The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-26
THE AFFAlR AT LEXINGTON.


Mr.. C. M. CLAWS press and materials have, ny
solemn resolve of an immense concourse OF citizens
been safely bored up and sent beyond the confines y m
Stale. The meeting was called ana held w,thou'
distinction Of parties; and we who i've mere, Know
full well of how much moral worth and respecm-
biity il was composed, whilst those at distance
can form some estimate OF the character OF the as
semblage, by reading the published proceedings
Scenes of this kind have taken place before, and
in other States. In Alton, press was destroyed
property damaged, blood shed, and lives lost. In
Cincinnati press was destroyed, the types scatter
ed, and we believe property injured. u has been
| reserved, we think, for Lexington to exhisit the
rare spectacle of an innumerabe body Of cinzens
meeting as a matter Of course, with highly excited
feelings, yet SO far subduing and moderaung their
spirit as to accomplish their purpose without the
slightest damage to property, or the enusion Of
drop of blood. God forbid that ever the occasion
should arise, that would, in the estimation OF sober
minded citizens, require the application Oh TINS ex
traordinary remedy, 80 full Of peril as precedent
in the State, and so full of pain to all the sensible
tiles of our nature But when the time shall come
if come il sha-we fervently trust to see the assem-.
bage of citizens animated by the same exalted
sense of dignity, whilst they execute their TASK OF
responsibility, but yet of conscientious duty. Inc
duty has been discharged, and that in manner
which leaves no stain upon our city, and which
need cause none to blush who have had an agency
in the contamination of the object.
At meeting of sundry citizens of Lexington, at
the courth house, on Thursday, l4lh August, Bev-
ery A. Hicks was called to the chair; and, the meet
ing being organized, the following resolutions were
unanimously adopted; after which, the meeting ad-
ourned to meet at o'clock, p. M. Tomorrow, 18TH
(Sgned) BEVERLY A. HICKS,
Chairman.
Rssored That committee Of three be appointed to wait
upon Cassius NJ Clay editor of the True Americana and
request him to discontinue the publication OF the paper call
ed the True American" Its further continuance In our
l.J. la, To- ha. of
to the safety Of our homes and families,
ID That the committee report to the assembly o.mor
evening o'clock the result Of their application and
B, W. Dudley, Thomas H. Waters, John W. Hunt, com
mittse.
The meeting assembled pursuant to adournment and
Thomas H. Waters OF the committee OF correspon-
dence. reported the following letter and answer OF O. NJ
Clay;
LnxrSoros, August IA, Is4o.
srH We the undersigned have been appointed
mee upon the part Of number Of the respectable citizens
the city OF Lexington to correspond with you under he
following resolution
"Resoired That committee OF three be appointed to wait
npon Cassus NJ Clay editor Of the True American and
request him to discontinue the publication Of the paper call
Judgment Il 10 tho pesce Of onr and
to the safety Of our homes and families"
In pursuance Of the above hereby request you to
you the Importance q your acquiesc.nce paper
agatng and exciting our community to an extent oil which
he form ofa threat But we II you state that in
our Judgment your own safety well the repose and
await your reply in the hope your own good sense
and regard for the reasonable wishes OF community In
which you have connexions and friends will induce
promptly to comply with request We instructed
to report your answer TO meeting tomorrow evening at
Tow D. W DUDLEY.
THO. II. WATERS,
JOHN w. HUNT.
To which Mr. Clay made the following reply:
Sins: received through the hands Of Mr.. Thomas H.
Waters. OF your committee since cande-ght your
extraordinary letter Inasmuch two Of your Committee
myself upon speaking terms and when add to
this the fact that have taken occasion TO address me
than months standing from which have only ventured
at intervals TO ride out and TO write few paragraphs
will agree with me- that your Office base and dshoncra-
BILE particularly when they reflect that have
had than two months. whilst in health, 10
compsh the purpose say in reply to your
ton that nre committee appointed by respectable
the laws and constitution be deemed respectable
by any hut assassns, prntcs and highway robbers Your
ecu r twas It's proceedings pnrposer It's spir
and its action like its mode of existence wholly
Of honor religion or held sacred by the civil
lied world treat them with the burning contempt Of
defy their action il may that those
cited you say whose interest Is to prey upon the ex-
failed be excited when his unjust power about be
taken from his handel But deny. utterly deny and call
In every case Of violence BY the blacks since the pubica
ton Of my PAPER has been proven and will be again
that there have been special for their action
independent Of and having relation whatever TO- "The
True American or its docrnes Your advice with regard
my personal safety worthy Of the whence ema
nned and meets with the same contempt from which
concave cowardy assassns that c. NJ Clay know: his
rights, and how to defend them.
After the reading Of the correspondence, Mr.. Wa
tiers offered an address and resolutions, among
AL ELL
mously adopted:
Received That notice published for general meet
ing Of the people this city and county to be held Nom
az at y O'clock ~ a. ne % take into con
from the efforts Of abolition fanatics and ncendaries
The meeting then adjourned.
~ BEVERLY A. HICKS, chairman.
At meeting Of the citizens of Lexington, Fay
ette and the adjacent counties, held at the court
house yard on the 18th August, 1886
Waller Bullock, esq, was appointed chairman,
and Benjamin Gratz secretary.
The following communication from c. M. Clay,
esq.,, was read 10 the meeting
LEsisoros, August 10, Is4S
The ehasaen Of The public meeting assembled to-day uin
please lay before IL the following communication:
FrLIow-cr'zsN. OF Lhslseros, AND Cousrr or Far
present Al Your meeting and even unable 10 hold pen
having been sick thirty days with the typhoid fever
alton Having been the unwilling cause in part, Of the
present excitement in my county and feeling as do,
spect for the safety and happiness OF others well my
own voluntarily forward and do all conscientious-
ly do for quiet and satisfaction treated the
muuicaon from the private With burning contempt
arsing only from their assuming power which
would make slave but from Of the deep per
sonal ndgnity with which their unheardof assumptions
attempted to be carried into execution But to you
differently organized body, and constitutional
bsge of citizen feel that IL IL just and proper that
should at your bar; and am not in state of
health to carry an argument or vindicae properly my
riab baforo olo,,
your part make such explanations deem just and
proper.
During my sickness my paper has been conducted by
friends The leading article In the last number, which
told is the great of the public dsquietudo,
have read; because at the time IL TO press
could not have undergone the fatigue of reading such
. paper through. Although 1t read to me ut
the time. yet am fully persuaded now, that had been
in health, It would not have been admitted into my
columns. But felt the loss hesitancy in admitting IT,
because has been my svowed policy heretofore 70 adj
nit free discussion upon the subject Of slavery by slave
holders themselves; and the author Of this article Is large
l Interested in that Kind Of property You have be-
fore this time that the Of policy which commend
myself to the State widely different, in many essential