The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-07-11
BUCHANAN's CONDUCT TOWARDS
CLAY

Locofocoism is making large calculations
upon Wing support 1t is vain hope
These Old Line Wings are and were the de
voted friends of Henry Clay, and they vii
never give their political support to one, whc
more than any one else, was instrumental il
fastening upon Mr. Clay the charge of "Bribe
ry and Corruption" and which followed him
in every political canvass in which he was en-
gagged. 1t was pretended conversation be
tween Mr.. Buchanan and Gen. Jackson, an(
the open charge of Mr.. Kremer, colleague
of Mr.. Buchanan's, that opened the flood
gates of calumny upon Mr. Clay, and tha
closed to him the avenues of political prefer
ment. No man who cherishes with affac
tionate regard the memory and reputation o.
the Statesman of Ashland, can think one mo-
ment of endorsing such a man MS Mr.. Buch
anan. With cold and selfish purposes hs
saw the shafts of calumny fly fast and thick
at the noble hearted, and yet never dared
to stand up and right the wrong created by
his own act. The New York Express gives
the following, taken principally from Col
tons Life of Clay, which will pay any per.
son desirous of information concerning Mr.
Buchanan, to peruse it, to "ihe bitter end"
About two years after Mr.. Buchanan's
Federal Circular to the citizens of Pennsyl-
vania, we find him engaged very assiduonslv
-. Al. ID, ..,I ~. ~ -
Buchanan figured prominently throughout in
| that transaction-an arena so admirably
adapted to the inclination of his disposition.
Being at that time member of the House
of Representatives, the excitement and Zeal
his better Judgment allowed him to bear no
envable position from beginning to end
This matter has occupied large space in
the political history of the country, and an
cry discussion on both sides have taken
place. II however, any candid person, dis.
posed to view the proceedings impartially,
will take the trouble to do so, he will dis
cover the political trickery of Mr.. Buchanan,
and ingenuity to avoid any responsibility in
the part he performed. With regard to the
bearer of 0vertures from Henry Claws
friends to Gen. Jackson's friends, il is singu-
lar that he has never been found, unless, as
il has been perinrnty remorked, "it be in the
person of Mr.. Buchanan, as aledged by Gen.
Jackson!" Taking all the circumstances
which transpi-ed during the plot, thefo!ow-
ing significant morceau is worthy Of note,
and which to this day has never been gain.
said. Here it is, free from denial:
"Some time in January, 1926, and not long
before the election of President of the Uni
ted States by the House of Representatives,
the Hon James Buchanan, then member of
the House, and afterwards many years SEN
ator Of the United States from Pennsylva-
mia, who had been q Jealous and influential
supporter Of Gen. Jackson in the preced.
ing canvass, and was supposed to enjoy his
unbounded confidence, called at the lodg
ings Of Mr.. Clay, in the city Of Washington.
Mr.. Clay at the time in the room of his only
messmate in the house, his intimate and con.
tidential friend, the Hon X. p. l.etcher, since
Governor of Kentucky, then also member
of the House. Shortly after Mr.. Buchanan's
entry into the room. he introduced the sub.
iect of the approaching Presidential election
of his favorte. adding that he would form
the most splendid cabinet that the country
had ever had. Mr.. Letcher asked, "How
could he have one more distinguished than
that Of Mr.. Jefferson, in which were both
Madison and Gallatin? Where would he be
able to find equally eminent men!" Mr. Buch-
IN an replied, that she would not 90 ort of
this room for a Secretary of State looking
at Mr.. Clay. This gentleman (Mr. Clay)
playfuly remarked that "he thought there
was no timber there fit for a cabinet Office,
unless It were Mr.. Buchanan himself"
"Mr. Clay while he was so hotly ussailed
with the charge of bargain, and corruption,
during the administration Of Mr.. Adams, no.
tilted MIR. Buchanan of his intention to pub
lish the above occurrences; but, by the earn.
est entreaties Of that gentleman, he was in.
duced to forbear doing so."
Several times since the administrative Of
Mr.. Adams, it has been intimated to Mr..
Buchanan, as we have been informed, that IL
might be Mr.. Clay's imperative duty to pub.
lish these facts, but that he was dissuaded
from it by Mr.. Buchanan.
To add additional testimony, we state
ard let it BE- denied, if it can--that Mr.. Clay
has now lin lS47] in his possession letter
which, il published to the world, would
place Mr.. Bucnanan in an embarrassing po.
sition. The letter rOmes from MIR. Buchan.
am and no call on Mr.. Clay will induce him
to give it up, save one from his country
id est the Senate of the United States.-
The "bargain and sale" conspiracy, with thi,
expose would place Mr.. Buchanan without Il Q
pale of Democracy, MS totally unworthy thr
confidence ofihe place he now holds, and the
sutirages of the people. Why smother up
these political blots! Why surround Mr..
Buchanan with eulogies which do not belong
to him? Let the truth be known, and let
him stand or fall by II.
SECTIONAL PARTIes.-Tn lately published
letter of Mr.. Madison, occurs the following
warning voice:
"Parties, under some denomination or 9TH
er must always be expected in government
as free rs ours. When the individuals be-
longing to them are ntermingled in every
part Of the whole country, they strengthen
the union of the whole while they divide ev
cry part. Should state of parties arrise
foundded on geographical boundaries and 9th
er physical and permanent distinctions which
happen to coincide with them, what is to
control those great repulsive masses from aw-
ful shocks against each 0ther!'