Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1842-11-05
A BRILLIANT EFFORT.

"A DhlIIbJHS 4 IL
I, has been generally noticed in the papers,
that Mr.. Clay recently visited certain sections
of Indiana. While in that state, he attended
n nublic meeting of some $4,000 TO 10000
citizens, at Richmond, and gave a political
address. immediately after his speech, Mr..
Clay was informed by one of his friends on
the rostrum, that a gentleman among the
crowd had a petition to present him. Mr.
Clay said, invite lin up. The gentleman
(Mr. Incidentally, appeared and presented
the paper te Mr.. Clay, who passed tito a friend
TO read. 1t was read in the hearing of the
multitude, who evinced no gentle emotions
at its csntents--it being nothing else
than a petition from some abolitionlstS,
setting forth the appalling iniqnities OF
the slave system, and praying Mr.. Clay 10 lib
| crate. ftasfauter, all his slaves. The people
present were greatly incensed at The manner
! as well as matter of the document, and were
about to use Mr. Mendenhall violently, when
Mr.. CLAW rose and addressed them for a few
minutes in n very mild strain, in favor OF or
! QtT anu lDiElutlpH. - Ati1h - - 49, 49,
and gave him the following brilliant specimen
of talking. We publish it by request; but
knew ofsnothing more interesting that could
supply its place. The feelings Of Mr.. M. at
the close of such an address, under such cir
| cumstances, could not have been cnviable.
will now, Sir, make TO you and to this pc
| ,ition, such a response as becomes me. Al
low me to say that | think you have not con-
formed 10 the independent character OF an
American citizen, in presenting a petition to
me. am like yourself, but a private citizen.
A petition, as the term implies, generally pro-
| ceeds from an inferior in power, or station, to
d superior but between us there is entire
| equality. And what are the circumstances
under which you have chosen to offer il?
am a total stranger passing through your
Safe, on my way to its capital, in consequence
Of an invitation with which | have been hon.,
ored TO visit it, to exchange friendly saluiations
with such of my fellow-citizens of Indiana as
think proper to meet me, and TO accept OF
their hospitality. Anxious as | am 10 see
them, and TO view parts of this State which |
had never seen, | came here with hesitation
andreluctance, because Unprecedented that the
motives of lay journey might be misconceiv-
ed and perverted. But when the fultillment
of an old promise TO visit Indianapolis was in
sisted upon, I yielded to the solicitations of
friends and have presented myself among
ysu.
Such is the occasion which has been DELHI
eratety selected for rendering this petition to
me. | am advanced in years, and neither N.Y.
self ncr the place of my residence is altogether
unknown TO the world. You might, at any
-. =. - - Ia o. ~. IN ,~n.- l,--
presented your petition 10 me at Ashland. If
YOU had gonethere for that purpose, you Should
have been received and treated with perfect
respect and liberal hospitality.
Now, Mr.. Mendenhall, let us reverse con-
ditions, and suppose that you had been invited
to- Kentucky to partake Of its hospitality and
that, previous to your arrival, I had employed
such means as | understand have been used
to get up this petition, to obtain the signatures
of citizens Of that State 10 a petition, to pre-
sent to you, to relinquish your farm or ether
property; what would you have thought of
such a proceeding! Would you have DEEM
ed it courteous and according to the rites of
hospitality?
know well that you, and those who think
with you, centrovert the legitimacy of slavery,
and deny the right of property in slaves.
But the law of my State and other States
has otherwise ordained. The law may be
wrong, in your opinion, and ought 10 be re-
peaied but, then you and your associates are
not the law makers for us, and unless you
can show some authority TO nulliiy our laws,
we must continue to respect them. Until
the law is repealed, we must be excused for
asserting the rights-aye, the properly in
slaves-whrsh it sanctions, authorizes, and
vindicates.
And who are the petitioners whose organ
you assume 10 be? ] have no doubt that
many Of them are worthy, aniable and hu-
name persons who, by erroneous representa-
: tons, have been induced incensiderasely to
affix their signatures to this petition, and that
they will deeply regret it. Others, and net
a few, | am told, are free blacks, men, won en-,
and children who have been artiuiiy deceived
! and imposed upon. A very large portion, !
have been credibiy informed, are the Political
opponents OF the party to which | belong
Democrats. as they most undeservediy call
themselves, who have eagerly seized this OPP
nortunIty 10 wound, as they imagined, my
feallngs, and 10 aid the cause 10 which they
arc attached. IN other quarters ofthe Union,
democrats claim to be The exclusive chanpI-
ens of Southern interests, the only safe de-
tenders of rights in slave property, and unjust
" accuse us Wings with abolition designs,
wholly incompatible with It's security. What
ought these distant democrats TO think of the
course of their friends here, who have united
in this petition?
Aaa what is the foundation of this appeal
to me in Indiana to liherate the slaves under
my care in Kentucky! 1t is a general decIar-
atien, in the act announcing to the worid the
Independence of the thirteen American Cello
MES, that all men are created equal. Nov,
as an abstract principle, there is re doubt OF
the truth of that declaration aud it is desi-
rable in the original construction of Society,
and in organized Societies, TO keepit in view
as a great fundamental principle. But. then,
! apprehend that in no Society that ever did
exist. or ever shall be formed, was or can
the equality asserted amsng the members Of
the humaa race, be practically enforced and
carried oat. There are ~psrlisns, women, mi
nsrs, insane, culprits. trancient sojourners,
that will always probably remain subject to the
government of another portion of the commu-
nifty.
That declaration, whatever may be the ex-
tent of IT'S import. was made by the de.ega-
tions of the thirteen States. In most of them
slavery existed, and had long existed, and
was established by law. 1t was introduced
and forced upon the Colen.-s by the para
mount law Of England. Do you believe. that
in making that declaration, the States that