The weekly American banner. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 1855-18??, 1856-07-04
From the New York Express.
How Mr.. Buchanan Served Henry
CLAW.

As the friends of HENRY CLAY and those who
for sixteen years urged his nomination or election
to the Presidency, we confess to an ancient grudge
against the nomination made at Cincinnati. we
feel that Mr. Clay failed to reach the highest Of
fee in the gift of the people in consequence Of the
wrong received at Mr.. Buchanans hands,-and
that these wrongs were seen in acts both OF per-
sonal and political injustice. The political oppo-
sition was both matter of right, and for one be-
LONGING 10 Mr.. Buchanan's political school, mat
ter of duty, but the personal calumny and injus-
tice was a step beyond the prophecies OF the .po'
litical canvass, and deep outrage upon one whose
good name was more to him, and more to his
friends than any political success. We could even
put down Mr. Buchanan's declaration in 1914,
in the State of Pennsylvania, that MI. Polk scas
better tariff man than Henry Clay, as piece
of debauched partizanship, excusable upon the
ground that "all was fair in politics" 1t was q
piece of sharp political practice worthy of one
who believed that the end justified the means. 1t
was position which could be opposed, adeclara-
tion which could be denied, an untrue statement,
made before the people, and which could be an
swered where it was made.
But nineteen years before 1914, Mr.. Buchanan
commenced piece OF injustice towards Mr.. Clay,
from which he has never relieved himself, and
from the injustice of which he never can escape.
"B ,rgain and Corruption" made against Mr..
CLAY and with Mr. Adams, Mr.. Buchanan is re-
sponsibe for that charge, and doubly so, because
he knew its falsity. 1t was first promulgated by
George Kremer of Pennsylvania, but General
jackson, 90 long estranged from Mr.. Clay in con-
sequence Of it. made Mr.. Buchanan the chief wit
ness in the case. The only evidence OF the charge
was that Mr.. Clay was opposed to the elevation
| of military chieftain and took office under the
civilian, John Quincy Adams. whom he preferred
to General Jackson. So far from the charge be-
ing true that Mr.. Adams had ever made any pro-
position to Mr.. Clay to receive support from him.
or that DIR. Clay had ever promised any support
to him, this very Mr.. Buchanan himself, as we
learn after nearly score of years of forbearanee
and silence on the part of Mr.. Clay, declared to
Mr. @. that he could be made Secretary of State
By General Jackson's election. The motive, the
tender, if there ever was any, came from the other
side. 1t was from General Jackson's friend
james Buchanan,-to Henry Clay, when Adams
Jackson and Crawford were in the field together
as rival candidates for the Presidency.
The Times of the 9th states the facts as we
have before, and indeed confirms them:
:The bargain and intrigue" SANDER originated
with Mr.. Buchanan, although first promulgated
by his colleague George Kremer. General Jack
son, in repeating giving credence to the charge
made Mr.. Buchanan his principal witness. Wher
publicly appealed to, his letter, although signally
failing to confirm the testimony he was expected
to give, did not do Mr.. Clay that ample justict
which he, above all other men at Washington
while the contest in the House was pending; il
February, 1925, had it in bis power to render.
.The charge rested wholly on the fact that Mr.
Clay took Office under Mr.. Adams as Secretary
of State There was not the semblance Of any
other proof, direct or by implication of bargoin
while the first and only overt intrigue on the sub
ject of Mr.. Gays support that ever the country
was sensible of-and that by the magnauimou
forbearance Of Mr.. Clay, not for Is or 20 years
afterwards--was initiated by james Buchanan
himself. 1t was he that said to Mr.. Chy-possi
bly, tjocosely," as be recently declined the over
ture Of Lord Clarendon to arbitrate the Contra
american qnestion--th he could be made Sec
rotary of State by the election Of General Jack
Il SON. ~ IN - fsr * s. u sss 81 ST
Mr.. Buchanan Is perhaps less Of . politician
i now than Id 1825-27, but he has shown no i'm
provement either ia manliness or fairness Of char
actek. 1fr. Clay fit keenly this injustice, ani
though the slander has been exploded, and tn,
4 objects Of it beyond the shafts Of al calnmny
there are good many thousands, 81 the friend
Of Henry Clay who. think Of IL, speak off, an
Who viii, at the right lime end ID the right way
show their appreciates q The snlhor Of th,
xnrrs,or