Cincinnati, Nov. 26, 1846.
My Dear Sir: I
promised Mr. Vaughan, sometime ago, to write you in reference to the True
American, but have been prevented by various circumstances from fulfilling the
promise. I have little leisure now, but possibly a few words may be offered.
You are aware, doubtless, of all the circumstances relating
to C. M. Clay’s1 connection with the paper. I was well aware of that
gentleman's aversion to editorial duty, and the last letter I rec'd from him
before he left Louisville with his Company advised me that he should not continue
the paper under his own charge any longer than was absolutely necessary. I had,
however, no idea that its publication would be abandoned during his absence, or
that he had given a discretionary power over the very existence of the paper to
Brutus I. Clay, his brother, an open and avowed enemy of the movement and
anxious to disengage his brother C. M. from what he (B. I.) deemed a false
position. I am not yet willing to believe that Mr. C. M. Clay, in giving a
general power of attorney to Brutus to act for him in all his affairs
(including of course the paper) had any expectation that the American would be
discontinued during his absence. He made an engagement with Mr. Vaughan2
to edit it; he accepted with expressions of gratitude my own offer of assistance,
which assistance, however, I am bound to say Mr. Vaughan's superior ability and
tact rendered totally unnecessary; and, I feel very sure that at the time of
his last letter to me he relied on the American as a powerful and indispensable
auxiliary to the great effort which he designed to make on behalf of
emancipation immediately after his return. Whether he afterward changed his
purpose or not I am unable to say. I will not believe that he did except upon
evidence. I am unwilling to condemn a man who has acted nobly, until I see
proofs of absolute and total dereliction.
However, the paper by the act of B. I. Clay is discontinued.
But the friends of Freedom in Kentucky are determined that it shall not stay
discontinued. They have organized in Louisville and elsewhere, and have
resolved that the paper shall go on under the charge of Mr. Vaughan, provided
the necessary assistance can be had. To see whether this assistance can be had
Mr. Vaughan has this day started for the east. I beg leave to commend him and
his object to your kindest consideration. Mr. V — is a South Carolinian, and
might, had he been willing to identify himself with the Nullifiers, have
occupied almost any position in his native State. His principles forbade this,
and he afterwards removed to this city. Almost from his first arrival his
sentiments on the subject of Slavery have been advancing, until he now stands
on the same or nearly the same platform which you occupy. I feel sure that no
man fitter for the time and place can be found. As to the importance of
the paper, it cannot well be overestimated. There is a vast amount of
antislavery sentiment in the Slave States, which requires to be fostered and
developed. All the hill country is favorable, except so far as mere prejudice
prevents, to Freedom. The paper has a very good circulation in the Slave
States. It is the link between the Antislavery sentiment of the North and
South. It cannot be lost without great detriment to the cause both North and
South. I trust, therefore, Mr. Vaughan's efforts will be liberally rewarded by
the enlightened Friends of Humanity, Freedom, and Advancement in the East.
I do not often solicit such a favor, but may I beg a copy of
your Phi Beta Kappa address? I believe I have heretofore thanked you for your
4th July Oration on the True Grandeur of Nations, and expressed the
admiration with which its perusal inspired me — an admiration shared, I
believe, by all readers of the document except the devotees of Conservatism,
falsely so called.
Why can not the Friends of Freedom stand together? Why exact
from me, a Democrat, addresses to the Whigs, or from you, a Whig, addresses to
the Democrats? Is not the question of Freedom paramount, and is it not great
enough in itself and its connexions for a party to stand on, without dividing
addresses?
I pray you to pardon the liberty I have taken in writing
this to one to whom I am almost wholly unknown, and believe me, With very great
respect,
Yours truly,
[Salmon P. Chase]
_______________
* All the letters from Chase to Sumner are from the
Pierce-Sumner Papers in the library of Harvard University.
1 The wellknown Cassias Marcellus Clay.
2 John C. Vaughan, cf. Wilson's Slave Power, II,
143-144, 510, and Pierce's Sumner, III, 165.
SOURCE: Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 111
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