New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-11-17
EW PUBLICATIONS

Bans Co C. I. , vsns. Goeral Agent
Aer the unwesried devotion Of years to his labor
'isus nh the editor of this volume has now given
% the world a copious selection from Mr.. Clay's
vrivste correspondence II embraces the most
Important letters among some three thousand man
ussripts, extending the space Of half century
from 1901 TO 1852 In connection with Mr.. Cay's
own letters, those of several Of his most distin'
gsished correspondents are introduced, when the
eccasien seemed to be Of sufficient importance to
warrant such an addition to the volume. The cor
respondence touches upon the leading events in Mr.
Gays political career, and presents many valuable
illustrations Of the history of the times 1t not
however, confined to topics Of pubic character
The details of his personal and domestic relations
are given in many of the letters, showing that his
fidelity and conscientiousness as statesman were
fully equsled in the less conspicuous sphere of the
priyste citizen. Most of the letters in this vol
anne are now published for the first time. As
specimens Of Mr.. Clay's epistolary style, we select
few Of them on miscellaneous topics, reserving
their political bearing for another occasion.
The following letter to Adam Beatty Of Ken
tueky, presents a remarkable instance of candor
and frankness in the difficult task Of advising a
friend
Mr.. Clay TO Adam Beatty.
ASHLAND, July 25 1918.
DEAR SIR; received your faver Of the 9th. You
mention that you have thought OF becoming eAndi-
date for the Senate and justly viewing me s one OF
ysur frieDos, you have asked my opinion.
In the first place, beg leave to sta, that have
always felt most lively and sincere interest In your
welfare, and that it would give me- personally, much
satisfaction to see you in the situation suggested
With respect to your prospect Of sue ,ess an not
lean of Ia a ysara
out OF the State and therefore knowing but itle OF
the weight and standing of different iniivlduals. l
hinttd al the subject to Barry, who seemed to think
that living in one extreme OF the STATE however
much este emed there, you were probably hardly well
enough known at the other TO count with any GER
tainty upon your success. did not mention II TO
Breci ridge because am quite sure that he pro
poses TO himself the career Of politics; and have
heard though not from him. nor from any th.t 80
far as | know, was authorized by him that he IS
looking himself to the situation should thiak toe
event would greatly depend upon the persons who
might happen TO be your competitors. Should Colonel
JOIN ION offer The has been talked Of with what au-
thority Fl om himself know not or perhaps Bfec&en-
ridge, you would probably fail.
viii now give you, 10 the frank ess which Is due
from the friendship feel for you, my opinion. do
not think you ought TO accept the situation, If you
had moral certaisty Of getting 1t. Although CON,
Portable in your pecunisry condition. you are not rch,
ard have growing family. Instead OF making addi-
tons to your fortune you would most probably make
annual subtrsctons from il, during your service.
For if your pay should cover your expenses, while
absent from your family, affairs would go on less
probably at home than they do Such, a. least,
my experience; and such btisye to DO IN the ma
ture Of things Congress- too, has greater aIscuons
Ut distance than near. After the novelty wears OH,
(which 1t commonly does in the course OF two or
three mon hsl the interest which was at htst felt Is
diminished if not extia suishe5 with most OF thoss,
at least who are not perfectly at their ease In their
circumstances who are not IN putsut OF place
and wilss to venture everything on gettisg IT, or,
lastly, those few individuals whore grea! attachments
give them high degree Of prominence 10 the body
and in the nation.
With respect 10 yourself, u write, you see with the
faikness and freedom which you have nsited,l your
talents Of the most respectable kind but they are
better adapted to the career which you have been
wisely pursuing than 10 that OF politics. While you
would never fail to speak sensibly your elocuhon
would not perhaps procure for you that Nigh degree
of emiDence which am sure you would be amoaous
Of reaching. Besides, you have grea' reason TO ex-
peCt promotion in the judiciary OF either the stare or
The ILiied States when vacancies shall oc'u' While
JUDICIAL appO iment ght also be acquired III Tie STU
alton TO which refer, IT is perhaps not 80 dost
road 10 IL ne by fsihfu aud enlightened discharge
of the duties of your present o1ice. There IS more
over always some risk land il is greater as We are
more s6vsnced in life in quitting an occupation with
which familiar and entering upon another with
which be is LEES cOnversant. The intimate alliance
between law aud poll les, and the habit which is 80
common in our country of participating in the COZ
sidera ion of its political Affairs dilninshes but does
not entirely remove this objeclior.
better judgment will at last guide you, as 1t ought
and that you may be successful aud prosperous, how
ever you may decide, is my sincere wish.
FIN pursuance of the advice of MIR. Clay con-
eludsd to re ain my judicial station and therefore de-
eliI ed becoming a candidate for the Senate OF the
United Sta.es. ALL
Several letters to Francis T. Blair and others
give an interesting reimbursement OF the writer's
feelings in regard to the famous Presidential cleo
ton in 1925. We copy one or two OF them
M. Clay 10 Francis T. BLAIR.
WAsHINGToN Jan. g, 1895.
Ny My position in relation TO the friends
Of the three retained candidates is angular enough,
and often TO very amusing In the first place, thsy
all believe that fIle1ds have the power OF oecl1ing
the question and then that have the power of con-
trolling my fIende. Act1g upon this supposition In
the hour, am sometimes touched gently on the
shoulder by friend for example, OF General Jackson,
who vii thus address me, My dear Sir, oil my de-
yen6ence is upon you don dissppont us; yOu know
pataliiy for you mex; 10 the hero, and bow
much we want Western resident" Immediately
after ffierd Of Mr.. Crawford will accos' me- The
hopes of the Republican party are concentrated on
you for Coda sake, preserve II. IL you had been
return ed in,tesd of Mr.. Crawford every of
would have supported you TO the last hour. We
consider him and you the oely genuine Repub
6ean candidates Next friend of Mr. Adams
comes with tesrs in his eyes: "Sir. Mr.. Adams has
always had the greatest respect for you. and admir-
alton Of your talents. Thee is 10 station to which
You are not equal. Most undoubtedly you are the
second choice of New England and pray yOu TO
consider seriously whether the public good and your
own future interests do not point most distinctly to
the choice which you ought to make How caa
enc Withstand all this dsnteroeted homage and kind
nesst Really, the friends of all three gentlemen are
very courteous ana a6ecOnate that | so netinses
almost wish that il were In my power 10 accommodate
each OF them; but that beng impossible, are be-
ginning TO think seriously of the choice which we
must finally make. ] will tel you then that believe
the contest will be limited TO Mr. Adams and General