Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-11-03
SPEECH OF MR.. CLAY,
Ind occurrences The deiiVery Of an 7bohtion Pc
lion to him ut Richmond, Indiana.

lion to him al Richmond, indiana.
On the lstof October 1919. Mr.. Clay being on
his way from Dayton in Ohio, to Indianapolis,
the seat Of government Of the State Of Indiana,
to which he had been previously invited, stopt at
Richmond, hourishing town in that State, where
Il vast multitude amounting to Is or 10000 had
assembled to meet him, and greet and welcome
his arrival among them. After taking some re-
rcshment, he repaired to sta nd provided for the
| occasion, from which he addressed the Immense
assemblage in his accustomed manner on the pub
lie topics of the day. lis not intended to report
/ any partof that speech, which was received with
enthusiastic applause. After its close, Mr.. Clay
was informed that Mr.. Mendenhali was presen,
! and DESTROYS OF presenting petition 10 him, and
he was requested Tor that purpose to escend the
stand. He did so, and delivered the petition to
Mr.. Clay. lie handed il TO a friend, who read it
aloud To MIR. Clay and to the assembly. The Pc
tition prayed or requested that Mr.. Clay would
forthwith liberae all his slaves, uulustly, as it is
alleged, held in bondage, and placed the appli-
cation principally on the ground that by the dec
laration OF American Independence, it is declared
''that all men are created equal, that they are
lowed by their creator with certain unalienable
rights" &c.
After the reading Of the petition, the assembly
manifested grea, sensation, some cried out pull
him Mr.. Incidentally down, and high degree
OF excitement, of anger, and of indignation were
kindled against him. The slightest manifesto
uon Of dispeasure on the part of MIR. Clay, might
have exposed MIR. Mcndenhall 10 great personal
danger. But Mr. Clay with perfec, calm
ness and composnre, and first addressed the null
ttude In a strain of persuasion and entreaty.-
lie hoped that MIR. NJ. might be treated with the
greatest torbearance and respect. Measured his
fellow-citzcns there collected, that the presenta-
ton o: the petition had not occasioned him the
slightest pain, nor excited one solitary disaoreea-
BILE emotion. If it were to be presented to him,
he preferred that it should be done in the face OF
this vast and respectable assemhlage. lie
thought he could give 1t such answer as be-
cane him and the subject of which it treated
AT all events, he entreaed and beseeched his fell
citizens, for their sake, for his country's sake,
for his sake, to offer disrespect, no indgni,y
!. no violence, in word or deed, TO MIR. Nj.
This appearing TO compose the assembly, Mr..
, Clay bowed to Mr.. Mendcnhall, and addressing
him, said:
, will now, sir. make to yon and to this petit
ton, such response becomes me. Allow me
TO say that think you have not coniorned to the
Independent character Of an American citizen, in
, presenting petitinn 10 ! am like yourself
but private citizen. A petition, tho ier;n inn
plies, generally proceeds from inferior in pow
er, or station, 10 superior but between us, there
is entire equality. And wha. are The circumstan-
; ces under which sou have chosen TO offer il?
am tota! stranger, passing through your State
, on my way 10 lis Capitol, in consequence of an
invitation Nth which have been honored to Wis
OF my fellow-citizens of Indiana think proper
to meet me, and to accept of their hospitality. -
Anxious as am to see them, and TO view parts
oil this State which had never seen, came here
with hesitation and reluctance, because | appre
hended that the motives OF my journey might be
6 mlsconcclved and perverted. But when the ful
, fiiment of an old promise to visit indianapolis
was insisted upon; yielded to the solicitations
of friends and have presented myself among
you.
E Such IS the occasion which has been deliberate
, ly selected for rendering this petition to me.
am advanced years, aud neither my self nor til,
place of my residence is altogether unknown Il
. the world. You might at any time within thes
, last 20 or 80 years have presented your petition
. to me at Ashland. If you had gone there 70
4 that purpose, you should have been received am
= tre aed with perfect respect and liberal hospital
@ ~.
Now; Mr.. Mend eRhall vJot,.1,s geperxe cnudi
kentucky to partake of its hospitality; and that
previous TO your arrival, l had employed sucl
, means as understand have been used to cet II,
This petition, to obtain the signatures of citizens
OF that State 10 petition to present to Won IN re-
finIuish your farm or other property, what would
4 you have thought of such proceeding! Woul,
You have deemed it courteous and according to tn,
rites of hospitalitys
4 know well that you, and those who thinl
t with YOU controven the Legitimacy OF slavery
and deny the right of property in slaves Bu
. the law OF my State and other States has other
, wise ordained. The law may be wrong, in Won,
opinion, aud ought to be repealed but, Them Won
{ ana your associates are not the Lawmakers fn
2 us, and unless You can show some authority r.
: nuiliiy our laws, must continue to respect
, them. Until the law is repealed we must be OK
, cuscd for asserting the rights--aye the property
, IN slaves-which it sanctions, authorizes. and
! vindicates.
, Aud who arc tie petitioners whose ORGAN YOU
, assume to be! | have no doubt that many OF
. them are worthy, amable aud humane persons.
who, by erroneous representations. have been in
duced inconsideralely TO alfX their signature to
this petition, and that they will deeply regret il
r Others, and not few, am told, are free blacks
men, women and children, who have been ar,fulIy
deceived and imposed upon. very large Dor
+ ton, have been credibly informed are the poiti-
Cal opponents Of the party TO which ] belong
Democrats, as they most undeservedIy call them
selves, who nave eagerly seized this opportunity
TO wound, as they Imagined my feelings and to
aid Inc cause to which they are attached. In o.
ther quarters of the Union, Democrats claim 70 be
tic exclusive champions of the Southern interests
The only safe defenders Of the rights i'm slave pro-
! prrty, and unlustly accuse us Wings with abo-
ton designs. wholly Incompatible with its secu-
rity. What ought these distant Democrats 10
thInk of the Of their friends here who have
united in this petition?
And what is the foundation of this appeal 10
me I'm Indiana TO liberaie the slaves under INV
care In kentncky? 1t is general declaration. in
the act announcing TO the world the Independe nee
OF the 10 American Colonies, that all men are
( created equal. Now, as an abstract principIe
theTe is no doubt Of the truth Of that deciaraton
and 1t Is Geslroble in the original construction Of
SrO1