Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-12-03
Mr. Clay and Iea Tayl n.

A compilation Of the private correspondence of
Henry Clay has lately been made and published
by Calvin Colton. 1t is said to contain many
letters Of great interest. TIM, have not heretofore
met the public eye. The anxiety to know how
Mr. Clay regarded the nomination of Gen. Tay-
lnr in ISIS il well remembered There wad no
authoritative declaration the subject Mt the
time, aud many contradictory statements
set in circulation. Mr. Clay took no rart in that
campaign, preferring like Achilles to keep his
tent while the battle ragged around him. The feel
ings and views which Influenced ha conduct may
he understood from the following extracts from
A letter written To committee Of his friends in
Louisville:
A. faras | was personally oonceined,l submit
ted Ia the ,leeision the late National Convep.
Tim al Philadelphia. 1t has relieved me from
much painful suspense aud anxiety, if had been
nominated. and from great yexation care and re-
spon-ihlity. If Ind been subsequently elected.
shall do nothing in opposition to it, shall
give eounienanee ar encouragement TO any
third party movements, ii any should be attempt
ed against it, desire 10 remain henceforward
in undistnrbed tranquility and perfect rrpose.--
| have been much importuned from various
quarters IT, endorse ten. Taylor MS N good wing,
who will, if elected, act on whig principles and
carry out wing measures. But how can | do
TINT Can | say thu in his hands wing measures
will be safe and secure, when he refuses to- pledge
himself Ia their support whrn some Of his most
active friends say they are obsolete! when he i,
presented no partY candidate! when the
wing convention at Philadelphia refuses to recog-
ni,e or proclaim its attachment 10 Wing principles
or measures. mud actually land on the table Ieao-
luton, having that ohieoi in view.
OUGHT 10 come utt = Il warm and uaril san
supporter of a candidate, who, in reversal ii
conditions, announced li~ purpose to remain as
a oan1i late. aud consequently to- oppose me, 81.
far as il depended upon himself! TEL ne what
reciprocity is ia this! Magnanimily is noble
virtue mud have always endeayorod to practice
il; bat il has its limits the linz ot lemnrcatiun
between il and meanness il not always cienrv
disoernhe. | have been telnnded Of the course
pursued in the of the nomination eft Gen.
Harrison in Is -. But General Harrison was
not merely Wing IN name. lie was committed
and pledged to the support ut the measures "f
the Wings. H. did not declare lhni he would
stand rs candidate in opposition to the nomlua
ton OF the convention. H. was moreover, n
civilian OF varied and extensive experience.
1t seems 10 me. gentlemen. thnt self respect.
the consistency of my charn ter, and my true
fame require that should take no action or par.
tlsnn AGENCY in the existing contest. II it was
between Leco-Foco principles and Wing princi
ple-, would engage in it with all the urdcr of
which um capable hut,aa-i fear that the Wing
party is Dissolved, aud that no longer are there
Wing principles to excite zeal aud to stimulate
exeriinn. | ann compelled mast painfully, to be-
lieve that the Wing party has been overthrown
by Il mere personal party, just As much having
that character "a the jackson party possessed it
twenty years ago.
In such contest can feel no cnthu sinsm;and
| am not hypocrite enough to affect what | do
not feel. There is undoubtedly choice. but |
regard il choice of evils, which | will mack
for myself in due time, under the influence of
the grea, principles for which | have so long con-
tended. think my friends ought to leave me
quiet and undisturbed in my retirement. ] have
served the country faithfully aud to the utmost
of my poor ability. If have not done more it
has not been Tor want of henri ~ inclination -
My rnce is run. During the short time which
remains To me in this world | de sire to preserve
nntarnished that character which so many have
done me the honor to respect aud esteem They
NAV rest assured that | will Intentionally d.
nothing to forfeit or weaken their good opinion
of me. Ahstaining hcneefnrth from all active
part in public affairs. and occupying myself with
my private and more solemn duties, shall, il
spared, go to the polls at the proper season like
any other private citizen. nnd cast my vote
may deem best and safest far the principles have
sustained,and for my country. Seeking to inilu
ence nobody, | hope to be permitted to pursue
myself the dictates of my own conscience.
In another letter TO Nicholas Dean, Mr.. CLAY
! says:
The Cabinet of General Taylor was not, il
seems, exactly yon supposed. Some of the
! appointments excited surprise. | think that h,
| might have made one of greater strength. | an
! truly conc erned that Letcher was overlooked
| had strong hopes that he would have been ap
pointed and thought had reason for them.
! think it quite likely that you may hc right il
surprising that neither nor NV friends will lin,
much favor at court. As To myself. having Civ
en- no iust cause for its trowns | can hear then
without difficulty: but the President will be IN
wise if he neglects or pro<cribts my friends
Without them he never could have been elected
A lain. in letter to james Harlan, he says:
IL have never before seen such admin sra
ton. There is very little cooperation Or con
cord between the two ends of the avenue. Their
Is not. behrve, prominent wing IN eithe
House, that has any confidential Intercourse will
the Executive. Mr.. Seward il Is said. had hu
his late abolition speech has presume, cat hin
OFT from any such intercourse "a it has cradjca
ted the respect Of almost all men for him.
shall continue 10 act according to my convc
tons OF duty, cooperating where can with tn
President, aud opposing where must"
: A correspondence is pahiished in the Nation,
American between Hon. JOHN NJ. Boris nm