Sunbury American And Shamokin Journal

The old adage, that a question is more easily asked than answered, comes home with full effect upon candidates for office. The candidates for the Presidency are constantly receiving letters of inquiry from different parts of the Union. Probably not more than one in a hundred is replied to. Some of Mr. Clay's political, but unthinking friends, recently addressed a letter to him, to ascertain his views on the subject of duelling. Mr. Clay replies in no very good humor, leaving his querists in as much doubt as they were in before they addressed him.

The following is an extract of his reply, and is as perfect a piece of non-committalism as ever emanated from the pen of Mr. Van Buren:

"I expressed in strong terms of condemnation, my opinion against duelling in a letter which I addressed to my constituents in March, 1824, which is to be found in the published collection of my speeches. Again, within a few years past, I gave evidence of my strong disapprobation of it, by voting, in the Senate of the United States, for the bill for suppressing duelling in the District of Columbia.

With these proofs of my sentiments, I think, gentlemen, you ought to be satisfied. But you ask me whether, if I were challenged to fight a duel, I would reject the invitation? Considering my age, which is now past 67, I feel that I should expose myself to ridicule if I were to proclaim whether I would or would not fight a duel. It is certainly one of the most unlikely events that can possibly be imagined, and I cannot conceive a case in which I should be provoked or tempted to go to the field of combat.

But, as I cannot foresee all the contingencies which may possibly arise, in the short remnant of my life, and for the reason which I have already stated, of avoiding any exposure of myself to ridicule, I cannot reconcile it to my sense of propriety to make a declaration one way or the other."