew the necessity of such a revival, said, in one of his publications. "Since the days of Constantine to the present day, religion has been suffered to wander about in the character of a Mendicant."