The Lancaster Gazette

"Bargain and Sale."

Our readers will remember that Gen: Leslie Coombs, in his speech, in the Court House in this place, during the last campaign, declared that Gen. Cass had written a letter to Mr. Clay, in which he congratulated him upon the able and triumphant vindication of himself, in his address to his constituents, from the false and malicious charges of his enemies. That letter, now the campaign is over, has been given up to "Independent," the Washington correspondent of the North American for publication. Here it is:

Detroit, April 14, 1825.

"Dear Sir: I have just finished the perusal of your masterly address to your late constituents, and I cannot refrain from expressing to you the high satisfaction it has afforded me. It is a triumphant refutation of the vile slanders which have been propagated respecting the motives of your conduct in the peculiar circumstances in which you were recently placed. You may safely commit your character to the judgment of your countrymen and of posterity. They will not fail to award you full justice.

"I must ask your indulgence for this almost involuntary tribute to your claims and services. So strong is the impression which your appeal has made upon me, that I could not restrain this expression of my feelings.

"With warm regard, I am, dear sir, sincerely yours.

LEW. CASS.

"Hon. H. CLAY."

The letter, it will be seen, was written soon after Mr. Clay had made his address. We have nothing to say, at this time, of the motives which influenced the writer. Old Democrats and Whigs well remember how each campaign since that time has been marked with charges, foul and false, against the character and fame of Mr. Clay. How the hired editors of the Locofoco party have slandered and vilified him. Yet amid all this, he awaited calmly the judgment of posterity, and who dare say now that the truth of history will not fully vindicate him?

Those of our democratic friends, who denied that Gen. Cass ever wrote such a letter, can now see it for themselves. Not one of the old men of that party can lay his hand upon his heart and say—"I have not done Mr. Clay rank injustice."—Yet how few there are, who will come out, like men, and say—"I have been deceived by my party leaders; I will though late, even now do Mr. Clay justice.'"

But such men have sinned through ignorance. We do not say that they are guiltless. They blindly placed confidence in the miserable and corrupt leaders of their party, and, assisted them in slandering one of the best men of the country.

But what shall we say of the leaders themselves—the foul-mouthed propagators of infamous slanders—the wilful defamers of the patriots of the country—men, who under the garb of an honest democracy, mislead the men of the country and abuse their confidence? Such men talk about "traitors" and "treason!" They could not be traitors without pretending to be patriots; they could not be dishonest without pretending to be honest; they could not, by any possible means, act as they think, for deceit and treachery have full possession and entire control of their hearts.

Posterity, too, will do them justice.