The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-09-17
--.- Econ, III. Dsih, 1s,se Haute Journal
Letter from the Hon. James b. Clay.

B. Clay, son of the immortal Henry Clay,
written to gentleman living in the vicini-
ty Of this place, has been kindly furnished
US tor publication. 1t will for ever put to
rest, in the minds Of candid men, the charge
of "bargain and corruption" now urged
against Mr.. Buchanan.1AIt commends itself
to every National man and Old Line Wing in
the country
ASHLAND, near Lexington, July IA, '56.
DEAR SiR-T have received your letter of
the 7th inst. am gratifed 10 learn that
you are still an Old Line Wing, who has
not given in to the modern heresies which
have come so near sweeping our noble par
ty from the face of the earth. We are too
few in numbers TO present separate candi-
dates TO the people, for their suffrages for
the highest Office in their gift, but we are
not too few to adhere faithfully to the prin-
ciples of our fathers, and believing them 10
be true, and that truth must eventually pre-
vail, 10 hope for better times, when the
country may have recovered from the mad
ness which appears to have seized upon it.
Like myself and thousands of our fellow
citizens, you are casting about TO endeavor
to ascertain what may be the course your
duty 10 your country ought 10 impel you to
pursue in the contest which is approaching
between the candidates of parties, 10 none
of which you yourself belong. You do me
the honor 10 ask my advice and my opinion.
give my opinion cheerfully and freely.
Iregard the stability of the Union as in
greater peril than it ever has been since the
foundation of the government. In 1920 the
wisest and best men thought it in danger
from the slavery question. The so-called
Missouri Compromise was passed for the
J purpose and with the hope that it would
put that question finally at rest. In 1850 it
was plainly seen that the hope was futile
and the purpose without avail. The whole
country was distracted and torn in pieces,
and the boldest and wisest Statesman trem-
bled for the Union. By the efforts of the
best men of all parties the Compromise of
1850 was effected, and men once again
breathed freely in the feeling that the coun-
try was safe. How vain, how futile their
hopes Scarcely are some of the noblest
actors in the scenes of 1850 cold in their
graves when again the question of Slavery
-in other words of Union or Dissolution
is presented TO us, and in form more tau
gible and direct than it ever before was.
The anti-Slavery party of the North deter
mined TO accomplish its purposes, has pre-
sented purely sectional candidate, North
against Souih, in the person of Col Fremont
for the Presidency. 1t is my opinion that
there is now no other issue than lhis-North
against South-Union or Dissolution of the
Union;-upon this issue what are we 10 do
as sslovers OF our country, who know no
North, no South, no East nor West. H,
The Wing party, to which alone of pres.
ent parties can belong, has not thought it
prudent and advisable TO present candidates
to the country. We have offered for our
suffrages opposing Mr.. Fremont two candi.
dales, Mr. Fillmore and Mr.. Buchanan, both
of whom believe to be, upon the Slavery
question, as true to the Union as am N.Y.
self Each of them is the representative of
principles TO which am opposed. So far
as regards my own convictions and my own
principles neither Mr.. Fillmore or Mr.. Bu-
chanan is my choice; but ! must choose
between them, or suffer, so far as am con.
cerned, the Black Republican party 10 de-
stroy the glorious Union under which was
born and live. Il is but choice of evils,
but both far less evils than would be the
election of Fremont In making the choice
l shall be governed, not by personal attach
ment or personal repugnance to one or the
other ] shall vote for that one who be-
lieve will be most likely to defeat Fremont
and save the Union. IL is n1y earnest belief
that Mr.. BUCHANAN, has a better chance o.
success than Dir. Fillmore, and il as my opinion
that 1t is the duty Of eue,y man, and of every
Old Line Whig, acho prelends TO tore his eoun-
try 10 VOTE FOR HIN as the surest means o,
saving The Union.
II has been repeatedly urged to men that
Mr.. Buchanan was the political enemy and
the villifer of my father. Were everything
that has been said true, should reply, 1
loved my father better than ! loued ang mortal
man, but 1 loUe my Country more. But do
not believe the charge against MIR. Buchanan
to be tue know that for more that twen-
ty.fve years, politically, he was the oppo-
nent of my father. do not for an instant
believe that he had any completely with
Gen, Jackson and others in the charge OF
bargain and corruption made against my
father in 1925. If believed this must at
The same time believe my own father 70
have been false for publicly and privately
he exonorated Mr.. Buchanan from the
charge; witness his private letter, ntcer in.
tended for publication, to his old friend Judge
Brook, page 1853 OF coltin's private cores
pondence- of Henry Clay, in which he says
che could not desire a stronger statement
from Mr. Buchanan;n and his public
speech at Washingron on his retiremen,
from the office Of Secretary of State, IN
which he uses the following languags'4 G
'That citizen {Gensral Jackson) has done
J me great injustice. II was inflicted, as
must ever beiisve, for the double purpose
AZ }yta, ;fv;1o yytvaya vasanf,,aAn7 Ana rrofa&