The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1856-07-26
He Must s'Speak or Dlc.''

killed and about dozen wounded.
He Must s'Speak or DE-"
Mr.. e. Cotton. the author of the Biography
of Henry Clay, recently addressed a note, as
our readers have seen, to the editor of the
New York Times, confirming our statement
that the two paragraphs in the Biography
relative to Mr.. Buchanan's approaching MI
Clay in Mr.. Eetcher' room in January, 1926
to offer Mr.. Clay the Secretaryship Of State
for his support Of Gen jackson were written
by Mr.. Clay's own hand. Mr.. Cotton further
states in his note to the Times, that sir. tiiny.
on furnishing him those passages for the Bio.
graphy, appended to them note requesting
him to apply to Gov. Letcher for further in
formation on the same subject, and he adds
that he did accordingly apply to Gov. Letcher
| but found his lips sealed by a pledge Of ST.
lenec given to Mr.. Buchanan.
We say, with the Times, that We must now
have Gov Letcher's evidence full, or Mr..
Buchanan must fall before the infamy of his
position in refusing to allow it. Mr.. Clay
has appealed to it, and the injustice done him
by Mr.. Buchanan cries out from the grave
for Gov. Letcher to be permitted to speak.
The truth Of history demands it. Every old
friend of the saintcd patriot will demand it.
And we trust the American people will de-
mand it. Let Gou. Letcher speak or let the
deep damnation Of the seal putsupon his lips
be proclaimed to the world Justice to Henry
Clay calls aloud from hisagra for this reye-
lation. There is enough, iadeed, on the re-
cord Of history, which Mr.. G.. caused to be
made. to show on which side, snd by whom.
bargain was proposed; but the finger of a de.
ceased patriot, and he the greatest, the
purest, and NEST lnagnanimous Of the age in
which he lived, points to revelation on this
very subject yet tmnade, and justice to his
name and fame demands that it should be
NADER, -. -'-',r-.-- Z
If Mr.. Buchanan has any friends left, that
entertain the slightest respect for him OF are
willing to see justice rendered to the injured
and mighty dead, let them at once unite with
the rest of the people Of the country in de-
handing peremptorily and stcrnly that he at
once authorize Gov. Letcher to make a state.
ment of the facts which that gentleman stands
pledged not to make without his consent.
Henry Clay wanted those facts stated in his
lifetime for the vindication Of his foully.
slandered fame; and Gov. Letchcr, as is
proved by MIR. Buchanan's own hand, ap.
Piled to Mf. B, for permission to state the
truth, but that guilty man, as is proved by
his own hand, withheld such permission and
insisted that the old pledge Of silence should
be rigidly kept. If Mr.. Buchanan now, with
the whole Sag-Nicht press at his back, dares
to meet the truth face to face if he dares to
let the world know what his conduct was
upon the memorable occasion which gave rise
to that dreadful charge against the greatest
and best man of all our land a charge that
has influenced the political destinies of Four
country ever since, Yet him, abandoning the
miscra BILE and skuking and cowardice of his
present position, stand up and bid Gov.
Letcher speak. Then the world, whatever
else it may say of him, will never call him
coward again. He will strongly remind us
of Ajax defying the thunderbolt. Will he
let Gov. Lctchcr do justice to the dead Clay
by statement of the truth? Ifnot, who Of
all the true and honorable and just men of
the country will be guilty Of the degradation
of supporting him for the Presidency!
And, whilst Mr.. Buchanan is giving his
consent that Gov. Letcher shall speak out,
let him. if he darcs, give his consent in an.
other matter, to which we have already re-
! -irrlcd, In lS4S, during the lifetime Of Mr..
Clay, writer of high responsibility and au-
thorty, after publishing the statements given
by Mr.. Clay in Colton's Biogl Apply, said:
To add further testimony We state--and let ii be
denied ifit cah-that Mr.. Clay has now in his
possession letter which il publishedto the world
| would place Mr.. Buchanan In an embarrassing
condition. The letter came ftam, Mr. Buchanan;
and no call on Mr.. Clay viii induce him to give
itup, save one from his country-that Is, the Sen.
ate Of the United States. The bargain. and sale
f.ssnspFasy, With. Il thtr expose would place MI.
tally unworthy the place he holds and the SUIT.
frages of the people. - r
We and many others heard Mr.. Clay speal,
of this letter Of Mr.. Buchanan which he lad
in his possession. And now let Mr.. Buchauan
who aspircs to that lofty position which hi
prevented Henry Clay from attaining the
Presidency Of the United States, signify
under his own hand, or through'an authori.
zed FRIEND his consent that any letter of his
to Mr.. Clay upon the subject of bargain and
corruption shall be given at once to the world
We are not quite certain that the letter is
still in existence. Possibly Mr.. Clay, whose
resolve was that it should not be published
unless with the consent Of Mr.. Buchanan OF
at the call Of the Senate Of the United States
ordered it upon his dcath-bed to be DESTROYED
but we should not be Mt oil surprised il thu
formal consent Of Mr.. Buchanan to its publ.
cation were to effect sudden, remarkable
and most astounding development. At any
rate, if no development should follow, Mr.
Buchanan would sustain no damage from
giving his consent, but, on the contrary
would be very essentially benefited.
Then let just world, with one voice, de
mand Of James Buchanan, candidate for tn
Presidency of the United States, to authorize
4 the Hon. Robert p. Letcher to make tina
statement of facts which Henry Clay sough
to obtain from Mr.. l.. through Mr.. Cotton
and let it also demand of him to authorize tn
- .i,1--.. -s his own lett.p tn Mr. Ola,
WEB tne great statesman SO often said to M
NJ en % ne would never publish unless witt
~. ucnanan's consent ~ at his country
: NJ ANchansn shall resist thes