Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1844-09-23
"THAT LETTER I"

cales declared that not only an act OF garng IN
justice TO Mr. Clay, whose superior qualifications as
Patriot and Statesman and whose claims, the SC re ot
eminent public services, had been thus unceremon'ous'
y overlooked but that insult To the nation IL
self, Of whom seemed TO regard Mr. Clay, although
differing from him in political opinion. as one Of the no
blest ornaments. Then, heard nothing 9th since
Oft reuted aud disenombed charge Of "Bargaln,
Intrigue and Corruplion," the fasiiy Of which none
knew better than they who most active in lis prop
aga,on The Enquirer, however, was not one of these
Its authors the head of the Jackson party of
1924. 10 which the Enquirer did belong: for. unless
contemporary opinion was widely mistaken, Mr.. Clay
himself at that time the Enquirer's choice for the
Presidency, next to Mr. Crawford. Hence the Enqu-
rer, at that time, did not hesitate TO proclaim Mr..
Clay's innocence Of the charge, which, without any
evidence, il is seeking to ias,en upon him We say,
without any evidence for that Letter." the refu
sal Of Mr.. Clay to authorize the publication of which
although he has ineposed any affection 10 its pub
lcaion-is fresh discovery, but was talked Of aud
dicussed in 1928, when the whole subject underwent
investigation before the Legislature Of Kentucky. just
freely any other portion Of the testimony adduced
or withheld. Mr. Francis p. Blair 10 whom "ttat
letter" was addressed was Of the witnesses exam
ined by that body. Why did he not produce it ? Will
he orany of his friend, say that it confidential
letter, aud that therefore he could not honoraby exhi.
bit it Stuff! lie had already violated the confidence
reposed in him by communicating The fact that the let
ter was in his pussessionNay, he had done worse by
either in'imatIng. permitting TO be Unlimited without
contradiction, by others, that THAT letter." il made pub
lic would convict Mr.. Clay of the alleged charge; and
to this day is used for that purpose, while tina, pnt
OF honor, Mr.. Blair knops that far from sustaining
such an allegation. it would if published, dsprore IT,
Why, then, asked does not Mr. Clay authorize its
publications. Because. having been written confden-
TALLY To friend, he INDUCED in strain of freedom in
his remarks about and things, which, however
proper TO be used in private correspondence would
be meet for the public eye-us as a man may describe
himself before his boon companion, while it would be
offensive 10 decency and morals exhibit himself in
the public streets. Nbo that has ever had dis.an,
FRIEND who trusted him, and whom he could trust has
not in tho unes,rained freedom of confidential CORES
pondence, INDUCED in license of thought, and Ian.
guage, which only be justified by the fact thai n.
other eye than his to whom il is addressed is ever 10
see III II that friend betray the confidence repsed ir
him, as f. p. Blair his virtually done in the presen
case, the dlshonor and ny attach him. and not /,
the writer.
We have said that Mr.. Clay has never forbidden the
publication of that letter" TO Blair We may 10 far
Their. however, aud say that he has virtually authorized
it, For repeling the impniation upon his honor. Mr.
Clay IN 1877 said: "Pronouncng, do, the charge
"desuie o! all foundation and gross a,person whelh-
ser clandcsney openly issued from the walls OF the
Captol, the saloons of the Hermitage, by press by
pen or by tongue, and safely resting my conscious
"in,egrity, demand The ciiness and await the event
"wi,h fearless confidence" Blu, Mr. Blair was SILENT
We copy the following additional facts from the essay Of
writer in the Alexandria Gazette.
"Mr j. Harrie, Chairman Of The .7ninistration Cen
trial Committee Of kentucky. says in a letter to Mr.
Clay, of April l4th, 1928, Your enemies have in their
desperation fastened themselves as a last aud only hone
upon the REFUSAL Of Mr. F. 2. Blair to disclose to The
Senate OF this State, the contents Of letter alleged to
nave been written by you To him time in he month
OF January. 1928. Although, Mr.. Blair. at The instant
declared that his silence not dictated by aay consid
one ,cay or the other, Sc"
Ertrdcttro Mr.. Ciay's Reply Of June 5th, 1885,
~ preserved no copies Of my letters addressed to either
ofhose gentlemen. (3alr and kendal.) Mr.. Blair has
presented me with copies several of those directed 10
hun. including that upon which, understand reliance
is placed TO establish the fact Of my having made a cor
rupt agreement in relation the late Presidential cleo.
ton. My correspondence with that gentleman was
friendly aud FAMILIAR and sometimes s. oriive. 1t is
characterized BY freedom Of language, which is occa>
slonaly admissible 10 private and friendly intercourse
but which would not be decoruns towards the public
so fdras regards the charge against me- The publication
coutd benefit instead q inrtag Such is The opin-
ION OF several gentlemen 10 whom have shown the cor
respondence. and such is my OWL But | will not avail
myself ct this advantage, al the sacrifice of rrncple
the preservation OF which, is necessary guarantee to
social confidence and intercourse. could not moreover
publish my own letters to MIR. Blair, without sone of
his showing the sense in which he understood mine.
Allhoneh he has given permission 10 publish both
he thinks they ought not 10 be pubsied AID will not
on the defence ola protligate editor (mark that Mr..
Enquirer be the first to set mischevous example
which The other party to The correspondence has refused
10 establish must decline, therefore. authorizing the
pn'ca,ion OF our correspondence. But the Central
COMMITTEE is at liberty 10 exhibit to The inspec,ion of
any gentlemen, q any party all such portions of il M
relate to The late Presidential election and will do The
same upon any such application to me.'
by the foregoing extracts from documents which
were published in 1928. it will be seen that RI.,
himself virtually ADM tied that the letter. if exhibited
would have no efloc; upon the controversy one no
or the oiher,-'hat Mr.. Blair himself EXPRESSED
The opinion that the letter ought no, to be puA,;sb-
EDS that Mr. Clay. in declining to authorize its ,uh.
lca'on, was wholly uniufuenced by it's altered connec
NO" WIN Inc charge brought against him; for in Tbs,
aspect OF the CASE he believed would benefit instead
OF inlur'ng him. 1t will also be seen ,ba, Mr. f,,,
authorized the Central Committee of Ken,uckv to oxhi
II 10 the inspection of any gentleman, OF ANY pan
such portions of "thai letter. a, related T., H. D.
; dental eecton-which he wou,d neve, h.ro
nao contained any evidence Of his guilt. I, nm,