The Rodney telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1838-1840, 1839-03-16
MR.. CLAY'S ANTEABOLlTlON
SPEECH.

We publish to-day, the noble attempt OF
Mr.. Clay to stem the torrent of fanaticism,
and to roll back the deadly flood of ultra
abolition effort. Although We are late in
giving this mastery speech to our readers,
lit having been received too late for publica-
ton in our last,) we are confident we could
rot fill our sheet with more acceptable
matter. 1t will be useful for reference; and
every Southerner should procure copy
printed in letters of gold, on some choice
material, to be preserved, as perpetual
memorial of a patriot statesman, struggling
in full view of probable political shipwreck,
TO secure the Interests and perpetuate the
liberties of his country. Every Mississip-
plan should preserve this speech of the
great American Orator, as shield and an
amulet against the poisoned arrows and
calling denunciations Of modern mis-called
phiIanthropists.
This speech is not more worthy of pre-
servation, for its mastery vindication Of the
domestic policy and political rights Of the
South, than for the manly candor and sound
philosophy with which the whole subject of
slavery and modern abolitionism is review
ed. We particularly rejoice in the lofty
spirit and glowing indignation with which
he denounces all interference with slavery,
either BY the citizens Of the non-slavehold-
ing States, or by the transatlantic ''plun-
derers of their own country, and the libel
lers Of foreign and kindred people"
We are with MIR. Clay in his own indi-
vidual opinions, upon the proper disposition
of Abolition petitions. We believe with
him, that although the subject of slavery is
one with which the people of the non-slave-
holding States have no concern; that al
though it is not legitimately the subject
either of petition or remonstrance on their
part, yet, that it VIC uld have been more
polite for Congress 10 have received and
considered such petitions; and, in digniti
ed, respectful, but positive manner, refused
to grant the prayer thereo1.
In saying this, we would not be under
stood as rejecting upon such of our South
ern members as have spoken and voted a
gainst receiving such petitions. On tn
contrary, We believe they have been actu
ated by the purest and noblest motives
Justly indignant at the shameful informed
ding of parties no way connected in inter
est with the question of slavery, smartin
under the unmerited calumnes with whic
their constituents are visited, and the libel
on the South with which these petitions ar
charged to overaowing, they naturally fel
inclined to spurn petitions and petitioners a
loathsome nuisance from the floor of tn
National Legislature. Those feelings an
this course ofpolicy were but natural-nay
they were highly honorable to the Souther
delegation. Nevertheless the policy was ir
iudicious. 1t served to enlist thousands {
anti-abolitionists beneath the bloody bannt
of the spoilers, under the fallacious belle
that the sacred right of petition-a rigl
guaranteed by the Constitution-had bee
trodden down by the influence of slave hol'
ers.l Thousands have enlisted in the or,
SADIE against Southern interests, under Il
delusive war cry of 'the right Of petition
who from their Utmost souls dsspise ar
contemn the brutal policy and destructi,
aims of the leaders of that fanatical hort
of Northern cut-throats, who seek to COW
the land with sorrow, and to bring the sta
of blood and the blight of desolation to o.
hearths and our FIRE sides.
We are sorry to see that some of the fe
presses in the interest of Harrison, are joi
ing with the loco focos, to arouse the indl
nation Of the fanatics against Mr.. Clay,
his course in this matter. Among the mt
rabid Of these unprincipled scribbIers,
the venerable editor Of the Cincinnati 9
xette. That veteran of the press, is proslf
at the rate Of about one column per dc