Daily national Democrat., 1860-06-21
Ylational QrmOtrat.
Letter from Henry Clay, Now First
Published.
from the Albany Statesman. ]

Published.
From the Albany Statesman.l
III. following letter was written by Henry
~ i1 Immediately after the adjournment Of
+ 'pbihdelphia Convention, in lS4S. 1t is
6rst published from the original, in our
o.,ession
f0a tbe eve of another Presidential struggle
~ill be read with interest:
ASHLAND, June Is, 1913.
At, DEAR SIR: Before the receipt of your
rrior letter of the 29th ult., | was pre-
.,s5 to expect the event which has since
',pened in Philadelphia. Your letter con-
s.sl to strengthen my anticipation of it..
"A, Intelligence of the nomination of Gen.
fror reached me the same day it was
lost the nomination from three causes
frt, the course of the Kentucky delegation !;
rsond my very great disappointment in not
aiming, as | had every reason to suppose
i,oald, the support ofthe Ohio delegation
N third, the persevering adherence of the
sachusetts delegation to Mr.. Webster
Iov such delegates came to be appointed
t9n kentucky You doubtless have heard
ton some of Our Kentucky friends ut Phila.
aphia. Never was | more surprised at any
,srrence of the kind than | was by the
rNpeced course of the Ohio delegation.
M received the strongest assurances from
Gs most eminent men in the State, in vari-
4. forms that the support of that State
,oud be given to me, and that it would not
/, for Gen. Taylor if nominated was en-
lated bv the Governor, and by several
3.logotes TO the Convention, and by various
SLar eminent persons in Ohio, not to decline
@o I, mao Of nv name before | addressed my
un,e to the public. | was informed that
"or,o eiobt or ten of the delegates were cho-
an exnTessly to sustain my nomination, and
Ibat ali who were appointed to support Mr.
rorwin would go for me upon his declining
Spch was the influence on my mind of these
,s,1rances and this Information, that they
,onstuted a leading motive with me in al
lOuing my name to go before the convention
And. if | had forseen that Ohio would have
tor:ued the course which she did in the cor
tenIion, never would have consented that
mn name should have been presented to that
ljr
Idwell on this subject of Ohio, not in any
|pnphining or repining spirit, but because
4 1; the only important fact stated in my note
n ,he public, which has not been subsequent,
lr sustained.
But, if have had great cause of surprise
n respect to that State, have abundant
,elon for eternal gratitude to the city and
sne of New York, and to my numerous,
tNbful, ardent, and enlightened friends in
,hem, for their Jealous and constant support
tine; and to none more than TO yourself,
if the ability, activity, energy, and efiicien-
iy which you have displayed throughout the
ipduOns struggle.
The work is done, and have no alterna-
I've but quiet submission. am relieved
BON painful suspense and great anxiety du-
fng the canvass if | had been nominated.
inifrom fearful responsibility if | had been
teeed | ought not to regret the event on
ly own account personally, and | believe
/ re are but few men who can bear it so
EeL On account of my friends, indeed,
iull have wished that it had been otherwise.
leeply regret that have no way of testi-
hing NY great obligations to them; but
pope they will be assured that | shall ever
bold them in grateful remembrance.
The nomination of Gen. Taylor, as far as |
lave yet heard, in Kentucky, has occasioned
rucl disappointment. and has been coldy
,eived. The papers will tell you perhaps
lhsrwise, but they greatly exaggerate.
lht of Mr.. Fillmore gives the most entire
As for myself, I shall take no active part
regard to the nomination. OF course
n never support Gen Cass. The case of
en- Taylor is not like that of Gen Harrison.
e former is a purely military man, with
tany experience whatever in civil affairs.
e latter was far more distinguished as a
ilian than a military commander. Cen
yor is no Wing, or, if he be one, a sort of
ldescript Wing. IL Whig in name, without
principles of the Wings. Gen. Harrison
an open and avowed Wing, in principle
veil as 10 n name.
presume my residence in a slave State
me the nomination. And yet those who
d have secured it have allowed one to be
inated who is far more deeply imbued
the doctrines of slavery than ever was
hall be. Their course resembles that of
Abolitionists of 1874. They complain
t they have not got a thorough going
Jig; and when they have got the power
nominate thorough-going Wing they
uld not exercise it.
But must close. with fervent prayers
1t you may long live in health and happi-
IS and the enjoyment Of every blessing.
With constant and cordial regard.
II. CLAY.