Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-10-11

10 the consequences. The letter, however,
was not satisfactory to many Of his friends at
the south. To pacify them. he wrote what
he calls his first letter to Alabama, in which
ne assured them that, personally, he had no
objection to the annexation Of Texas to the
United States. This letter not being deemed
explicit enough. it was thought polite to write
another, going step further. He therefore
gave the public what he calls his second let
ter to Alabama. in which he declared that he
should be glad to see Texas annexed to the
United States. Besides making this declara-
ton. he expressed his strong disapprobation
ct the course Of those who opposed the incor-
poration of Texas into our domain, on the
ground that it would extend and prolong the
reign Of slavery.
The Alabama letters caused as much dis
satisfaction at the North as the other letter
did at the South. Mr.. Clay feels the neces-
SHY of writ g fourth letter to explain and
reconcile the three others, and accordingly we
have his epstle of the 3Oth of September,
which we now publish. In this, he re-affirms
the positions of his first letter, gives a piau-
slble construction to what he had said con-
corning his entertaining nc personal objection
TO the annexation of Texas, and his desire t"
see it take place; but somehow he forgets to
explain away the reprimand bestowed by him
on those who oppose the annexation as extern
ding the sphere of slavery.
We suggest, therefore, to Mr.. Clay the pro-
priety Of writing fifth letter fer the use Of
his friends here at the north, clearing up this
omitted portion-a very short epistIe-ten
lines or so, by way of postscript to his last.
1t is true that he has taken a formal leave of
the public as writer of letters, but in doing
this he did not pledge himself to keep back
what he forgot to say in his letter of leave-ta-
king. friend at our elbow informs us that
he once knew an eminent actor, who, after he
. had performed for the last time, and made his
farewell speech, and retired behind the cur.
tain, came back to add few words by way
of explanation. Let the distinguished actor
who personates different parts with snch inge
nuity upon the stage of politics, follow his
example, and we will ensure him an attentive
hearing at least.
> 1t is with a sort of pity that we see this
man entangled in the net of his own words
and, after having endeavored first to satisfy
one side, and then 10 satisfy the other, weary
ing himself in awkward attempts to reconcile
what he has said to the different parties. The
best policy on all such occasions, is forcib
and clearly to declare ones opinions in thei
, full extent, without attempting so to modify
their expression as to make them seem wha
, they are not. The most successful and pop
uar politician we have had Of late years, has
5 been the man who expressed his political O.
pinions with the most openness and direct
| ncss, Andrew Jackson.
All attempts to balance between opposing
views, when the individual is capable Ct for
! ming a judgment for himself partake of thu
nature of falsehood, and when he is not, the,
are but tokens of incapacity and imbecilty
: Of the latter, without entertaining any higi
: regard for the reasoning powers of Mr.. Clay
we cannot suspect him; but Of insincerity
: of trfing with his own solemn convictions
0 and of uttering irreconciIeable opinions 70
: the sake of popular effect, we hold him, an
y the mass of his countrymen hold him guilty
f In the consequences brought upon him by tina
Il indirect policy he is now painfully founder
o ing, and this has probably led to his determ
If nation to keep silent for the future.