Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-10-09
HENRY CLAY'S OPINION.
A REMARKABLE LETTER /.

The New York Courier and Enouirer or In,
Ilh inst p'iNlishes the following portions Of let.
ter written by HENRY CLAY in lsas. which
The Courier says, were surrREssnp by the wbiq
committee 81 hat time, though other portions Of i
were published
What Mr., Clay says of Gen. TAYLOR as mar,
military man, witt his sword BY his side and his
epauleiles on bis sbpuders,p applies with eousl
force 10 Gen. Scott.
Euraci from a letter tritfen 5y Hrvny Cray
70 he Wig Efecmipe Committee of This city
dated
"And here gentleman would stop, but for your
request that would communicate my views
This shall do briefly aud frankly, bu, v ith 70,
lucance and regret.
Coneuuing entirely with you that the peace,
prosperity and happiness Of the United States,
depend materially on the preservation of whiQ
principles, should be most happy IL | saw more
clearly than do, that they are likely to prevail.
but cannot help thinking that the Philadsl.
phia convention bumilated ITSELF and, as far as Il
could, placed the whig party in degraded con.
ditlon. Gen. Taylor refused TO be It's candidate.
Tie prolessed indeed, 10 be whig; but he no
inveloped himself in the drapery OF qualification
and conditions, that Il Is extremely difficult TO dis.
cern bis real politics, He was, and yet is will
ling 10 receive amy and every nomination, no
matter from what quarter II might proceed In
his letter 70 the Richmond Republican of tho
20h Of April last, he declared his purpose TO re.
main candidate, no matter what nomination
night be made by the wbig convention. know
what was said and done by The Louisiana dele-
ration in convention but there is a peii about
hat matter Which l hare not penetrated. Ths
atier from him, which Il was stated one Of that
delegation possessed, has never been published;
md letter on the same subject addressed to the
Independent party Of Maryland, has, at his in
taHee been wiiI,heid from he pubic. II was
lg'te natural lhei after receiving the nomination
ic should approve he means by mhich he obtain.
du What | should be glad TO see. is some re-.
oeslion of the declaration in the Richmond Re.
ublican letter before the nomination was
made.
On the great leading national measures which
ave so long divided parties, If he has any fixed
pinions they are not publicly known. Exclusive
' a military man pahom the least experience in
igH afairs-bred up. and always living In the
amp uah his s,cord By his side and his epau-
'ttes on his shoulders lit is proposed to transfer
i'm from his actual position Of second In COM
iand Of The army 10 the chief magistracy Of this
feai and model republic
II cannot come out In the active support of
1oH caNDlpArE, ! hope that those who know
iylhing Of my opinions, deliberately formed.
I'd repeatedly ayowed, will excuse me- To
ose opinions shall adhere, with increased, in
Fad Of diminished confidence and think that
y friends ought TO be reconcied to the silence
hch have imposed on myself from Difference
them as well as from strong objections which
'nlerain TO the competitor Of Gen. Taylor. |
sh 10 lead. or mislead no one bu, TO leave
10 The unbiased dictates Of their own iudg-
mt.
know, and feel all thai can be urged In the
ual posture Of the present contest.
entertain with you the strongest apprehen-
rs from the election of Gen. Cass; but do
see enough Of hope and confidence In that Of
n. Taylor, to stimulate my esertons and ani-
te my zeal. ! deeply fear that bis success
y lead 10 the formation Of n mere personal
". There ia chance indeed, that he may
e the country better administration OF the
ecutlve Government Than his competitor would;
il is not such chance as can arouse my en-
.iasm or induce me TO asume the responsible.
Of recommending any course or offering any
ice to Others.
With great respect. | am,
Your iiend and obedieni servant.
n. CLAY.