The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-07

should cast StlSmd on tndu3 ~ lhuS' III
admitted that slavery of itself is wrong
This the writer admits. The question, then
seems to be, is Henry Clay in favor Of
slavery?
have but small portion Of the evidence
before me now, that have seen, going to
show that, after all Mr.. Clay's professions
of hatred TO slavery, he is still more in favor
of it, than against it. ] will present the
following from Theodore D.Weld:
When the bill for the admission o.
Michigan into the Union was under con-
sideration in the United States Senate, Mr..
Clay gave a specimen of colonization
benevoence towards free coIored citizens,
by making a motion to deprive them oil
the right to vote on the question OF It's
acceptance by the people.-See Senate
Journal.
His great personal and official infu-
ence, when Speaker of the United States
House of Representatives, secured the ad-
mission of Missouri into the Union, as a
slave State.
He gave his casting VOTE February 10,
1919, in favor Of perpetual slavery in Ar.
kansas, at a time when that Territory was
almost entirely uniahabited thus strug-
Cling for the widest possible extension of
legaized crime.
He first proposed the annexation of
Texas, by motion to that effect, April
8, 1920.
He has earnestly commended against the
abolition of slavery in the District of Co.
lum5ia, or in "any Territory of the Unit
ed States" and introduced resolutions into
the United States Senate, denouncing
"the Interference of the citizens of any of
the Safes" to effect either of these objects
See his resolutions, passed May 10, 1888.
| He zeaousIy opposed the calling OF a
convention in Kentucky, measure qoith-
ont which The abolition Of slavery By LAM,
CAN NOT TAKE PLACE IN THAT STATE.
George w. Messenger, who is associate
editor of the Louisville Journal, the lead
ing Clay paper at the West, in letter
dated July 6, 1888, says: at is well
known here that Mr.. Clay is warmly
opposed to a convention. While the Com
vention law was nnder discussion, letters
were received from him, demonstrating
against the passage of the law"
In Mr.. Clay's speech delivered in the
Senate of the United States, February Z,
1889, if he has been reported right, used
language as follows:
IL know there is visionary dogma
which holds that negro slaves can not be
the subjects of property. l shall not
dwell long upon this speculative abstrac
ton. That Is property which the law
declares to be properly. Two hundred
years have sanctioned and sanctiied negro
slaves as property"
| "If had been a citizen of Pennsvlva-
MIA when Frankin's plan (of gradual
emancipation) was adopted, | should have
voted for it; because, by no possibility
could the black race ever gain the ascen-
dency in that State. But If | had been
then, or were now a citizen of any Of the
planting States the southern or south
western States Il shOuM hare opposed,
and would continue to oppose any scheme
e0hateoer Of emancipation, gradual or
Immediate"
cit is NOT TRUE, and | REJOICE
that It is NOT TRUE, that either of the two
great parties in this country has any DE-
SIGN or AIM at ABOLITION. | should
DEEPLY LAMENT if it were true"
In addition to the foregoing, will say,
according to accounts have seen, and have
not seen them contradicted, Mr.. Clay has
| been practical STAKEHOLDER for more than
forty years, while no law in Kentucky for
bids his emancipating his slaves. Accord
ing to the Constitution of that State, slave
ry can not be abolished by law, without the
consent of the Shareholders. But il does
not prevent the holders from releasing their
! bondmen. Last year, Convention was to
be held in Indiana, and an invitation sent
to Mr. Clay TO give an address. Some two
two thousand individuals signed petition,
asking Mr. Clay to give freedom to those
he held in bondage. The presenting of
this petition seemed to devove on Mr. Men
denhall. He sought an opportunity Of pre-
senting it to Mr.. Clay before he should take
the stand, but was assured by Mr.. Clay's
friends that he would prefer receiving it in
the presence of the multitude. 1t was ac-
cordingH presented in that way, and Mr..
Clay replied in substance, that he was
opposed to slavery (D-that he bad one
proposition to make TO Mr.. Mendenhal, and
through him TO his associates. 1t was this
he held about fifty slaves, of the aggregate
value of about fifteen thousand dollars. If Mr..
Mendenhall, and those who signed the petit
ton, would raise this sum of $4,000, or
| :. r a. al.