Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1852-09-25


military affairs. General Webb protested against
it, before and after the thing was resolved upon.
And now, like Joab, we find him. in very friend
" way with General Scott, and asking him, cart
thou in health my brother 2" and stabbing him
under the fifth rib Here, as in the case of Joab,
there is a rebellion in the wing party-and at such
a time there should be harmony in the king
ranks. What motive, what object, but downright
assassination, can there be in bringing to light the
following extraordinary letter of Henry Clay, IN
reference TO Genera Taylor's unftness for the
Presidency. 1t is the sword of Joab, applied un
der the fifth rib General Scott. Only read this re-
markable letter -
EXTRACT FROM LETTER WRITTEN BY HENRY CLAY
TO THE WIG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THIS
CITY
ASHLAND, September 90, 1913
"And here gentlemen would stop, but for your
request that l would communicate my views
This shall do briefly and frankly, but With reluc
lance and regret.
"Concurring entirely with you, that the peace,
prosperity, and happiness of the United States de-
pend materially on the preservation of whig prin-
cipes, should be most happy if Isaw more clear
ly than do, that they are likely to prevail.
''But cannot help thinking that the Philadel-
phia Convention Inundated ITSELF and, as far it
could, placed the wing party in degraded condi-
ton. General Taylor refused to be its candidate
He protested, indeed, to be whig but he so en-
veloped himself in the drapery Of qualifications
and conditions that it is extremely difficult to dis
Germ his real politics He was, and yet is, willing
to receive any and every nomination, 10 matter
from what quarter it might proceed. nhis letter
to the Richmond Republican, of the goth of April
last, declared his purpose to remain candidate,
no matter what nomination might be made by the
I xuba of cold nd
done by the Louisiana delegation in the conven-
ton but there is veil about that matter which.
have not penetrated. The letter from him, which
it stated one of that delegation possessed, has
never been published and a letter on the same
subject, addressed to the independent party of
Maryland, has, at his instance, been withheld from
the public. 1t quite natural that after receiy
ing the nomination, he should approve the means
by which he obtained it. What [ should be glad
to see is, same revocation of the declaration in the
Richmond Republican letter before the nomination
twas made.
/. On the great leading national measures which
have so long divided parties, if has any fixed
opinions they are not publicly known. Exclusive
ly military with the least experience in civi
affairs-bred up and always living the in camp, witt
his sword by his side, and his epaulettes on hi
shoulders-it sproposed to transfer him from hi
actual position of second in command Of the army
| to the Chief Magistracy of this great and mode
republic
If cannot come out in the active support 0
such candidate, l hope that those who know any
thing of my opinions, deliberately formed, and re
peatedy ayowed, will excuse me. To those opn
| shall adhere, with increased, instead of dimiA
ished confidence and l think that my friend
ought to be reconciled to the silence which have
imposed on myself from difference to them as wei
as from strong objections which l entertain to thu
competitor of General Taylor | wish to lead, O
mislead no no one but to leave all to the unbias
ed dictates of their own judgment.
l know, and feel all that can be urged in the &C
tual posture of the present contest
entertain with you the strongest apprehension
from the election of General Cass; but do no
see enough of hope and confidence in that of Gen
TAYLOR to stimulate my exertions and animate m,
zeal l deeply fear that his success may lead t.
I the formation of mere personal party, There i
; a chance, indeed, that he may give the country
better administration of the executive government
than his competitor would but it is not such
chance can arouse my enthusiasm or induce m
to assume the responsibility of recommending an,
course or offering any advice to others.
X <
With great respest am your friend and obi
servant H. CLAY.
To James Lynch, A. H. Bradford, Charlie
Chamberlain, Henry U. Merritt, DC, DC.
Was there ever anything more pointed NOR
deadly and more terrible written against Genera
Taylor's nomination and his pretentions to tn
Presidency than this ? Did Mr.. Clay himself eve
write anything or say anything possessing snc
} prophetic sagacity? 1t is astonishing. And hoy
remarkably his apprehensions were verified,
was wise precaution on the part of the WIFI
Committee to withhold that letter sacredly fror
the public in the campaign of '48; but what else
we repeat, than the stabbing of Gen. Scott unde
the fifth rib be the object of its publication
in this crisis of the canvass of so
Mr.. Clay thought that in nominating a mer
military chieftain, the wing party placed itself
ga degraded condition. y Mr. Webster only sal
of Gen. Taylor, that cit was nomination not f
to be made - but Mr.. Clay wrote it down, tina
he could not sEhelp thinking that the Phiadelphi
i Convention had placed itself in degraded condi
tion.'' He was not satisfied with Gen. Taylor
principles. Old lack had studiously ayoide
showing his hand before the convention, thong
s'it was quite natural that after receiving til
nomination, he should approve the means by Whic
/ he had obtained it, How it cuts, like two
edged sword, the nomination of 40 and so i
Then again, it was ga mere chance, = mere mat
ter Of accident, that General Taylor's adninistra
tionkWould be better for the wings than a radics
t democratic triumph. Was not Henry Clay, also
one of the prophets II deeply fear" said he
t'that his success (Taylor's success) may lead
the formation of mere personal party" Was nc
) the orator inspired Even now, in the produC
ton Of this dreadful letter we can almost fancy tha
we see The tall dfmposing shadow of Henry Cha
standing before Gen. Webb and with his lon
skeleton finger pointing to Gen. Scott, as our CO
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