Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-07-04

10 show what is sad ON the SUBJECT al ion'c'
and i, NAV not BE- amiss al the same time also 10
ropy from the Gazette the following reference 10
The author of Tie letter, as regards his standing
( al credihility:
"Of the character and high standing Of Gen.
AIcC,alla there would be no necessity OF speaking
among his neiehbols but as he may not be so
well tnown abroad we will remark that he was
for twelve years t. ). Marshal vi this State, hes
several times been upon the Democratic kiccto-
raj Tickle, in Kentucky, and is now an Elecor
for the State at large on our ticket and thai ne
has long BEEN and is now, a member OF inc fieN-
bvterian Church Of good standing But ior me
! iinpmlent denial, OF Mr. Clay's friends, and the
| eros, falsehoods in the tracts OF lunilis, ana III
| some of the Lives Of Mr.. Clay, Where II IS as-
serted that he has not gambled ior thirty years HE
/ General would not have felt himself called on 10
say any thing in relation 10 the subject That he
| * abundant,y able 10 subs,antiate the charge
which he has made will De seen whenever an au-
I thorized denial oi i; IS forthcoming
Mr.. CLAWS GAMING.
LEXINGTON, May 81 1871.
/ n, tJs Editor al TIC k,atnc.y GG::ctic:
I Sir-somc time ago The ih numter Of "ihe
Iunins Tracts" containing the life OF Henry Clay,
was placed in my hands. Among some OF lis I'M
nuden; urcyarcationS was particularly sruca
| with the following
"In 1919 wien invited TO game Of bragg, he
(Nr. Claw replied, Excuse me, gentlemen,
have MOI played a game of hazard for more than
twelve years. and take this opportunity 10 warn
YOU all 10 avoid practice destructive OF good
name. and drawing after il evil consequences OF
incalcuabie magnitude"
The evident object of the author Is to excite the
belief that Mr.. Clay has not, since that time
PLAYED cards for money, or gained. Bragg is a
8 "A fhn ftis laiI ND
inference apply 10 such games About the same
tille. public declarations were made in one Of the
leading New YORK papers friendly 10 Mr.. Clay:
that he was reformed man in that particular, and
had not canned for many years.
In a speech which made soon after seem. thai
tract stated my convictions that Mr. Clays ha-
hts were unchanged, ard that he still continued
that practice, which he is represented by Junius
TO have stigmatized "a destructive OF good
name referred 10 case as late as the 4h OF
JULY last, which occurred near Lexington where
he played and won between one and two hundred
dollars. as was informed BY a gentleman who
was present and perhaps played at The same Ia
bic On, did not bet.
was assailed b. a Lexington Editor FOR hay
inc made that assertion, and dared 10 the proof
did not wish TO 90 into public controversy up
on such subject, although well aware that the
fact was notorious in Ill this country, ana esPe-
ciallv al the puolic watering places in Kentucky,
on the steamboats, of the Ohio and MISSISSIPPI,
and in Lexington, Washington City and New
Orleans. That, in fact, there were thousands who
had been cye-witnesses OF the fact
again. in speech in Mercer, alluded IN
good natured way 10 Mr.. Clay's successful skiii
in c.r,i- PLAYING, but not relying upon That as SUI
ficicnt to defeat his claims TO public ONCE, even
among protesting Christians; many OF wno:n,
fine clergy, have hitherto supporter MN
for the Presidency, with a full knowledge OF Tins
habit
This last speech has blown up the ire OF Inc ea-
i,or of Inc Frankfort Commonwealth, who has
assaicd me in his paper Of the Goth inst, with
vulgarity and folly. He says
make the charge against Mr.. Clay on negro tes-
timony He will find himself mistaken leave
il for him andt gentleman OF the highes! stand
ing in Lexington" who has authorized hln 20
use Harry BrueI's alias brennans Harry's, denial
Of n statement which never made, TO choose
such associates allies and witnesses iisislile
their association is very appropriate. and ! VIII
not disturb il. Neither will retalate the charge
ofiasnuiiy upon the Editor of the Commonwealth;
do not suppose that the amount oil his intellect
would ever place him in SO high scale as luna
cv Idiocy comes nearer 10 his grade.
Mr.. Claws whole history in this country is so
mixed up with his habits Al the card table, that
about him is almost Invariably in
,erminrled with sporting anecdotes OF his past
life Ii any reformation has taken place, it must
have been long since the period fixed by the We
racious author Of Junlus assert, on the a'llho-
ritv az gentlemen Of undoubted standing, that as
late as the lth Of July last, be gained at cards, at
the place before mentioned, .for money chiab Ac
lrOH.
II Mr. Clay will dare 10 deny the truth of the
charge, as to this particular instance, which IS
given as merely one out Of many recent instances,
/ will produce the proof. The witnesses shall be
named and they must testify or stand mute
There arc enough who will, although reluctantly,
state the facts
/ canno; but admire the cool command OF coun-
tenance which his indiscreet 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 Amhas-
sador at Washington, with whom am informed
he has had many hard se-to down 10 his hard
favored associates al watering places and on
steam boats.
am charged with being melted 10 this attack
on Mr. Clay bv bitter personal malice resulting
from attacks made by him on me. With these,
The public have nothing to do, and about Them
they care nothing deny personal malice, but
avow deep conviction OF Mr.. Clay's unhlness
from his habits for the station TO which he aSpircs
station which should be held by those only, who
10 talents such as he possesses, add the higher
qualities OF good morals, and integrity in poll
,ical life, OF which | conscieniiousy believe
him 10 be destitute.
JOHN NJ. McCALLA.
We have no fancy for personal investigations
ofthiS description, necessary and proper though
they DC in regard 10 the character OF men who
present themselves 10 the country for lis highest
trusts, and wholesome indeed as they are in the
general effect notwithstanding their liability 10
abuse under the influence of passion and excite
ment. We would not, therefore, in all likelihood,
have touched upon Mr.. Clay and games of haz-
ard either directly or indirectly, were not that
course OF elcctioneering, at once hyrocritical
and deceptive, has been rcsorted TO, for the pur-
pose OF misleading the public mind, from which we
fear Mr.. Clay himself is not altogether exempt
Were his friends candidly TO admit his faults and
endeavorto prove that they are oyerbaanccd By his
virtues, there would at least be manliness in il by
wayof recommendation; but the system Of blunt
denial which has been adoped-such as .ha, in
The Junius Tracts, in reference 10 gamblmg-com-
bincd with awkward Alterations OF superior sane
tity, such as Mr. Clays refusal to write line on
the Sabbath, in endorsement of The views OF the
Peace Society, which was set forth in such mag
niloqucn terms, at the recent Anniversary Of that
Associaton-is in every respect 50 at variance
with lair dealing that il becomes 4 duty III those