Hide Article Text (OCR)
The synopsis of the speech of this gentle man, delivered at Cleveland, will be read with interest. It takes the same view we have pre sented of Mr. Clay’s letters, and urges the same class of considerations we have urged in their defence. We think we may pro nounce the argument conclusive. It comes at least from a good quarter, and should be well considered by all disinterested minds.—Cin cinnati Gazette. He defined his position in regard to the great question of Slavery—said he would abide by the terms of the Constitution, but would not go one step beyond them—that he had long been battling against Slavery in Kentucky, and been derided, and insulted and assaulted by bullies with clubs and pistols who sought to take his life—that with reference to his great object, he had been a candidate in Fay ette county for the Legislature, and although opposed by men of all classes, by much of the wealth and talent and family influence of the people in and about Lexington, by the aid of Henry Clay, he was successful. He was op posed to the Annexation of Texas, for a vari ety of reasons—it was unconstitutional—it was impolitic—its tendencies were to perpet uate Slavery and Southern influence in the control of our Government, and there were no counter-balancing equivalents. He sup ported Henry Clay (who was no kinsman of his unless very remotely) for the Presidency, because he had ever been the friend of liberty —to all countries and to all men, without re gard to color or crime, when he believed the safety of a much greater number of the white population did not, under the existing circum stances, forbid it at the time—but he had ever favored all those propositions that in his opin ion tended to such ends—he was proscribed in Kentucky when a young man for his efforts in behalf of the cause of human rights, and he has been advocating them like a rational man ever since. When he (Mr. C. M. Clay) was a candidate for the Legislature, the contest wails in regard to his views of emancipation, and notwithstanding the tremendous excite ment of the canvass, greater than ever before ver since, and the prodigious weight of wealth, family influence, and everything else that could be arrayed against him and his cause, Urxay Chay sustained him in it and succeed ed. He did not agree entirely with Mr. Clay in his views as to annexation, for he did not think there was any constitutional power to make it under any circumstances, but it was a difference that amounted to nothing practical ly. He had carefully scanned the three let ters of Mr. Clay, including that printed and distributed by thousands about the city this morning, by the Democracy, who all favored the plan, he believed, and he found that Mr Clay imposed such restrictions upon annexa tion, that it would necessarily result in defeat ing it. Tie would not agree to it, unless it could be done “without dishonor, without war, with the common consent of the Union, and gust and fair terms.” In his Raleigh letter he said he would not consent to do it while any considerable section of the Union opposed it. Who believed that under such conditions an nexation would ever take place. Mexico has said she would resist it as long as she could man a gun. ‘Texas owes a large debt, and her valuable lands are all gone. ‘There could be no fair terms in this view and what others Mr. Clay would impose, he knew not. All the North and North-West and much of the Centre would oppose it, and these constituted certainly “a considerable section of the Union.” If all ob jections were out of the way, Mr. Clay would be glad to see annexation, but it was owing to his universal philanthropy. He believed that men were competent to govern them selves, and that our form of Government was the best men could have, and conferred upon them the greatest measure of happiness. He does not think the question of slavery should affect the question of annexation, as slavery is inevitably to become extinct, but I think it does effect it and there we differ. But be ultra, Abolitionists complain of this opinion, because they profess to think, that annexation will hasten its downfall. If, however, I can get the substance I care not about differences in form or theory. If Mr. Clay is elected there will be no annexation now, and before it could be brought about after his term, we will get public opinion at the South corrected. If Mr. Polk be elected we shall have annexation in less than twelve months, with it, dishonor and war and ruin, as I fear. Mr. Clay says “he should be governed by the paramount duty of preserving this Union entire and in harmony,” and this would be a trifling obstacle in the way of Mr. Polk—or if with him, it would so be with many of his Southern friends. I am a practical Abolitionist—the destruc tion of the whole system of Slavery is what I seek above everything else, and because I think it would advance the interest and happi ness of both races, saying nothing of much higher considerations to which I have referred. With this object before me, I earnestly advo cate the election of Mr. Clay as an instrument for the accomplishment of that great purpose, not that he agrees with me in every particu lar, but he does in substance, and because the policy he advocates in the administration of the government, as the only one under which the people of this great country can be TOS porous and happy. With his success I believe our glorious Union may be pases and for many generations I hope, if defeated, I fear,I deeply fear, the consequences may be destruc tion and at a very early day, and how absurd is it for those men who agree with me on the Abolition question to oppose him. Do the not know that the Southern Slavery men loo for success if they succeed at all, to the indi rect aid they get from the Abolitionists of the North and West, by their diverting votes e nough from the Whig ticket to secure the election of the Polk ticket? The extremes of Slavery men and of anti-Slavery men thus combine, but with very different motives, in the attainment of the same object, a most un holy alliance it is, if alliance it may be called. We do not pretend to give the precise words of Mr. Clay, but he said the above in substance, and many other things which we should be glad to report. Great attention was paid him throughout, and his speech made a decided impression.
Newspaper Details
Centerville Wayne County Record
Centerville, Indiana, US
Wed, Sep 18, 1844
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 04 Feb 2026
Other Publications Near Centerville, Indiana
Centerville Western Emporium
Centerville Western Times
Centerville Indiana True Republican
Centerville Indiana True Democrat
Centerville Wayne County Record
