Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1844-10-11
From the Boston Pos
FRO AND CON;
HENRY CLAY vs.. HENRY CLAY.


To follow Mr.. Clay in all his windings is
no easy matter. His political tract has no
similitude among sensible objects, unless it be
the rail road of Thadeus Stevens, known as
the Tape-Worm, which was represented as
commencing in the woods and ending nowhere:
Stevens, however, has the advantage Of Mr..
Clay; he did not cross his own track as Mr..
Clay does, and herein the similtude fails.
| Mr.. Clay is, perhaps, one of the most sig
nal examples of political degeneracy in exis-
tence. From democrat he has sank dotcn to
a modern whig-whose self-acknowledged
type is the despised coon Of the cornfeld -
There was time, even after his first great
aposcacy, when he had the reputation Of frankie.
ness and consistency. For his own honor,
and for the credit of human nature, we could
wish he had maintained that character. This,
however, has been lost in his struggle for
power. In order 10 show this clearly it is on
ly necessary TO refer to his numerous letters
and speeches written and made within the last
few months. On the tariff and the Texas ques-
tons particularly, his inconsistency and dema-
gogueism appear lamentably conspicuous.-
For the special benefit of our whig friends. in
proof of our charge, we will call the ''imbody-
ment'' to the stand; he shall be convicted OH
his own testimony. And first, of the 'fcxas
question. ~z
In Mr. Clay's Raleigh letter, dated April
18th, 1874, his whole object is to show that
the annexation of Texas to the United States
would be unwise, impolitic, and dangerous.
He denies that Texas is an indcpent nation
de jure, regards her as still part Of Mexico,
and suggests that foreign nations so regard
her; and to show that he has no desire to n-
corporate her territory with tina. of the existing
Union, he says:
SIN the future progress Of events, il is pro-
babie that there will be voluntary or forcible
separation of the British North American pos
sessions from the parent country. am strong
ly inclined to think that it will be best for the
happiness of all parties that in that event they
should be erected into separate and Indepen-
dent Republic. With the Canadian Republic
on the one side, that of Texas on the other,
and the United States, the friends of both, be-
tween them. each could advance its own hap
piness by such constitution, laws, and mea-
sures, as were best adapted to its peculiar con-
diton." 1859
This is what Mr.. Clay said in that letter.
Without stopping to show how disastrous
such state of things would be to the best in.
terests, happiness, and we'll being of the ..
States, we may say the extract is conclusive
in proof of Mr.. Clay's opposition to annexa-
ton. In fact, he closed his letter by saying
{" In conclusion, I consider the annexation
E of Texas at this time, WITHOUT the assent Of
Merico, as measure compromising the ma
tional character, involving us certainly in war
with Mexico, probably with other foreign
powers; dangerous TO the integrity of the
Union; nexpedeht in the present financial
condition of the country, and not called rby
any expression of public opinion"
Snch WAS Mr. Claws Onin;ou in knriI Last
In July following, the INDICTMENT writes ano
Their letter in reply to one from an Alabama
Wing. In this letter he informs his Southern
friend that ''.'C,
PERSONALLY HE COULD HAVE
NO OBJECTION TO THE ADMISSION
OF TEXAS" 49,, ............,., .-~a.ta.sn
! In April he had all sorts of objections. In
July, as an individual, he was in favor of it.
In this same letter of July he further says
"N (the scheme of annexihg Texas acas a
bubble blum up By M. 1yeria amost ercep~
tionabh manner for sinister purposes .. .,
| And yet Mr.. Clay, i'll the same breath, wish
es this bubble success.
In his letter to Thos. NJ: Peters and John
M. Jackson, ON the 9th July last, Mr.. Clay
says a.-.. a s..-e s..h-EH i. sa5 s.E
| II have no hesitation in saying that far from
having any personal objection 70 the annexa-
ton Of Texas, should be glad to see it, .''
And 10 this declaration he adds, as If anx-
ious to cover the whole ground-sz ~ hzR
Il do not think that the subject of slavery
ought to effect the question one way or the
other. Whether Texas be Independent or in
corporated in the United States, do not be-
| lieve it will prolong or shorten the duration of
that institution. 1t would be unwise
TO refuse permanent acquisition, which will
exist as long as the globe remains, on account
of temporary institution" "i>. a-l" s#&.
/ This is what we should call a whirlwIhd
gyration. The inbodymenf, in April, was
deadly hostile TO. annexation for reasons of
perpetual force" 10 nse the language of abo-.
liiioh Clay-whig Shade, but on the q Of July
following, he desired II, and undertook to ar
que down the one great obstacle TO lis accom-
| plishmens His friends must place him IN
der keeping, apply the paddock, and see TO. 1t
that he write no more letter.. --
| On the tariff MIR. Clay has been equally
fapetcrmih. He has been constantly speak
ing and writing on This subject; plunging first
| one way and then another, TO suit the vlewsof
his sectional correspondents. Al hrst ne was
| in favor of the PRINCIPLES of tho compromise.
and wrote so to his southern friends. In his
letter TO Mr.. Merriwether Of Georgia, dated
Oct. "a, i843, he said, for the purpose Of
show ing his anti-tariff feelings to the Soutfs~s
"Idid moi rotefor the tarii6s gfI6i6 and ISL
| To General Bledsoe he wrote three -s.f