The Woodstock age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1844-1845, 1844-06-20
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CLAY'S G. A M BLIN Il!

Since the nomination of MIR Clay, the
charge has been frequently repeated by
ourselves as we'll as others, that he has
long been, and still is, addicted to the hab-
it of gambling. That in early life he was
notorious for his skill in games of hazcrd,
no one, not even Clay himself, has ever
denied But since his nomination, some
of his friends have asserted that in this
particular he is a reformed man, and one
individual has gone so far as to say that he
has not, for thirty years, played at games
of chance! We know better than this
In conversation few weeks since with a
gentleman who has spent much time OF
late at Washington and in whose probity
we have the fullest confidence, we were
told that Mr. Clay had been known to in
dulge in his passion for gambling in more
than one instance, during the last six
months, and that ample evidence, if re-
quired, could be furnished at any moment,
The annexed extract from letter
written by Gen, McCnlla, of Lexington.
dated May "a, 1874, will to every candid
mind, place the matter beyond doubt, 1t
may be well to state that the substance of
the charge contained in the letter, had
been repeatedly given in public speeches
at Lexington and elsewhere in the vicinity
of Ashland, and the remarks were made
and the letter written in consequence of
an assertion in one ofthe "Junius tracts"
Mr. Cay's whole history in this country
is so mixed up with his habits at the card
table, that a conversation about him is al
most invariably intermingled with sporting
anecdotes of his past life, If any reiorma-
ton has taken place, it must have been
long since the period fixed by the veraclous
author of Junius. assert, on the authori-
ty of gentlemen of undoubted standing,
that as late as the 4th of July last, he gam
ed at cards, at the place before mentioned,
for moacy, which he mon.-(T TO the amount
of abom TWO HUNDRED DOL
LARS
If Mr. Clay will dare to deny the truth
of the charge, as TO this particular instance
which is given merely as one out OF may
recent instance, | will produce the proof
The witnesses shall be named, and they
must testify or stand mute. There are
, enough who will, although reluctantly,
state the facts
cannot but admire the cool command
of counlenance which his indscrcet friends
must possess, when they attempt to deny
charge so well known and admitted in
-, every circle in which Mr. Clay has moved,
: from that of the British Ambassador at
= Washington, with whom am informed he
y has had many hard set-to down to his
= hard-fayored associates at watering places
. and on steam boats.
Is | am charged with being melted 10 this
> attack on Mr. Clay, by bitter personal NAL
II ice, resulting from attacks made by him on
n me, With these, the public have nothing
" to do, and about them, they care nothing
= | deny personal malice, but avow a deep
:. conviction of Mr. Clay's unitness, from
= his habits, for the station to which he as
i pires; a station which should be held by
d those only, who to talents such as he pos
: sesscs, add the highest qualities of good
= morals and integrity in political life, OF
% which conscieniously believe him to he
c destitute. JNO NJ. McCALLA.
l. Oftlc character of Gen. McCalla, the
5, Lexington Gazette thus speaks, and 1t will
r, be readily concluded that he Is both COM
:. petent, and a credible witness.
cr "Of the character and high standing OF
o, Gen. McCala there would be no necessity
i. ofspeaking among his ncighbors, but as
., he may not be so we'll known abroad, VIC
IN will remark that he was for twelve years
! L. S. Marshal of this State, has several
no times been upon the Democratic ELECTORAL
oJ Ticket in Kentucky, and is now an elector
nd for the State at large on our ticket and
=, that he has long been, and is now,
member of the Presbyterian church Of
y, good standing. But Tor the impudent de-
'0 mails of Clay's friends, and the gross false
- hoods in the tracts of Junius, and in some
nc nc of the Olives of MIR Clay" where it is as
VI serted that he has not gambled for thirty
'a' years, the General would not have felt him,
Is self called on TO say anything in relation
n to the subject That he is abundantly able
n to sustain the charge which he has made
r. will be seen whenever an authorized denial
Is of il is forthcoming"