The National Era

LETTER FROM CASSIUS M. CLAY.

White Hall P. O.,

Madison Co., Ky., July 5, 1852.

My Dear Sir: My name has been by some friends suggested as a candidate for President and by more for Vice President of the United States, on the Free Democratic ticket. Allow me to say that I have, in all my conversations and letters, discouraged any such procedure. I now decline altogether having my name used in the Pittsburgh Convention. In doing so, I do not fail to appreciate the very distinguished honor which, were I successful in such nomination, would be conferred upon me—as much more honorable than a Whig and Democratic nomination would be, as Freedom is more glorious than Slavery. Neither am I influenced by the prospect of temporary defeat; for it is in my view far more honorable to deserve success than to win it! But I, though an old soldier in the cause of American Republicanism, am a new comer in the Free Democratic organization; and I deem it but just that the compliment of standard-bearer should be conferred upon those whose advanced age will not allow them to reap any of the fruits of their labors in the achievement of victory and power. I think the chances are in favor of my living to see both! I have yet faith that the declarations of '76 are not only true, but destined to accomplishment; that not in vain were the aspirations of those great-hearted patriots, who died that we might be free; that these events which have illustrated the last half century are not to be dimmed by confirmed despotism; that it can hardly be that the mission of America is to hunt down a fugitive slave! Over the skies of my vision no such clouds of despair lower! My spirit is not marred in all its possible happiness by any such event! This, not only the eternal course of Destiny declares, but the late Conventions at Baltimore attest! Liberty, after all, is not so low in the reverence of its blasphemers, when upon the shrine of her propitiation is poured out the blood of a Cass, a Buchanan, a Fillmore, and a Webster! No; our cause is one upon which the ideal builds the heaven of its happiness, and the practical rests its great development—the cause of Humanity and of God! The Free Democracy must at last and soon control the destinies of this Republic. Sacred be the memory of our fathers! Their principles shall be vindicated, their avowals made good; the devil of our great woe shall be cast out; Slavery shall perish! True Republicanism shall be established—America shall be free! Our alliance with foreign despotisms shall be dissolved; the great pressure of our apostasy shall be lifted off from the crushed hearts of the Democracy everywhere; we shall be not only the hope but the help of the nations, till their destiny be accomplished! A soldier, then, in the ranks, the nominees of the Pittsburgh Convention shall receive my unreserved support. I shall not dishonor myself by associating with parties who despise me, or vindicate political creeds which in the same breath I denounce! "Can't or can be elected," never was and never shall be in my political vocabulary! I ask myself, "Am I right?" And ever, amid the thunders of the battle, my war cry shall be, "Don't give up the ship!"

I have the honor to be your friend and obedient servant,

C. M. CLAY.

G. Bailey, Esq.