The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-17
Kossvrn AND CLAY-Tm DIFFICULTY BETWEEN

KOesUTH AND CkAY-TH DIFFICULTY BETWEEN
THE SAGE OF ASHLAND AND THE RoAANCER OF
HUNGARY.-t appears that Kossuth, on his return
to Washington, has been making some unsuccessful
attempts to see Henry Clay, wishing, no doubt, to
explain privately the insult he offered him
publicly, and thus to avoid the necessity and the
modification of a public amende; but Henry Clay
is not the man to be insulted with IMMUNITY; and
Kossuth will fnd-if he has not already found-that
he has walked up the wrong customer The case
stands thus:-During Kossuth's first visit to WASH
ington, an interview took place between him and
Mr.. Clay, in which the latter very strongly OK
pressed his disapprobation of the intervention doc
trnes of the Magyar dreamer, and his adherence to
the sound policy of George Washington. The pro-
ceedings of this interview being of great Importance
to the country, found their way into the news
papers. Kossuth very indignant; and in q
speech at Louisville declared, in effect that the
proceedings were private, and that he who gave
publicity TO them was no gentleman. Now, it 50
happened that Mr.. Clay corrected his own speech,
and gave publicity to it by consenting to its nser-
ton in the Washington Union, and it was 50 stated
in IL Taper BY inference therefore, Kossuth pro-
nounced Henry Clay ono gentleman"-an insult
which he has since retracted, though he took
the opportunity Of recently advcrtng to the subject
in speech at New Orleans.
This was most impudent and PERSONAL attack
upon the greatest statesmen in the United States,
and Mr.. Clay would feel very small in his own esti-
nation, as he would in the estimation of thecountry
il he did not resent it till an ample apology was
rendered We should like to know upon what prn-
cple political discussion between two public men,
~ o:,to ~:
could be regarded as private, or how it was ungen-
tcmanly the part Of Mr.. Clay to take the neces-
sary precaution that he should not be misrepresen-
ed in the matter, by Kossuth or his agents. Accord
ing to Kossuth himself, there can be nothing secret
and at the same time honest, in political or interna-
tional matters. He has designated the secrecy Of
diplomacy as the curse Of nations, and boosted
that he would hold no private communication with
Lord Palmerston, when he was in England, though
invited by the British Secretary Of Foreign Affairs
to do
This, therefore, is only another Of the in
constituencies Of Kossuth, to accuse Mr.. Clay of
ungentlemanly conduct in giving publicity to his
own speech upon a great public question. An
honest man, with sound cause, has nothing to fear
by the publication Of his own sentiments, or of
those uttered against him. The more publicity the
better for him; and Kossuth only betrays his own
weakness by complaining of the proceedings OF
the interview between him and the Senator OF
Kentucky seeing the light of day. Vain, conceted
and inflated with idea of his own Importance, he
seems to imagine that Mr. Clay, and every man
woman, and child in the United States, should bow
down to and worship him, as the self-constitutet
autocrat of all public opinion in the New World OIL
the Old, regarding all independent expression o.
sentiment rank heresy, not to be tolerated OF
endured. Such is the modesty Of penniless exile
who at this moment has more status than oul
printers devil, here or anywhere under the wide
canopy of heaven.