The North-Carolina standard., 1844-04-03
Prom the Federal Gee. } Union.

GENERAL HAMlLI(NS LIZ IER.
We cannot afford space, for the long letter o.
Gen. James Hamilton, to the Clay Club of Co
lumbus, which appeared in the Enquirer of the
9th inst 1t is however, rtmarkable document
in perfect accordance with the character and mode
of thinking of the author and entitled, We think
to some notice from "
General Hamilton declares himself to hold an
underlined position-that 'the embers ofparty spir-
it are extingushed" in his bosom-that he is nei-
ther Democrat or Wing, for certainS points, he
has @differed and agreed with both parties. He
may therefore be regarded impartial witness,
and we do him the Justice TO consider his produc-
ton true picture of his opinions.
Thus brought up to the subject, the General
does not forget himself or the part he acted in ex.
citing party contests in which he has played
his part. He became acquainted with Mr.. Clay in
1923, when that gentleman was Speaker OF the
House of Representatives; was promoted by him
to the chair Of an important committee OF the
House, and soon cultivated an acquaintce with
him which ripened INFO ''the strongest social in
timacy" Taking different sides in politics, this
intimacy was soon destroyed and he became so
inimical to Mr.. Clay, that he passed hlm in the
streets "without even a distant recognition" for,
says he, "I then had the folly to regard oppo-
nent of General Jackson almost public enc
my of the country" But an occasion soon oc-
CURED, on which his hatred Of Mr.. Clay fled on
eagle wing. He became the second, or one of
the seconds of MIR. Randolph, in his famous duel
with Mr. Clay Mr. Randolph made it known
to him that he did not intend to FIRE at Mr.. Cay.
Col. Tannall, the other second of MIR. R, was
also informed of this determination, and thus both
went on the field to see their principal shot at
while he had resolved to do his adversary no
harml The result is known to the world ): Mr.
Clay fired at and missed MIR. Randolph, and Mr. r.
discharged his pistol in the air. Andnow if became
Mr.. Clay's time to act the hero; he no sooner
saw the pistol of MIR. Randolph fire in an eppo-
site direction than he became alarmed for fear his
own ball had hit his Antagonist and he rushed for
ward extended his hand craved reconciliation,
and in moment the enemies were friends. Gen
era Hamilton, also, touched with the fine feelings
evinced by Mr. Clay, offered him his hand in tes-
tmony of a friendship which remains unbroken 10
the present day. Thus is this affair of purposed
murder wrought up into attractive tale and the
minds of our youth poisoned with the moral pesti-
lence which yet fingers amongst us. =.
This account of the duel is not introduced with
out further motive than mere gossip. Its re-
suits are traced down to strange consequences
The General shall tell the influence it had in
arresting the civil war which was so near break
ing out in South Carolina on the tariff ques-
lion. This was not hindered by General
Jackson or his troops! These, General Hamilton
with his volunteers would willingly have met
but they "knew that on the discharge of the first
musket, the streets of their city would run with +
fraternal blood" "Mr. Clay lent his hand to
stay the torrent" He retired from his ultra tar
iff notions and came into theeomprise act Il
81 need not (says General H recapituIute the
which pfecipitated this measure. or
The fearful situation in which the country was
placed, when Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Calhoun, stand
ing as it were over the troubled waters, approach
I'd nearer to each other to still the angry food.
Apart from all public considerations which could r
adequately find their origin in his own patriotism.
have always believed, although pride and deIica,
~ have hitherto forbid an explanation, that the
loach of our hands on the old battle field-on the1
banks OF the Potomac, was not without its inf1u-
snce with Mr.. Clay, when uniting his exertions
% those of Mr.. Calhoun, to compose this SEEMING.
" disastrous quarrel, he took an anxious and
friendly estimate OF what ne deemed the difficulty
Of my own position"
We have heard of great effects from trivial can
ses, but this "bangs ALL" 1.-The touch Of our
hands on the old battle field on the banks af tkef
Potomac" What battle field2 A field chosen
for the violation OF the laws of God and man
Tor the perpeuatIen OF custom suited to the oes.
of barbarism and superstition and whose hisIorv
IS written IN the blood of murdered Thousands
Whose hands2 One, which that Inofnent had /,
held the pistol Gt1tS mark and but for "a mvsteri
ous Providence, would have committed the high
est crime known to our laws. The other. vol
1ntary witness of this attempt to take the life of
mis- unresisting friend | | These are the sainted !
hands whose touch is to rescue nation from The
shedding Of torrents of blood These are tho
men pointed to the objects of admiration and
selected for the places of power and confidence +,
Oh honor thou fool-thou scoundrel-tho,,
:urseIl wv"
General Hamilton finishes his studied enloo;r,.
On Mr.. Clay, by denying that he is his partisan