The Placer herald., 1856-09-06
Kentuckv in a Blaze.

an immense meeting OF lle Democracy, at
which James B. Clay, Esq, son of the illus
trious Henry Clay, was one of the prominent
speakers. He refuted completely the charge
brought by the opposition, of ngratitude to-
ward his revered father by Mr.. Buchanan.
Mass MEETING IN MAsox-SpEEcH OF
JAMES b. CLAY, EsQ.-On Saturday last an
immense concourse of the citizens Of Mason
and adjoining counties, variously estimated
at from 5000 to 10000, were entertained by
eloquent and forcible addresses from dstin-
guished orators from Ohio and Kentucky
The meeting was large and enthusiastic, be-
yond the anticpations of all. Speeches
were made by Judge Walker Of the Cincin-
natl Enquirer, Col. Hodge of Newport, r.
b. Stevenson of Mason; Hon. Mr.. Penn Of
Ohio, and James b. Clay, Esq, of this city
Not the least gratifying element in the vast
assemblage was the presence of many Of the
most intelligent and liberal of the Old Line
Wings of the northern portion of Kentucky,
whose sentiments seemed to find a cordial
exeression in the words of the two or three
Old Line Wing orators Of the day. Such
grateful evidences Of the cooperation of our
old opponents, in the present crisis, reach us
from all quarters.
The speech of Mr.. Clay was received by
the audience with manifestations Of the high
est satisfaction. His appeals to old Wings
who had ever adhered to the principles of
the old sage at Ashland, found ready re-
sponse in the hearts Of old political associ-
ates on the ground. Ills thorough rcfua-
ton Of the stale caumny against Mr.. Blu
chanan, growing out of the old bargain and
intrigue affair, and his personal testimony to
the fact that his father both publicly and
privately expressed the most entire satisfac
ton with the conduct of Mr.. Buchanan in
that matter, should seal the lips of partisan
editors and orators who now seek to ring
little political capital out Of long hushed diff
ferences. When Mr. Clay, through his son,
acquits Mr.. Buchanan Of all censure, will
not an intelligent people spurn the hypocrit
cal appeals of Designing schemers?
We have been permitted to extract from
the manuscript of Mr.. Claws speech, (Which
will in a few days be puhished) the follow
ing, bearing upon this subject
But, feIIow-ctizcns, l am often asked how
it is possible that I, my fathers SON. can re-
concie it to myself to vote for Mr., Bnchan-
an, who, they say. had so seriously injured
and wronged my father 10y originating, or, if
not originating, by being complicated with
and mixed up in some way or other with that
vile old charge of bargain and intrigue be-
twixt him and Mr. Adams. In nine cases
out Of ten the persons who in my presence
refer to that affair know absolutely nothing
about it; and when to authentic records,
they are too much prejudiccd, and love to he
prejutliced too we'll to allow them to make
the most ordinary examination, | have full
ly and carefully studied the whole history Of
the bargain and intrigue SANDER, with the
express purpose Of ascertaining the truth or
the ialsity Of the charges against Mr. Buchan-
an, and the result of my research has been
that as an honest man | am bound to arquit
him of having had any part in the original
SANDERS, or of having done my father any
wrong when he was summoned before the
public as witness against him. am bound
10 acquit him upon the testimony Of the very
person whom he is said to have wronged
aud slandered, and however little partisan
editors and partisan orators may esteem the
evidence Of my father himself, it is abundant
ly sufficient for me, his son.
The charge Of bargain and intrigue was
first made by Mr. Kremer in an anonymous
letter, subsequently reiterated by Garter Be
verely in his celebrated Fayetteville letter,
and finally asserted bv General Jackson, who
assumed the responsibility Of it, to prove
its truth summoned Mr.. Buchanan before
the public as his only witness Mr.. Buchan
an promptly responded to the call for his
testimony. Did he sustain Mr. Kremer,
Carter Beverley and Gen. Jackson--the last
of whom had summoned him' On the con-
trary, his evidence was clear and distinct, and
fully excul pated Mr. Clay from the charge
made against him. So Mr.. Clay regarded
it himself and he, the person accused, testi-
fled publicly and privately, that he consid-
cred Mr.. Buchanan had done him no wrong.
read to YOU from Colton's Private Cores
pondence Of my father, his private letter.
to his old friend Judge Books OF Virginia,
the friend of his life time, a letter never in
tended for publication, dated August, 1927
in which, referring to Mr., Buchanan's Ian
caster letter, he says: Il could not desire a
stronger statement"
Again Henry Clay says, "when he (Mr.
Buchanan) was summoned before the public
tribunal to establish the charge, the anxious
attention Of the whole American people was
directed to the testimony which that witness
might render. He promptly obeyed the call
and testified to what he knew. He could
say nothing, and he said nothing which cast
the slightest shade upon my honor or integ-
rity. What he did was the reverse Of any
implication on me-
Thus, felow-citizens, we have the private
and public opinion of my father respecting
the testimony of Mr.. Buchanan upon the
charges Of bargain and intrigue | know
that my father would not have expressed such
opinions unless he believed them to be true.
He was satisfied with Mr.. Buchanan, and so
expresses himself privately and publicly; that