The Arkansas banner., 1848-04-25
HENRY CLAY AND THE PRESIDENCY.

DOfG UAkcfS Hattsc U utO W usk NduUuAi OOuNens ticn for nomination. The "masterly inactivity" which he has played of for the last few months, is no longer available, and he yields to the important ties of his friends and the "cali of Lis country" The repeated assertions made by Taylor whig pa- pers, that he had said he would decline the canvass upon his return to Kentucky, is coLGadicted, and to the discredi, of such papers. he declares that ons was authorized to make such statement. The publication of untuths for party purposes, policy SC much in use among whg journalists, that even upon conviction so barefaeed as this, Mir. Clay must not expect them 10 blush This movement has not been made without the advice and CT nsent of the leaders, and wire workers in every sate and we may consider the claims of Gen. Taylor fairly laid on the shelf. We take his letter as follows from the Kentucky Gazette:
 TO THE PUBLIC.
 The various and conflicting reports which have been in circulation, n regard to my intentions with respect to the next Presidency, appear to to fur nIsh proper occasion for full, frank and explic it exposition of my feeling, wishes and views upon the subject. This t Is now my purpose to make.
 With strong disinciination to the use of my again in connection with that olIice left my residence in DeeembrP fast, under determination to announce to the public, in some suitable form, my desi,e not 10 be thought of candidate. Dur ing my absence, frequently expressed to different gentlemen my unwilliBgness to be again in that at tiiude; but no one yas authorised to publish my decision one way or the other, having reserved the right to do so exclusively myself On reflection, thought it was duo 10 my friends to consult with them before took decisive step. Accordingly, in the course of the last three months, have had many opportunities of comforting fully and freely
 vi4h MaaN nf fhaua hava .dd saada the strongest appeals, and the most earnest entrea. aes. both verbally and written, to dissuadc me from executing my intended purpose. They have repre- sented to me that the withdrawal of my name would be fatal 10 the success, and perhaps lead to the dissou ion of the pa,t ty with which have been associatcd especially In the free Staes that at no former period did there exist great proba- bility Of my election # gould consent 10 the use of my name; that thc xScaf States of New York sad Ohis would. in si human probabi ity cast their votes for me; that New York would more certainly bestow her suffrage aron me than upon my other candidate, and that Ohio wosid give her vo'e to no candidate residing in the slave States but to me; that there Is be,ies prospect ihan has heretofore al any time existed; that PeBasy lvania would unite with them; hai candidate can be elected without the concsFreace of two of these three States, and none could be defeated. upon whom all three of them shssid b. u'S'sd; thak great numbers of our feliew citizens. bsh ot native and iossign birth, who were deceived and therefore voted against me; aHd tbsf, wllils there Is strong and drcded pref crsaee fos sae entertained Ny the great body of the Whg party thTough0M the Unitcd States, they (the friends to whom rsftr) al the same time are convinced thai am more svabable than any can aidate that could be presented to the American poo pie.
 do rot pEeaeGd to vouch for the accuracy of all these representations, alaheagh do not entertain doubt that they hase been honestly made. and are sincerely believed.
 hns hea u1nreauar A, .waA sa .n sk.. th. obligations under wiaeh have been hitherto pac- ed, by large portion ot the People of the United States, the full force of which no one can be more sensible of than l am. demand that should not withhold the use of my name, 1T k be Iea,sred. Aud have been reminded of frequen declai a,ious which have made that, whilst lie and health re- main, man is bound 10 render his bes; services upon the call of his country.
 Since my return home have anxionsiy d. fiber ated upon my duty to myself. to nay country. The conflict between my unaffected desire to continue ia private life, as most congenia with my feelings and condiilon and my wish faithfully 10 perform al my public duties, has been painful and smbarass. tag if refuse tho use of my name, and those injurious consequences should ens0e, which have been @ confidently predicted b. friends, l should
 justly ncar their reproaches, and the reproaches of my ews heart And, #. on the contrary, shoad esent te the use of my name, whatever the result may be, shall escape boh
 hase, therefore, finally decided 10 leave to the Na1'rasi Convention, whica is to assemble next Jane. <he consideration of my name, in connection with sch others as may be presented to it. to make selection ef suitable candidate f,r Presidont of the Uaited States. And whatever may be ihe ,~sae sf its fair and fui deliberations. it vii ues. with my prompt and cheerfal acquiesceuce.
 will be seen from what have stated. that there wss reasons to anticipate thaa would decline giv- iag my eoosent to the use of say name again as candidate for the Psssidssey of fhs United States Owing. rerhaps. 10 this, ss well as other causes, many of my fieDds aad fellow cit izens have VOW. d presefeHee fos, and directed their aifsation to Ihe distinguished RamD of other citizens ef the Dnitsi States stske pleasure ia truly declaring. hat have no regrets to express, complaints no