Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-10-20
HenTy CIny and John BeIl.

Toe attempt 10 excite the enmity Of the friends OF
Henry Clay against John Bell industrousy made by
the Breckenridge press Is Of the latest devices oil
the present canvass The fac. that for twenty-five years.
and up to the day Of his DEATH Mr. Clay bad no more de-
voted friend personal and political, within the limits oil
the whole Union, than Mr.. Bell is something studiousy
ignored BY these enterprisng friends Of Mr. Breckenridge
Relying upon toast which Mr. Bell drank thiriy-hVe
years ago, during the flush times of JaeksOnism they
proclaim that no one can support Mr. Bell now, who had
any admiration for the character OF the great statesman
OF Kentucky.
The idea Of Henry Clay and John Bell being enemies
is one which, to any person 4. oil eOnversan with the
record Of either will appear curious indeed But that
any lingering doubt on the subject may be removed,
read the following authoritative statement and narrative,
made by the editor of the Louisville Journal:
HxSKY CLAY's OPINION OF JONI BSLL--We stated a
few weeks ago that in lS4S after the election OF Gen.
TAYLOR TO the Presidency, inquired Of Mr. Clay by
letter In compliance with what understood TO be the
wish Of near relative and intimate personal friend Of
Gen. TAYLOR. what statesmen would 10 Mr. Cs opinion
make the best Executive Cabinet and that Mr. c. in
ply mentioned in exalted terms, among other distin-
pushed names that Of John Bell.
From a conversation that We had yesterday With Gov
Le,cher Of this State enabled to say that Mr.
Clay had tie opinion Of Mr. Bell in 1910 that he
had in lS4S What are now about to state Is upon
Gov. Lechers authority;
Aher Gen Harrison's election he made visit to
Frankfort KY and very soon after his arrival wrote TO
Mr. Clay expressing wish to him soon as prac
cable. The Hon. VIM j. Graves the bearer OF Gen.
Harrsons letter. Mr. Clay answered that be would with
great pleasure see Gen. Harrison the next evening at
Gov Letchers. He accordingly went from Lexington TO
Frankfort the next evening" and the following morn
mr. he and Gen Harrison breakiasted together VI Gov.
LetcheF's house. Immediately after breakfast, Gov.
l. cher conducted them TO the paror and told them they
cOld have the freest conversation there without inter-
rupon Gov Leteher was about TO retire when Gen. Har
rson nss Cd that he should reman-sayng that he wish
ed him to be present at the interview Gen Harrison pro-
posed to Mr. Clay accept the SecreAryship OF State,
which Mr. Clay IN very earnest aud very respectful
manner declined for various not necessary to be
Ge allied here Gen. Harrison then inquired Of Mr.. Clay
who in his opinion should be appointed Secretary of
State Mr. Clay said that IN his opinion, Mr.. Webster
should be- and that the public would expect it, Several
gentlemen whose merits discussed, were spoken OF
for the different places in the Cabinet In the course OF
the consultation Gen. Harrison remarked that he wished
to look to Tennessee for member Of bis Cabinet Gov
etcheF yentured TO suggest, " you go 10 Tennessee
John Bell Is your man" Gen. Harrison then inquired Of
Mr. CLAY what he thought Of John Bell. Mr.. Cay's
ply was avery well Mr. Bell possesses two excellent
au Lit for Cabinet hinster-hmutss and integrity"
Srch was the opinion that Henry Gay expressed in
gard to John Bel when speaking the President elect
uuder deep Of the high responsibility he owed 10
his country, and all know that President Harrison ar
pointed JOhn Bell Secretary Of War
Mr. Bell was an eector on the Clay ticketn 1914. aud
in an elaborate speech at Murreesborough in Tennessee
defended Mr. Clay from the charge Of bargain and
upton. Thus this gun is spiked. Who comes nexts