Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-08-07
NUMBER II.

Breckinridge had addii ional claims upOn him.
When he was elected over General Leslie Combs
to represent the Ashland District in Congress,
Mr.. Breckinrdge had asked friend of his
father how Mr. Clay would receive him ifshOuld
take the liberty of calling on him; " As a gen.
tieInan and Kentuckian, was the reply.
Mr.. Breekinridge accordingly came. and he
(the speaker was present at the interview
Mr.. Brecknridge 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. Clay) had himself represented with so
much renown and fidelity and he should con-
slider himself-young and inexperienced as he
was-qute incompetent TO do justice to the
/ high duty he had assumed, without the coun-
sci and aid Of Mr.. Clay and he desired per.
mission TO consult with him freely, when be
should enter upon his duties, and 10 receive the
ald of his great experience and knowledge of
political affairs. Mr.. Clay was much pleased
with this interview. 1t produced a deep i'm
preston on his mind, and his regard for Mr..
/ Breckinrdge was ever afterward warm and
earnest. And now l am expected TO throw
aside such man and vote for Andrew Jackson
DOneson. Why, ftAow Kentuckians,- ex-
claimed Mr. Clay, /" would not give John Q.
Breckinrdge for a woods full Of Andrew jack
son Donelsons'
In this connection Mr. Clay referred 10 the
eloquent, Just and noble eulogium pronounced
by Mr. Breckenridge, in the House of Repre-
sentatives, ON the announcement Of his fathers
death.
Mr. Clay then proceeded to urge rpon his
old Wing friends, the companions and constit-
uents of his father, TO rally around the banner
which he had spent his lie ia yphOlding--the
banner Of the Union. He was ready To follow
the Whig standard as the Douglas followed the
heart of Bruce-as long as it waved. But that
flag was no longer to be seen on the battle
Eeld. Ii might yet be unfurled. After death
there was the resurrection. But at present
there was no Whig organization. and the only
party of the Union was that OF which Buch-
anan and Breckenridge were the candidates.
Mr.. Clay referred to the attempt 10 impllcate
Mr.. Buchanan in the charge Of bargain and cor
rupiion. On that subject he proposed to take
tho testimony of his own father and he read
from Mr.. Clay's letter TO show that Mr.. Buch.
snar had conducted himself In that affair as
man OF truth and honor he should believe
wha; his father said before others. Besides the
evidence he had read, there was other testimony
bearing on the same point. In feeling aud elo-
quent terms ne referred TO the heavy weight Of
that charge against his father, and how gal
lanily and bravely lac had borne IT, Thank
Col it died before his father; aud now, he was
proud To say, that there lived not the man who
would whisper it. But Mr.. Buchanan was free
from all connection with the matter.
Nj Clay concluded with an eloquent appeal
10 his fellow -citiEens, especially Old-liue
Wings, 10 give their cordial support to the
Union ticket-to Buchanan and Breckinridge.
lie sat down amid the most boisterous ap-
blause. We have never heard a more effective
speech. Though the third speech ever made
10y Mr.. Clay, and the first ever delivered in the
open air il was very impressive. both in man
ner and matter. With some OF the tones and
actions Of his father. Mr.. Clay possesses a clear.
concise diction. much logical force and manly
! style. He declared he was not an orator and
appesred somewhat oppressed and restrained
by the apprehension that too much might be
expected from the son Of Henry Clay. His
speech, however, carried conviction to every