The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-07-17

mr. ol.yss. ana sAs worth A-.ssas~. sswsp.psr.
Some days ago, in editorial in reply to an article in
the Philadelphia North American. mentioned the fact
generally believed in Philadelphia, that Mr. Clayton the
present Secretary Of State, part owner Of that pa
per- We had our information from gentleman former
y resident Of that city and now intimately acquainted
with its citizens and its affairs generally That gentle
informed US that Mr. Clayton had $4,000 invested
in the newspaper alluded to- This statement the per-
sona organ Of the President anxious to show the Union
in apparent error, denied We then put the question
directly to the organ the interest of Mr. Clayton in
the North American. and received the following reply,
which il seems was made on the authority OF Mr..
Clayton himself
We have also taken the liberty inquire OF him Mr.
on The other topic Of abuse 10 the Uaio He has
answered as at that she 10 and was,
part owner of the North American and United States
q ss . ss rao Il.
years ago gsns,SSg,y and So6 bsirisnded gentlemen
ton never had he slightest Interest il the paper. nor
any security spoa aay iatsrsa in IL!
Although the answer OF the organ contained a sub
sanal admission of the fact stated by u.s. aware that the
Secretary had other sins political, we mean) enough to
answer for. we willing to give him the benefit Of
his disclaimer such was But perceive that this
generosity on part is not appreciated by his organs and
mnions. who seem to be destitute OF good as
they Of decency Not content with the favorable po-
sition in which we had placed the Secretary and were
willing to leave him. they proceed forthwith. on the
strength Of his authorized answer to charge the Union
with fasehood, and in the coarse and vulgar language
peculiar the defenders Of the present administration
Under these circumstances, we consider ourselves alb
solved from all decacy towards the Secretary, and now
deem it our duty to present the true view Of the case
We regard the answer authorized by the honorable
Secretary as substantial admission OF the truth of
our statement What is that answer! II is, that
Mr.. Clayton furnished he money 10 a friend 10 pur-
chase one third part Of the interest In The North
Amsrican newspaper. Now is not this the precise way
in which the business would be done II done at ALL
Who would suppose that Mr.. Clayton would become
interested in the paper in his proper name. How
would il appear if the '.name and Style of John M.
Clayton Co. should appear in the imprint propre
tors! No; no man Of common shrewdness would sup
pose that the business would be done in that way OF
course the true nature OF the transaction be covered
up. But the plain English of it is this: Mr.. Clayton
wanted political interest in that able and influential
paper He is politician Of prominence and distinction,
and it is doing him injustice to suppose that he is
ambitious and aspiring Nay, it is charged against him in
many quarters that he looks the presidency the
ultimate goal Of his ambition. II was therefore. very
natural that he should try to enlist in his behalf many
efficient aids possible; and hence it important that
he should have at his command able ally and sup
porter as the North American newspaper. And he &C.
cording to his admission, took the most effective
way by which to obtain the friendship and aid of such
powerful agent He furnished the means to friend to
purchase onstsnd of The property of the establishment
He thereby attained his object. which to
political interest in the paper. 1t would not have been
either decent polite to do this in his name, and
it therefore done in the Of another. II, under
these circumstances, the echoes Of the organ Of the Secre
tay console themselves that the Union is mistaken
in this matter. would notbe cruel to wish to
deprive them Of such sorry satisfaction. We think any
fair jury Of twelve would, upon the admission Of the
honorable Secretary. bring verdict 10 the effect that
he had pretty considerable interesn the newspaper
fened to, and that it was not becoming to denyit.
3 rarflo An