Volcano weekly ledger., 1856-09-13


had exhausted his DAYS in the service of the
Republic, and had imposed on all who were
connected with him, as their highest and most
sacred duty, to give their best efforts to the
maintenance of that cause to which his great
heart and talents were so long consecrated.
In the performance of this object, Mr. Clay
said he came there to strike one blow for the
Union He then proceeded to show that the
banner of the Wing party had been fured
andlaid upon his fathers grave Its approach
ing dissolution was announced in the can
vass and success of General Taylor, who re-
fused to acknowledge himself Wing. In
deed its death began when that party de-
clared success to be its great object, in oppo-
sition to the sentiment of Henry Clay-that
it was better to be right than to be PRECEDENT.
He had clung to the old party to its dying
as he had in its prosperous moments and
when its final dissolution was proclaimed, he
looked around to see where he should GO
He felt himself in the embarrassment in which
the Sage Of Marshfeld once found himself
He had entertained opinions in favor of Ma
tive Americanism and had published the first
article that had ever appeared in Kentucky
on that subject. So, hearing that there was
a party organized on that idea, and which at
the same time proclaimed very hlgh-toned
and patriotic national objects and spirit
though he entertained much repugnance to
secret societies, he was pursuaded TO present
himself Tor interrogation at the portals OF
one OF the lodges of the so-called American
order. AS the obligation of secrecy had
been removed from all persons in reference TO
that order he felt justified in stating what
there occurred He was asked what was his
name, Where he was born. what religion he
proiessed, what was the religion of his wife;
and, finally, would he not bind himself never
to vote for Roman Catholic? When this
question was put to him, he withdrew IN dls-
gust That was no place-no party for MN.
What then, was he to do? He looked
around again to see if there was not chance
for the resurrection of the Wing party. Not
a CLEAN Of hope enlivened the gloom Of the
horizon. Under these circumstances his next
thought and inquiry were, in what ranks
could he, in his humble way, contribute most
to the maintenance of the Union and of
national party? He saw no other place for
him to stand upon, but in the ranks of the
party which alone maintained an organization
in all the States-which stood upon national
and Union ground-which alone was able to
present a powerful resistance to the sectional
party, whose success he believed would in
volve the disruption of this confederacy. On
this point he read Mr. Fillmores speech the
spirit of which he greatly appauded. He
should act in the spirit of that address, and
give his vote to the party which presented the
best prospects of success against this pesti-
lent and dangerous sectional movement. He
could see only in the great Democratic party
the power to defeat this party and he should
therefore, give his cordial support to Buc-
hanan and Breckenridge.
Mr.. Clay then proceeded to show what he
considered the utter hopelessness of the un-
dertaking to elect Mr. Fillmore, and the ef-
feet which the persistence of such an effort
must have to weaken the Union party He
spoke of Mr.. Fillmore with great respect, as
his fathers and his own friend. Though APP
pointed, by Gen. Taylor, as a Minister of our
Government abroad, he had been sustained
by Mr.. Fillmore, and received the unusual
compliment of being noticed iayorably in one
of the Presidential messages. The admins
tration of Mr.. Fillmore had been one Of the
most successful and satisfactory since the
days Of Washington and if he thought there
was a chance of his election he would support
him; but there not being ghost of chance,
he would not, for personal preference, haz-
ard the success of the only party which now
has the slightest prospect of success in de-
feating the sectional and disunioD party of
the North.
But he confessed, if he deemed it wise and
patriotic to vote for Mr.. Fillmore, it would
certainly be hard task to take him with the
candidate for the Vice Presidency, Andrew
jackson Donelson, who, besides being rene
gade from his own party, had quite recently
been the reyiler anddefamer of Mr.. Fillmore,
and of that administration which gave Mr..
Fillmore the high consideration and claims
that are now accorded to him. To vote for
Andrew Jackson Donelson in preference to
John C. Breckenridge, was certainly hard
alternative for Kentuckian. Breckenridge
was his townsman, the playmate of his in
fancy the companion of his boyhood, his
friend and intimate at all periods. Brecken-
ridge had additional claims upon him. When
he was elected over Gen. Leslie Combs. to
represent the Ashland District in Congress.
Mr. breckenridge had asked friend of his
father how Mr.. Clay would receive him if he
should take the liberty to call on him. AS
a gentleman and a Kentuckian," was the
reply.
Mr.. Breckenridge accordingly came, and he
(the speaker was present at the interview.
NJ Breckenridge stated to Mr.. Clay that he
had called to pay his respects to him; that
though of the opposite political party, he had
been chosen to represent the district which he
{ Mr.. CLAW had himself represented with so