The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-05-28
rns rontrtcs or EoRMrH DAxa
Henry Clay on the Anti-slavcry struggle
Gen. Taylor rs n WING Candidate.
An uNPrRLsHEp LETTER rRox THE oREAr WING STATESMAN

Henry Clay the Anti-Slavcry struggle |
Gen. Taylor rs WING Candidate.
Az rNPrBLsnEp LETTER rnox The oREAr WING srArEsriS
PIRATE and Confidential
ASHLAND. 18th August. 1s4s.
MY DEAR SIR: Absence from home, and
other causes have delayed my transmission of
m answer to your friendly letter Of the 4th
uito.
am very thankful for the expression OF your
desire that may be instrumental In the ami
cable adjustment OF the slave question. which
has arisen out Of our acquisition Of New Mex
leo and California. II could have foreseen
that could have accomplished such most
desirable object would not have hesitated to
overcome my repugnance to entering again
the public councils: but did not see clearly
how / could effect any good. / think that the
passions OF both parties have greatly magnfed
the Importance OF the question in controversy
Whether slavery I've prohibited or be allowed to
be introduced. by law. into these countries. in
point OF fact, no African slaves will be ever
transported there. The North therefore, ought
not to- indulge the apprehensiops which ii en-
tertains nor ought the South to contend for
an Improbable privilege which If obtained 1t
would never exercise
without expressing at this time any opinion
OF my own on the controverted question. even
II the South had the right on its side. l think it
ought to yield the point. not only for the reason
already stated. but for other reasons. The
South has had the executive Government in Its
hands during the most part OF the time since
the Constitution was adopted. Its public policy
has generally prevailed. The annexation of
Texas. and the consequent war with Mexico.
were results of Southern counsels. The very
exceptionnble mode of that annexation was
exclusively Southern. From the commence
ment Of the Government we had prior to
the last acquisition obtained Louisiana
Florida and Texas and all these with the ex-
ception OF the least valuable part Of Louisiana)
were theatres OF slavery and augmented the
political power arising out of the existence Of
slavery.
Whether the motive of increasing the slave
power did or did not enter into these terri
torial acquisitions. they did in point OF fact ex-
ercise it. and there was enough in the appear
ance and the effect Of the transactions to give
countenance to the Northern belief that that
motive did exercise an influence. Large por-
tons OF the Northern population also feel and
believe that their manufacturing interests have
been sacrificed by Southern domination.
Taking all circumstances into view and es-
pecaly seeing that the South would yield no
available privilege think. in q spirit oil har-
mony and union. that 1t ought magnanimously
" COHStHt w tnc plOpOStu lHlcIulCtlOu VI
slavery in New Mexico and California. If it
continue to oppose it. It will. in my opinion.
nevertheless finally prevail; and the conflict.
exasperated by bitter contention and mutual
passions. will either lead to a dissolution of the
Union or deprive Ii of that harmony which can
alone make the Union desirable. 1t will lead to
the formation of n sectional and Northern
party. which will. sooner or later, take perma-
nent and exclusive possession Of the Govern
ment The South impatient under such pro-
scripton. would ultimately be tempted to
break of from Union in the government OF
which II had no share
wish could see more clearly than l do
how these disastrous consequences can DO
averted. Parties are becoming more and more
pitted against each other They will hereafter
bo marked by greater violence. The Southern
members of Congress. anxious to retain and
conciliate the good opinion OF their constitu-
cnts by contending for those apparent rights
will not yield. They will even. some of them
suppress their private opinions that they
ought to yield. In Difference to their constltu-
ents. or from desire to preserve their popu.
larity. lament that cannot see among them
any who are disposed to rise to the magnitude
of the occasion. to speak boldly and iearIessly
the truth to their constituents. and. sacriiicn.
themselves il necessary. to propose TO save the
harmony. if not the existence OF the Union. by
the surrender Of an empty privilege.
| In the mean time the North. stimulated and
| encouraged by the advantages Of the position
| in the controversy which they occupy. smart
| ing under the conviction that their interests
| have been sacrificed by and they made instru-
ments in extending what they denominate the
slave power. and countenanced and sustained
| by the moral force derived from the course and
the opinions OF foreign nations. will persevere
| and never give up the contest.
| It seems to me that the only alternatives are:
First, retrocession OF New Mee co and Cali
| fornia. or. second. their continued exemption
from the presence OF African slavery.
| But have written much more than intend
ed when began. on this subject. and will pro-
| coed to the other topic Of your letter that re-
lates to the Presidential election.
| Although the proceedings OF the Philadelphia
| Convention were not such as to inspire me with
any respect. and although l regarded it as
merely ratifylng nomination previously made
virtually at Washington by members of Con-
gress many of whom came from States that
will give no aid to the nomination. resolved
quietly to submit 10 it, and make no opposition
| whatever TO It. l have concerned to this reso-
luton. have given no encouragement or
countsnnnce TO any counter movements Tor
| TINS. think. Is as much MS ought to be eN-
pected OF me.
=. I see nothing In the attempt to elect Gen.
| triotism | regard it as one 10 construct mere
persona. party upon the basis of military popu-
| larity, WITHOUT any known principles OF admin
istraton. For great part OF my life / have
been opposed to the elevation Of, military men
TO the Presidency without knowledge or eNpe-
rience in civil affairs. You and last year, IN
some CORRESPONDENCE on this subject which
passed between US, entirely agreed You went
SO far ms 70 say that II Gen. Taylor were to be
the candiate you would Quit the field OF poll
tics. lie, is the merest military man ever Of
| Tered to the American people for that office. He
never filed any civil station in his life, the
camp. Gen Jackson had filled high civil sta
tons, and the larger portion Of the life of Gen.
Harrison had been passed in high civil employ
ments.
Gen. Taylor has. I think. in his numerous
letters; shown much INSTABILITY OF that you
and have both seen evidence Such man
o. others, and who they viii be l know not.
Judging from what | know OF human nature, it
is to be feared that they will be those who fawn
upon him and iiatter him most.
| have been repeatedly asked nay Impor-
tuned. to vouch for him as a Whig; but
could not say more Of him than he has
again repudiated all, obligation TO support