The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-12-04
Henry Clay vs.. the Liberty Of the Press.
IRON the Philadelphia Ledger, Dec 81

From the Phiiadelphis Ledger Dec 81
ofMr Clsys speech the New York Herald takes ground
Union. We do not interfere IN its quarrel with its
Western antagonist Personally, they have our frse
leave to dsvour each other like the Klkenny or any
other cats; for personally, not who Il who OF
which Is which among Journals journalists But We
do something about what is what principles and
doctrines and therefore defend the right and oppose the
wrong without regard to source or authorship and in
T auS
The following the facts or rather the statements Of
tho P.Ttis. B'or. Mr. Clay began to sp sc he Re:
portsrs that unless they threw asde their pens he
porter for the Herald who secretly took sketch Of the
speech and despatched 1t to New York by telegraph
The Western newspaper says that this secret report
standing OF his hearers was theft for which the
porter deserved punishment and for which, had
severely beaten The N.@ S'' York Herald .sys thu
when Mr. Clay mounted the rostrum to speak, he made
any reporter present right to publish them; and it
adds some very oogsnt and just oensurss upon the
ps shs
The Herald right For several daysor rather weeks,
before Mr. Ci.ys speech was delivered his intention to
address public meeting had been announced by news
papers in Kentucky, and repeated by newspapers
throughout the Union This design had been announced
quite long enough for repetition In every American
newpaper and proclaimed widely enough to reach every
reader. And therefore do not believe that one in
hundred thousand ofthe whole body ctssns
was contaminated at Lexington And why was all this
Mr. Clays design pV to speak long before the a.
ssmbiage Of the meeting which he addressed' Mr..
Clay public man though in private life. He Ii
acknowledged leader OF one OF our great parties, and
numerous body Of influential men, In every state Of the
Union intend to make him candidate for the next
Presidency. This speech intended for the frat
step Of that movement and the design, both Of Mr..
Clay In speaking and OF his friends In requesting him
speak to send his remarks throughout the
try. The whole affair was intended to BE- public, and
the utmost efforts made before the speech IVES de-
i m n
publicity Mr.. Clay and his friends intended and ex-
expected to operate upon public opinion through this
speech and for this purpose the intention to speak
published
Coming forward under suoh circumstances, Mr. Clay
made his speech public property and to all persons
present the unlimited right OF laying before the whole
| BILE to themselves or their readers or hesrcrs
Hence his request to the reporters to lay aside
| their pens was entirely out OF place, and their
compliance with such request was inndelty to
the public. Some may say that In throwing aside
| their pens the reporters tsctly complied with Mr.
Cys request and that OF the meetiny sgnihed BY is
appreciation OF his request Mr. Clay had no right 70
make such request, or the audience I" indorsoN ne
undetosk to address the nation, and not low thousand
people ofkentuoky and these Few Thousand
had right to the terms on when the nation
should hear In undertaking to speak In public af al,
he gave TO- AL American citizens, TO AL men r8nt 70
learn what he said by any means most accessible Ana
In TINS pubic address ne nveWeG every person
with tho right to take and publish notes. - well - inc
| right to hear and repeat
But Mr. Clay says that herstoiore ne nad peen lepct
ed inascurstely ana tnSt 70 Prevsnt sns oyn W ~
present occasion ne wsnso 10 me- ioI
ncation from ms own pen. ihen WY u,o NJ. M
Clay address the pubnc In letter lnstSso OF speeon
Or why &a ne not nlst w,ite az speeon anu .nsn
! IL from MS manuscript ENnsr course wouia nav
gwen ample security against the errors OF wnicn ne
ana S,T M 70 G s,