The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-07-20
HENRI !
AND ARkE[R
Letter of the one Like the Telegram,
Of the Other.

WASHINGTON, July ia gener-
ally forgotten episode in our politica;
! history has been recalled TO my mind
by the action of Judge Parker in send
ing his now famous dispatch to the
| st. Louis convention.
| I; 1874 the issue Of that campaign
vas the annexation of Texas. 1t was
| the predominant issue in the Sontr.
| where tho extension Of slave territory
was regarded as necessary TO their pc
culiar institution. Mr.. Clay, return
| ing from a tour OF the Southern
States, on reaching Raleigh, n. c., ad
| dressed Il letter to the National Intel
| !igcncer, dated April II, proclainlia@
his opposition to The annexation OF
| Texas. Mr.. Farker's telesraDhic DIS
| patch did not create MOI g surprise
| than did the letter OF Mr.. Clay. a day
or Two after his letter was received
Mr.. Clay arrived in Washington, ana
was waited on by Mr.. Gales, who urges
him TO withhold the letter from
publication until after the meeting Oh
the Wing convention, which met III
Baltimore on the 1st of May, 1S44.
This Mr.. Clay refused TO do in so EN-
phatic q manner that Mr. Gales rc-
turned to the office and said Mr..
Clay had treated him like a school
boy" Mr.. Seaton said he would see
him hat afternoon. Mr. Seaton re
tuyned from his interview with Mr..
Clay. hardly less annoyed than Nj.
Gales by MIR. Clay's persistence in the
publication OF the letter. After consul.
Fation with Mr. Gales. I was sent to re-
Guest Mr.. CIay's permission to witt
hold The. letter from publication fol-
forty-eisht hours.
In the meanwhile the Hon. Wiley =.
Nan.um had been sent for, in tho
hope that their influence with Mr..
Clay would induce him to withhold the
letter from publication until the adj
iournment CT the convention at Balt;-
more.
l called on MIR. Clay at the residence
OF Mr.. William a. Bradley, then may.
G. Of Washington on Maryland ave
nue.. near the corner of Seventh
street, | found Mr. Clay alone in the
par!or, and told him I had come from
Messrs. Gales and Seato to request
LIS lj+lIlISSiOil " NiLI1llDtti Tie publ
cation of his letter fer forty-eighv
hours.
Mo- Numbered Mr.. Clay. Tell
Messrs. Gales and Seaton if my letter
is not published tomorrow morning
in the National Intellisencer, VIII |
send it 10 my friends, Messrs. Blair |
and Reeves. for publication in the |
Globe |
Mr.. Clay'S manner was so vehement |
as to startle me, observing which he |
laid MS hand kindly on my shoulder
and said:
My son. I have been so annoyed |
and worried can hardly contain M
self
I returned to the office and informed
Nessrs. Gales and Seaton of the re-
suit of my visit. He simply said:
That ends Mr.. Clay. Take this let
ter and hand it to Capt. Moore and
tell him this is to appear tomorrow
On the morning of the 7th of April,
1874, Mr.. Clay's letter appeared in the
National Intelligencer, and created al
most as much excitement as Judge
oarker's telegram to the Democratic
The convention met a Baltimore CT |
he LIST Of May, and the Hon. Watkins
leigh made a most eloquent speeCi.
II nominating Mr.. Clay for the Presi-
lency, and before he had finished his
speech the convention rose en- massc
and nominated Mr.. Clay by acclama-
ion.
Mr.. Van Buren, and Mr.. Clay We're
warm personal friends. Their opinion
III the annexation of Texas We're the
ame. and it was agreed between
hem. while Mr.. Van Buren, was on
'iSit to Mr.. Clay a t Ashland. that they
hOn!l each write a letter giving their
Jews in opposition TO the annexation
# Texas, which should appear in the
National Intelligencer and the Globe.
he organs of the two parties. At the
ime this agreement was made the
domination of Mr.. Van Buren, was re-
:arded as certain, but in consequence
f some political movements in tho
Democratic party, James X. Polk To-
eived the nomination.
The election of AIR. Clay was regard
q certain, but the publication of