New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-09-30
The Pre.idency-Letter from e. Delaheld
smith.


| HonAcE GREELEY, ESQ NEw-fohK' sept =.
Dear Sir. As my name has lately been made
somewhat public in newspaper reports Of Clay demon
STATIONS have decided 10 offer you BRET letter Tor
publication / am not deluded into belief that my
position is politically of any moment only desire
that friends and acqusintances especially al distance
who have read published sketches Of my speeches may
not be left 70 injurious suppositions concerning the
course which shall now pursue.
lis In the degree and not in the nature Of my burn
Ing attachment TO Henry Clay, that my feelings differ
# they do differ from those cherished by Wings and
especially by Wing Young Men, Throughout, the Union
That attachment early possessed my whole soul and
centered every thought hope and aspiration into all
absorbing devotion the iustrious Statesman Of the
West His cslamitOus defeat In 1874 aud his more NOR
flying betrayal in SIS sweled my heart with strong
and earnest sympathy because believed that loving
the American people he could not but feel greved at
their failure 20 appreciate him
mad however decided 20 vote for Gen. Taylor when
bis obnoxious Charleston letters were followed BY
movements which seemed 10 indicate the posslonlty
that general rally might yet be made, winch would
carry avOrite into the House OF Representatives
There we ven'ured believe thsi a. both Wings and
Democrats each among themselves, are divided upon
the Presidential question the services Of the great Men
tuckian might YET be secured - the nation
Dazzled by this golden hope entered eagerly into
the contest and followed the phantom with uniaierng
spirit
Among the objections to Cen Taylor one, not to my
knowledge dwelt upon struck with peculiar force
Many OF his friends admitting his total inexperience in
the duties Of Statesman and Diplomatis were salts
fed with the belief tina; Cabinet would supply his de-
hciencies NOprovsion Of the National Constitution mas
been auded than that which requires the Executive
power 20 be vested in single person in order that the
people might plainly where belongs the response
biy Of a wrongful exercise of that power By shifting
that responsibility from 70 many, the guilty are
shfplded the 4 Will often resolve
upon acts Of usurpation which no one man would Do
or dare.
The golden hope, however, is no more. We can no
longer indulge in the dream Of behodng the name
of Henry Clay numbered among our Presidents Vain
il the declaration Of the uncomfortable truth that IN
doing honor and justice 20 him our people would eie
gae their character, and contribute 70 the en1ur
cen Taylor's late letter certainly places him in
better attitude toward the Wing Party. Mr. Clay ap
peas 20 al true friends % make no further use OF his
name.
What is required by patriotic duty now Is it night
10 vote for Cass Is Il consistent 70 vote Tor Van
buren, i Il manly % stand quiyerng on the barren
| ground Of neutrality
For nv part believe that greater danger Turks in the
destructive principles Of the so styled Democratic fary
than in the unfortunate precedents which would be es
/ tablshed in the event Of Gen Tayors success
believe that upon the success Of Wing principles, ana
the preservation OF our party Organization, depend te
interests OF our country and the perpetuiy OF me
/ [ mon.
As Clay does not bear our banner, are compelled
I
TO that either trails IN the dust or Is borne
by Taylor That the former Is true We ought proud y
to deny There il. therefore, every reason why al
/ wings although protesting against the action OF the
/ Philadelphia Convention should now unite IN sup
porting It's nominee.
such shall be my course As to speaking there is a
/ sufficient number OF orators without prohering the
doubtful benefit OF my cr1de and unpracuced exhorta
tons shall devote myself 10 my profession and on
the 7h Of November vote for Zachary Taylor 10 defeat
Lewis Cass Will admit however, that there is
a young man in the country whose heart, while It
continues 10 beat will more erventy breathe the eNca
nation, Herts 10 V0u. HARRY CLAY ~
am aware, that IN acting upon this determination,
shall receive unspariDg reprosches from many with
whom. Of late have cooperated. These reproaches,
however be greater than the censure received
by me in such cooperation. shall be consoled by the
reflection that in both cases my motives could not
possibly have had anything sinister their basis An
admirer of Henry Clay should practice his greatest
virtue and boldly dare to do right whatever may be
the consequences Your young friend,
E DELAFlELD SMITH.