The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-09-20

gam and Corruption" dgdiast mr. Guy moetng Me CON
aezoa hsrsWth Of James Buchanan and A. j. Donsi-
soH.
GENTLEMEN OF all the questions at issue between
the parties purpose confne my remarks this evening
TO single one-namely the e"hargainandntrgue charge
against Henry Clay and the connexon herewith OF the
respective Of the parties for the presidency and
vice presidency My position Is, in some respects to me
novel in Others 1t ia one with which In times past
have been familiar. Ii is novel in that arise for the
first time in my life address public assembage in sup
port Of the candidates of the democratic party but the
subject about which design TO speak is one which have
often before been called upon discuss and about which
entertain the opinions which have In times past
expressed
know that my conclusions will not be in accordance
with the opinions OF many OF those with whom have Tor
number of years been politically associated, but ac-
cord such the privilege which claim and exercise my
self OF deciding upon the proper course Tor me 70 pursue
according TO my own convictions OF right we nave
agreed once--we differ Let us calmly and dispas-
sionatey examine the points Of disagreement that we may
discover which of US have dveged from the old track we
followed under the leadership of Henry Clay AS
before said propose this evening to discuss bu one OF
the questions now at issue.
la the illusions which will OF necessity be called upon
to make individuals trust my remarks will not be cou-
srued into desire convey personal offence Moth
ing is further from my intention The characters of whom
am about to speak have been made historical by their
connexion with the great events of TIE past take them
up find them there recorded wrhey have been, and
still are in drama of political life and could
omit of the characters without marrng the play
To do would be like dispensing with the character Of
the Prince Denmark
Of the play of Hamlet OF the nimtable Dogbery in the
play OF Much Ado about Nothing" Besides, it them
selves, not l. who made their history.
The exgences of party contests often place men in posi-
tions strangely dscordant with the antecedenls of their
past history Politicians by profession sometimes find to
be of extreme pepexty to square their present
attitude in reference to both men and measures with tha
which they have previously occupied but in no instance
in modern times has this Inconsistency been clearly
manifest than in the of those leaders of the parties
posed to Mr. Buchanan who attempting, by the OBJ
vousy-expressed opinions TO convict Mr. Buchanan d
having been chief consprator against Mr.. Clay in the
charge OF bargain with John Quincy Adams.
TINS charge against Mr. Buchanan for the first time
made by those protesting TO have been the friends Of Henry
Clay, although than thirty years have elapsed since
the ot the events referred niusicay too
contemplate for serious notice, but IL is nevertheless
rous analyze the combination Of individuals factions
and parties which conspicuous in their efforts to
reproduce these long reued charges against Henry Cy
1t hardly necessary for in the outset to declare
truth which must be manifest 10 every sincere friend OF
Henry Clay that except those whose party feelings
fill space in their bosoms much greater than that
pied by their love and regard Tor the memory Of the great
whose remains now repose in their last restng-pacu
at Ashland would attempt TO that the distinguished
candidate of the democratic party for the presidency
endorsed the charge.
before the tribunal of public opinion the friends of the
cused very naturally seek soften the evidence of those
who testify against him. and point riumphanty to the
testimony Of such witnesses for the prosecution
him from the offences laid his charge But what
would be the feelings OF such accused person toward those
who while pretending friendship reject the testimony Of the
most respectable witness upon the stand and insist ainst
his solemn declarations that Notwithstanding his
disclaimer he really believes that friend guilty charged
Such the position of those pretended friends of Mr. Clay
who Tor the purpose of accomplishing party end, scruple
not to dig up from the grave Of oblivion this charge OF
bargain and endeavor TO add TO the weight Of estimo
against the whose memory they profess 10 revere
The deed alone convcts them of dupeiy But lest there
may be lingering doubt upon the minds Of some it may
be well call the roll OF those who most conspicuous
in their attempts njure the fame Of Mr. Clay by rey
val OF this charge. What old Clay whg of twenty-five
years ago does remember the little knot Of political n-
riguers who that time Familiarity denominasd Gen
Jacksons Kitchen Cabinetp Ii power behind the
throne which sought TO poison the mind Of the old Gen
eral and 10 stimulate his resentment against all who
were obnoxious the individuals composing this cui-
nary clique. 1t regarded by the Clay men Of that
day kind Of suberranean junto Of petted domestiC
whose ayocaon was overhear private conversations
and concoct ISLANDERS which they would and d
qest the kitchen OF the White House and communicate
TO Gen. Jackson in such manner as they supposed word
most efectually subssrye their private purposes The
bead Of this "Kchen Cabinet William b. Lewis the
channel OF communication with Gen. jackson was An
drew j. Doneson the metropolitan organ the Globe
under the editorial charge OF p Blair and the home
gan OF communication with the public the Nashvills
Republican then, now edited by Allen A. Hall Against
Mr.. Clay this clique waged bitter than an
which has before since sgnazed the conflicts Of parties
The opprobrous the ephet the better suited the
tastes OF these malignant traducers Notwithstanding the
positive and unequiV Voca testimony Of Mr. Buchanan eab
fishing the innocence Of Mr. Clay they howled forth the
calumnious charge until throughout the length and
breadth Of the land IL the universal theme In vain
did the friends Of Mr. Clay heap proof upon proof Of his
innocence n vain did they point TO the evidence OF Mr.
Buchanan who they said, fully and concus yely proved
that the enemies Of Mr. Clay mistaken and that he
guiltess of all wrong The clamor Of the Kitchen
Cabinet and its followers only grew the louder the
proofs Of Mr.. Gays innocence were multiplied, until at
length their gnAn hatred grathed by the fruon
OF their ardent efforts TO poison the hearts Of the people
against this great man.
But they satisfied with their success upon this
point They added thereto charges Of still grsver char
acter and through their before mentioned home organ cd
tied by the present editor OF the Nashville Banner they
charged that
"Ar Clay STANDS CONVICTED Of karing pariicipa-
ted FULLY AND ENTIRELY, in he destgns Of AARON
BURRP
Having TINS charged Mr.. Clay with moral treason in
bargaining with Adams for the Secrearysbp and polit-
cal by his completely with Aaron Burr might be
supposed that the vas OF caumny bad been emped But
nothey proclaimed him unprincpled a degree beyond
that Of any politician Oho srsed and Mr. Hall asks
as one already convinced
" Did a greater DEMAGoGUE, a more UNPRTNCIPLED
politician EVER EXIST in any age or country than Henry
Clay
And agaiu with the triumphant exultnon Of an enemy
whose vengeance could not be appeaed by the down
fall Of his adversary goatng over the msforunes or one
whom their ISLANDERS had for the time prosracd the
same home organ exclams
with the apfui fos and dowRfaH OF Henry Ciay before
him. what public servant win hereafter dare 10 yfclass
his elevation with sacrifice Of the wishes and interests
OF the people he representa- HIS example rg be terrible
lesson 10 the rising and future politicians Of our country
Years passed away. The "Ktchen Cabinet as n unit
dissolved upon the retirement Of General Jackson but
still the individual members Of which IL was composed
would ose favorable opportunity OF revamping the
charge against Mr. Clay, and denouncing Mr. Buchanan