The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-04-22
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RDAY, APRIL %, 1913.
MIR Clay and the Presidency.

The opinion generally prevailed, after the
defeat of Henry Clay, in 1874, that he would
never again consent to be candidate for the
Presidency. Until within few months moth
ing had occurred to lead the public to enter
tain a different opinion. Within this latter Pc
yiod, in certain quarters, efforts have been I'M
reasngly put forth to bring Mr. Clay again be-
fore the public as the wing candidate in the
coming election;and much solicitude has been
felt as to the answer he would give to the
earnest appeals known to have been made to
him TO consent that his name might be used in
Che National Convention. But speculation on
this point is now at an end. Since Mr. Clay 3
return to Ashland, from his recent journey, he
has written public letter in which he distinct
ly authorizes his friends TO use his name be.
fore the National Convention. Upon this point
he says:
81 have therefore, finally decided to leave
To the National Convention, which is to assem-
BILE next June, the consideration of my name
IN connection with such others as may be
presented to it, to make n selection of n suita-
hlc candidate for the Presidency of the United
States and whatever may he the issue oft, its
fair and full deli5eration will meet with my
prompt and cheerful acquescences'
Mr. Clay remarks that he set out from home
on his recent journey "under determination
to announce TO the public in some suitable form
his desire not to be thought of as candidate"
Upon the appearance of this letter in New
York, Cassius M. Clay, then in the City, ad-
dressed to Henry Clay, through the papers,
letter commenting, with marked severity upon
ahe announcement above alluded to. Cassius
NJ is evidently impressed with the improprie-
ty Ofthe announcement, and, plainly from the
consideration that he is not for Henry Clay as
1he wing candidate. Wise or unwise, as the
movement on the part of Henry Clay may be,
there could not be anything more foolish than
the letter over the signature of Cassius M.
Clay.
MIR Clay has been pressed, hardly pressed,
by Jealous friends in Philadelphia and New
York City to grant what he does in his letter.
lie has been pursuaded to change his original
purpose. What the result may he upon the
wing sentiment of the Country remains to be
seen; but it has occurred to our mind, that, in
asmuch us this sentiment has not been, and is
not now concentrated upon his name, the an.
nouncenlent mightlesd to n more speedy I'M
ion upon some other distinguished individual
Judge Mclean or Gen. Scott. Unless we
misjudge, it will not tend to bring about any
hasty concurrence of the friends of other can
didates in the nomination of Mr. Clay. 1t was
very generally supposed by the Wings that Mr.
Clay would not consent that his name should
again be used a candidate for the Presidency,
consequently they have turned their thoughts
IA otbar man. md bownvar iha. nd
him they are dsinclned to yield their prefer
ences. These preferences are for new man
and they have been INDUCED too long to be
surrendered in moment.
The advocates of both Gen. Taylor and Mr.
Clay, for the Presidency, have, it appears to
us, overacted in pressing thom forward in the
manner they have; and the consequent state of
feeling, if no other objections existed, rend-
ers it expedient, aye, more, absolutely neces-
snry, that the delegates should meet ut Phila-
deiphia, and drop the names of each, and bring
forward the name of ono of the eminent indi-
viduals whose friends have been more modest
and judicious in their proceedings in the prem
Uses OF this class we believe the wing
portion of the people of Vermont would prefer
either Judge MCLEAN or Gen. Soorr. These
men the favorites of the Wing people in
our State. Gen. Taylor is not the favorite
nor, under existing circumstances, is Mr. Clay
A VALUABLE LIBRARY. 1t is stated in the
papers that Mr. Henry STEVENS, jr., son of
Henry Stevens, Esq, of Barnet, who has for
year or two past been in Europe looking VI
historical matters pertaining to this country
more particularly, has purchased the Wash
angton Library. 1t contains, reports say ,abou
Aen thousand volumes and pamphlets, nearl
five hundred of which have the autographs OF
Washington on the title pages, and many other
ftave the autographs and presentation notes o
authors. The collection must be rich in til
military and agricultural books which ono
belonged to the "sage Of Mount Vernon an
there must also be in it very many tracts re
tlating to the American Revolution, as we'll
to the ratification and adoption of the FEEDER
Constitution.
Mr. Stevens was sent out on this mission
Historical Societies, States and private ind
viduals, for the purpose OF securing historic
documents known to be in existence in En-
land and other countries of Europe.
pIn the business department ofthe Be