Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-07-31
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dresses you, Mr.. Editor, is a genuine son
ofthe South. He first drew breath, he
has always lived, and he expects to die in /
the South; his heart warns to her pine
clad hills as did that of Jenny Deans to
the Tartan, and he is thoroughly identie
fed with her interests and Institutions
No one more truly loves the land of Wash.
ington, and Henry and Lee, Of Marion
and Pinckney, and Rutledge. He claims
quite as great devotion to Southern in
terests as those who are most busy in de.
nouncing Henry Clay as an Abolitionist
and an enemy of the South. Those who
make these charges against Mr.. Clay, and
expect the Southern people to believe
them, show but little respect for their in
telligence or their candor. His friends
defy his most bitter opponents TO prove
that he has ever shown the least sympa-
thy with the pestileDt faction who have
been for several years engaged in throw
ing fre-brands into the South. His
course on the Missouri question, when he
stood forth as the advocate Of Southern
rights, the resolutions lately introduced by
him into the Senate, on the subject Of alb
clifton petitions, his speeches before Con-
gress, and before the Colonization Socie-
ty, his residence in a slave. holding State.
and being himself slave holder, all show
that he is no aboltionist. At the time that
the bill providing for the admission of Mis-
souri, into the union, was before Congress,
the following condition, among others, was
| proposed: GAIL children of slaves, born
within the said state after the admission
thereof into the union, shall be free, but
may be held to service until the age Of
twenty-five years; and the further introduc.
ton of slavery or involuntary servitude is
prohibited, except for the punishment o.
crimes, whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted. Here was a Gino field
for the display of abolition tendencies, but
on this occasion, we find that Henry Clay,
along with all the southern members, Tin.
hesitatingly declared that the constitution
had delegated to Congress no power what
ever. over the subject of slavery, that it
was question which belonged exclusive.
ly to the States within which it existed,
, and that the proposed requisition was al
together unconstitutional. At this, the
most critical period of our country's his
tory, since the formation Of the federal
constitution, with the exception, perhaps.
Of the Notification era in South Carolina
the Statesman Of Kentucky, supported By
his commanding influence, and with his
matchless eloquence, both the rights Of
Of the South and the integrity Of the U.
2 Mon. At the time,'it was universally &C.
D knowledged that he had been chiefly in.
strumental in settling that agitating ques.
ton, and preserving the union of the
States. Who would then have dared to
class Henry Clay, the great pacifcator,
with those reckless and wicked fanatics,
who seem bent on exciting a servile war,
and covering the fair fields and the beauti.
} full plains of the South with scenes of lust
and blood, and horror over which the arch
: fend himself might sicken? None would
then have dared to breathe the vile sian.
! der. Then every manly voice proclaim,
ed his praise; and every matron, and eve.
! ry blooming maid, from the Potomac to
E the Altamaha, invoked tile blessings o.
} Heaven upon his head. 1t isnot possible
that any Poop lie can so soon have forgot
! ten their friend and benefactor. Wa:
Henry Clay the enemy Of the South, wher
I in 1888, he introduced his bill for the ad
5 justment of the Tariff, and the prevention
of civil war between the Federal Go
! vernment and South Carolina? It MAJ
a be said that in this case, the magician on
! ly allayed the storm which he himself ha,
! raised, and that consequently he was en-
{ titled no credit fort. tits, however, Al
$ tundcubted truth, that a protective tarif
was originally a Southern measure, anc
/ that in 1916, John c. Calhoun stood sid
: by side with Henry Clay ia advocating It
{ It is not our object to defend Henry Clay
|. views with regard to the protection .
manufactures. We think that On TIL
i subject be erred: but if he did commit a
Is error, It was one for which he has mac
i unanimously atoned. Again, Il thsr
were the least doubt Of Mr.. Claws view
3 on the abolition question, no candid ina.
who will examine the resolutions introdu
ced By him into The Senate. can doubt q
i ny longer. In those resolutions he q
i pressly says that Congress has ho riqhtt
4 abolish slavery ether ii The District 81 q
p iunbia, or in the States. No souiheT
man cen reasonably demand any thin
laere Wouldbe 40 act e Sheer IFS
slee e publish hose resolutions s
ilel inthe South
IN. eessaIsI e enquire into 81. C