The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1843-09-05

From Speech delivered in the Wing Conven.
ton, held at Clayton, Alabama, by Rev. Mr..
CAPERs, and published at the request of The
Convention
81 have insinuated, sir, that The TEN.
pie OF Liberty has been shaken to lis very
base, by the genius of this thing called
Democracy. And who doubts II Who
has forgotten the scenes OF lS3l-2, when
] The sound of the battle drum was heard in
/ Carolina, her plans covered with the ar
+ mics of Andrew the Great, and her coasts
+ lined with his lIlgates-olwar. hat pat
1 lriot heart beal not with painful anxiety,
when the issue was suspended on an ap-
peal TO Congress The appeal was made
+, III was relected-the genius OF democra-
cy reIgneG within the temple OF liberty,
and instead OF an armstlce, the bloody
Force Bill was passed. The tocsin of
war resounded throughout the capitol and
| the aimies of the government were CON-
manded 10 bow ''lhe traitors or exter-
miuate them from the home Of their faith
ers. Sir, il was an eveBtiul hour, the old
Lion OF Democracy, bowling for the blood
Of freedoms SONS, and The Goddess OF LIB
erty weeping Ger the scene 1t was IN
deed an eyentful hour--one fell blow, and
conflict ensues which dissolves the Union
| aud spreads death and desolaton through
/. the land. In that eventtul moment, the
/ yisage of care.worn majestic BEING, APP
peared, on whose heart seemed to be sus-
pended the ponderous worth of Liberty
and the Union, when lol a voice as from
the ghost of Washington, exclaimed
save the Union twas purchased with
the tears and blood of your fathers j
Twas CLAY sir! that matchless states
man, Clay Bearing in one hand the olive
branch of peace, and in the other the
sword of truth and hberty-there he laid
: his Offering, and there, with that burning,
impassioned eloIuence congenal with his
. exalted nature--in the name of liberty,
and in the name of the blood stained spirits
J who purchased ii, he babe the daring sons
: of democracy sheath their swords and not
o wreak them 10 the blood of their brothers.
e His mandate was obeyed--the old Lion
: of Democracy crouched in his lair-peace
was restored and the Union saved.
> Mr.. President, my heart recurs TO the
scenes of that eventful hour with emotions
unntterable, and when it shall cease 10 beat
with the warmesi pulsations of moral APP
; probation for The matchless actor in that
great drama Of my courtry's liberty, let
me receive The execrations of nv country,
and the curse Of my country's God L
said it then, sir, aud | say it now, fearless
of contradiction, that such an instance of
the power Of mind over the daring pas
sens OF despotlsm, was never before ex-
hlbted 10 the world. The edict was pass
ed--ihe blood warrant signed--tbe old
Lion OF Democracy grasped it in his paw
but one stroke OF that overpowering elo-
: qnence, before which, Kings trembe and
nespots bow, made the Hero of New Or
leans quake on has throne, and restore to
the polluted altar of liberty, the blood
stained adlct which he had seized with
delight. | repeat il sir-such an instance
: Of the power of mind over the daring pas
slons of despotism had never before been
J exhibited TO the world. There was q
wreath of civic renown--a halo of immor-
} tai glory around the brow Of Henry Clay
; in that hour, which presented him IN bold
: relief, as the greatest orator, the pHrest
( patriot, and the most magnanmous states
man in the universe. Talk Of Calhoun,
5 sir, as the great Hercules of mind and
f, spirit great indeed are the powers of
4 Hercules, but great as Hercules is, the old
3 Lion of Democracy had him bound In
c cords of HEMP and whetting his bloody
, fangs, he was ready to tear the Herculean
+, giant into thousand atoms. Talk OF
!, Webster, as "the great master spirit OF
the age great indeed is Webster, but
f Webster was there sir, and great as Web
5 ster is, he had not the heart 10 approach
n the open Jaws and bloody fangs of the how
ling lion, and bid him stay his wrath
d Twas reserved for the noble, soul of Clay,
o to do the deed, and 1t was done.
r Mr.. President, ii no other deed than
IS that which has excited the admiration OF
,t an admiring world, had marked the pottl'
e cal career Of that ilustrious statesman, II
70 is enough TO place him first in the hearts
N and frst m the affections Of the Wings
re hut sir, his deeds of magnanlmity IN the
e. council halls Of his country-ln the cabi-
II net-at home and abroad as an ambassa-
ct dor of liberty, are engraved 10 the hearts
- of his countrymen, aud in the bosom OF his
country.
10 Mr.. President, it is lamentable fact,
n. that our government for the last IN years
IS. has been approaching despotic monar-
r. civ. Our rulers have dared under the
n, haIowed garb of democracy, to perpeirate
ve deeds in defiance of law, and contrary 10
We the expressed will of the people, which no
Cd crowned head in Europe could have DONE
re but at the risk of life. 1t is time Tor tue
Ii. people to rise in the majesty OF their fgn's
m, and arrest spirit which threatens TO Jeo-
= nardise all that is dear to the genius OF no.
We erty. have said sir, that the genius OF
as despotism which under the hallowed name
Of democracy, pervades our country org,
MS mated nt the seat of government; ana II
NJ. the incidents to which have referred, ao