The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-10-01
ADDRESS of Thomas Il. Clay.


a..a many to rive that calm reflection to the
resent political condition Of our beloved coun-
Etrv which it SO imperativelv demands, notwlth-
standing the objections which present them
-Eselyes to me, and which are many and grave,
[ have determined from sense OF duty, 70 com
ply with theirwishes; to appeal to the patriotism
of my fellow countrymen, and, Tiny warning
voice may be heard in this momentous crisis, to
urge upon them the selection OF such candidates
for the presidency and vice presidency OF the
United States as can alone give permanence to
our institutions, and bring peace to our distract
ed country. 49,
Content to remain in the situation III which
Providence has placed me, [ have never aspr-
ed to any political office. lhave, however, from
nv position an acquaintance with the public
men of the United States and their political bis
tories, which few, otherwise situated, could have
attained.
/ We are called upon to select between James
/ Buchanan and Willard Fillmore and colonel
John G. Fremont for the next presidency. AS
/ for the last named of these gentlemen, have
been unable vet to learn upon what eonsldera-
tons his friends base his claims. 1t IS but the
madness of party spirit and sectlonallsm which
could attempt the elevation Of such man te
the high office to which he aspires. :,
Nv father thought Mr.. Buchanan weak and
corrupt, wanting, as general jackson has IT, In
moral tirmness [ have no reason to vary my
opinion from his Mixed up, as he IS IN the
i old s.bargan and corruption plot, his card te
the Telegraph newspaper, in July, 1927, IL
which he says, | attempt not to give the words
but the substance, s'Mr. Adams has been elect
ed to the presidency by Mr. Clay sagency; MIR
CLAY has been appointed secretary of state by
Mr.. Adams; the people will draw their own In
ferences; 'his attempt to prove lnpubllc speeches
in 1914. in Pennsylvania, that Mr.. Polk was
better tariff man than Mr.. Clay, furnish such
damning record of his weakness and corruption
i that | cannot conceive how even any democrat
i of the old line, mean Jackson democrat, eoule
give him his support. Who could believe, then
ihat any old line whig, or any friend OF my ia
Their, would be found enlisted IN his cause!
Whether as author or signer OF the os.ene
manifesto, he has shown an utter want OF thos'
statesmanlike qualities which are requisite II
a president of the United States
The time has come when every lover OF NJ
country should speak out boldly and fearlessly
[ shall not shrink from the duty. loo much L
at stake to tolerate silence IN any one rs aWSther M
- - A. ,-at-sv.t rrtotoTles Vi eitiiei WI
Fillmore or Buchanan. Col. Fremont has none
Turn we now to Willard Fillmore. Hyperion
i to Satyr By the act of Providence, called tt
the presidency of the United States, we see hin
national and conservative in all respects; up
holding the constitutions carrying out its com
promises; attending to the interests OF every
section; respected at home and abroad On thu
completion of his term, hailed by honest whig
! j = mr.
faithful servant" etc.
Can an American public halt in its opinion
between such men? Is slavery agitation neve
to be put to rest? Is squatter sovereignty ane
flibusterism to be tolerated by free and enlight
ened Americans? Esau-like, are we ready t(
sell our birth rights for mess ofpottage? For
bid it, almighty God!
! Away with the wretched plea Of availability
Let US do what is right and look TO God with
honest conscences for the result.
To the old line wings of the Ashland district !
take leave to say, honor them for their course
In their own approving consciences they alrea-
dy feel their reward. They wantno offices, they
acted for the good of their country, and they
| have come nobIy up to the work No cry OF
availability could swerve them. in pledging
| their support to Mr.. Fillmore, they do only what
! their old leader would do, with all his might,
could he now once more address his country.
| | write warmly, for | feel deeply the Impor-
! lance of the crisis through which we are about
to pass. believe the ''spirits of the just made
perfect, if they are ever permitted to look down
upon the affairs of this earth, are now bending
their approving chances upon the efforts of the
friends of Fillmore and Donelson, to elevate to
the high office of president and vice president
those distinguished and trustworthy citizens
Look at Kansas; what has produced the state
of things now being enacted there? Is 1t not
the weak and inbecile administration of Frank
lin Pierce? Has not James Buchanan adopt
ed the acts of his administration as part OF his
platform? And can our abused country sub
nit to such another administration for four
years longer?
Away with such miserable abortions. In
Willard Fillmore we have statesman calm and
wise and fearless, who can still the element of
discord and advance the best interests OF our
country.
Brothers of the American party, stand to your
arms and be of good cheer! National and con-
servative men throughout the land are gather
inc to our standard. A few weeks, trust, will
produce such results as shall forever put to rest
sectionalism flibustersm, squatter sovereign
ty, and every thing that shall tend to mar the
integrity, harmony and peace of this glorious
confederacy. Respectfully, your ob't serv't,
THos H. CLAY,
Mansfield, Sept. s, 1856.
HEAR BRECKENRIDGE SUCcEssoK.-Whe
John c. Breckenridge was nominated for the
vice presidency, he was democratic elector for
the State of Kentucky. Col. John w. Steven
son, of Covington, has since been nominated in
his stead, and is canvassing for Buchanan and
Breckenridge. 1t seems, from the reports of his
speeches made by the newspapers, that he bears
down very hard upon the indiscreet and unin-
formed politicians who represent Mr.. Fillmore
as an aboitionist, or unworthy of sout,., IN sup
port. The Observer and Reporter gives the
following as the substance of his remarks at
Lexington upon this point: .. - -
He said it was no part of his mission TO abuse
or denounce Mr. Fillmore: that he did not in
tend to initiate the example of some of the u-
venile, beardless speakers who were roaming
over the country; he frankly admitted that Mr..
Fillmore was a pure patriot-that he met the