New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1842-10-21
BY THIS MORNINGS MAIL.
SPEECH OF MR. CLAY.

the circumstances attending its delivery reas-
ers are already acquainted. While Mr.. CLAY was
addressing the assembled multitude on political
topics. Mr. MEsDEsHALL assembled the stand
and presented petition to Mr.. CLAY, which was
read aloud requesting him forthwith to liberate al!
his slaves.
Aler the reading of the petition the assembly manifested
great sensation, cried pull him tMr. Mendenhal
down. and high degree of excitement OF anger. and OF In
dignaiion knded against him. The slightest mani
festaon OF dispeaure hs part OF Mr. Clay might have
exposed Mr.. Mendenha 10 great personal danger. But
Mr.. Clay with perfect camness and comPosure, and
first addressed the multitude in strain OF persuasion and
He hoped that Mr. NJ might be treated with the
greatest orbearance and respect He assured his fellow
citizens there collected that the presentation Of The petition
had occaSoned him The sghtes, pain, excited
solitary disagreeabe emotion lit 20 be presented
to him. he preferred that should be the face ST this
and respectable assemhlage He thought he could give
il such became hiS and the subject OF which
il treated. At all events he entreated asd besought his
fellow czea for their sake. for his country'i sake, fer his
sake, efer disrespec, indgnty. violence in
word OF deed, TO Mr. Mendenhal.
This appearing compose The assembly Mr. Clay bow ed
to Mr.. Menden TALL, and addressing him said
will now, sir make TO you aud to this petition such
response as becomes me. Allow say that think you
have conformed 10 the independent character OF an
American Citizen, in presenting petition TO me am,
like Yourself bnt private citizen A petition. the term
| implies generally proceeds from inferior il power or
station superor but between there entire equal
ty. And what the circumstances under which you
have chosen offer IL l total stranger. passing
through your State way capitol IN consequence
OF invita- ton with which have been hnnored 10 visit it
exchange saluations with such OF ms friends OF Indiana
as think proper and 10 accept OF their hospital
ty. Anxious them, and view parts OF this
State which had seen, came here with reluctance,
because apprehended that the motives of my journey
mi ht be miSconceived and perverted But when the full
dlment of old promise visit Indianapolis insisted
upon yielded the solicitations of reHds and have pre-
| sented myself among YOU
Such the occasion which been deliberately seeced
for rendering this petition 10 am advanced In years,
and neither myself the place of my residence is alto
| gelher unknown TO the world. You might al any time
within these last 25 so years have presented your petition
to me at Ashland you had gone there for that purpose
should have been received and treated with perfect
| spect and liberal hospitality.
Now, Mr.. Merdenha let US reverse conditions and sup
pose that had been invited Kentucky TO parlaks o.
M hospitality and that, previous your arrival had en-
ployed such understand have been used TO get
up this petition obtain the signatures Of citizens OF that
State to petition. present you to renquish your
such proceeding Would you have deemed it courteous
| and according TO the rites OF hospitality
farm or other properly, what would you have thought OF
know well that you, and those whohink with you con
rovert the legitimacy OF slavery and deny the right of pro-
perry slaves Blu the law OF my State and other States
has otherwise ordained. The law may be wrong in your
opinion and ought 10 be repeaed but them you and your
associates the law makers for and unless you
| show authority TO nullity laws, must
nue respect them Until the law is repealed,
be excused for asserting the ugh-aye tue property in
saves-whch it sanctions, authorizes, and vindicates.
And vhJ the petitioners whose organ you
he! have doubt that of them worthy, amia
bic and humane persons who by
have been induced nconsderatey ax their signatures
|
and not few, am lold free blacks and
children, who have been arfuly deceived and imposed
npon very large portion have been credbly informed,
are the political opponents of the party to which belong
Democrats, they most undeservedy call themselves, who
have eagerly sazcd THIS Opportunity 10 wound as they ina
gineG my feelings and to aid the which they
attached In olher quarters fte Union Democrats claim
be the exclusive champions of Southern interests the only
safe defenders OF the rights in slave property and urusty
accuse Us Wings with Abolition designs wholly incompail-
BILE with its ecvrity What ought these distant Democrats
think Of the of their friends here who have united
| in this petition?
hat the foundation Of this appeal TO me in In
diana 5erate the slaves under my in Kentucky!
|, general declaraton in the act announcing to the
world the Independence OF the thirteen American Colonies,
that all created equal Now as an abstract prncl-
ple there doubt The truth OF that declarations ana
desirab in the ginal construction OF Society," and IN
organized Societies. keep in view great undamen-
al principle. But, ,hen apprehend that in Society
that did exist shall be formed, the
equality asserted among the members OF the human race be
practically enforced and carried There portions
of it, &c portions, women, miners, insane, cupt
slant soourners, that wl always probably remain subject
TO the government OF another portion OF the community
That declaration whatever may be the extent of its I'M
port made by the delegations OF thr thirteen States
In of them slavery existed and had long existed and
established by law. TWAS introduced and forced upon
the Colonies by the paramount law OF England Do you
believe, that making that declaration the States that
csncurred in intended that it should be tortured into
virtual emancipation of all The slaves within their respect
i've limits: Would Virginia and the other Southern
have united declaration which 10 be interpret
ed into abolition OF slavery among Them Did any
oil the thirteen States entertain such design e1psca-
| ton! To mpute such secret and unayowed purpose
would be charge political fraud upon the noblest band
of patriots that assembled courc-a fraud upon the
ceuederacy OF the Revolutions fraud upon the Union OF
these States whose Constitution only recognized the
lawulness of slavery but permitted the importation OF
slaves iIon Africa until the ear 1903. And bold
that, the doctrines OF modern ultra political abolition
ISIS had been seriously promulgated the epoch OF our
Revolution glorious Independence would have
| been achieved. Never!-never [Great applause AMI
| many voices echopg Never"
know the predominant sentiment the free States
| adverse 10 slavery but happy in their exemption,
from whatever evils may attend il, The great of
teo~cizens there do seek violate the Constitution
disturb the harmony ot these States. desire
cealmen OF my opinions in regard the Institution OF
slavery look upon great evil, and deeply lament
that have parental government AID
wish every slave in The United States
in the country OF his Ancestors But here they
and the question is how they be best dealt with Ii
nature existed, and about 10 lay the
icusdaons OF society, ould be strongly op-
losed than should be 10 incorporate the institution ci
slavery among its elements. But there is ncacuabe
difference between The original lorna ton ei society, and
loug existing organized society," with ancient laws,
| tuons and establishments.
Now great as acknowledge in my opinion the evils of