The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1844-08-28
LETTER FROM CASSIUS M. CLAY

LETTER FROM CASSIUS NJ. CLAY.
CAssIUs M. CLAY has had great many
pressing invitations to visit New-York and
address Mass Meetings on the question of
the day. He responds to Col. J. J. Speed of
Ithaca, as follows:
LEXINGTON, KY July 10, 1S43.
DEAR SRI have received your letter of
the I'd inst, inviting me TO your State this
Summer. | am sensible of the high COM
pliment which you pay me; and would
gladly comply with your wishes, ifpubhc and
private duties did not call me elsewhere.
In the mean time am not idle, and my cor
respondence with both Wings and Liberty
men is extensive. / confess that my interest
in the cause of the Wings is founded on the
suppostion that they willact up in good faith
to their profession. If Whiggery means
any thing it means opposition to tyranny-all
tyranny. If it is dear to me at all, it is be-
cause it promotes the great principles of
equality and individual prosperity which can
only result from real publicanism. / regard
no aristocracy in Europe so coercive and
anti-repubicon as Southern slaveholding.
The North is equally implicated in this
tyranny over master as well as slaves. The
Wings must come up to this high ground,
or fall, and their fall will not be regretted by
coming generations. If you cennot have
my services, you can have those of a greater.
SEWARD is a name New York may well be
proud of; call him into the field. Such
man leading the Wings must triumph. To
succeed when such man is not fit leader
brings no success at which a lover of the
principles of '76 can rejoice: Let the Wings
of the North put the battle on its true basis
and fight it bravely-on one side, Polk, SLare-
ry, and IcraS; on the other, Clay, Union,
and Liberty. If we cannot beat on
such issues then lei us fall, and in our fall
we will be remembered by the good forever.
Can it be possible that while Mr.. Clay shall
loose some three or four Slave States which
were sure to him before, by opposing Texas,
that there is not sufficient spirit Of freedom,
honor and good faith in the North TO carry
those large States where his success was be-
fore doubtful? Mr.. Clay and his friends
have taken high and holy ground. Wemust
raise the war cry, soul-stirring as the great
question at issue are expansive, and lasting
in their consequences for good or evil. With
Folks election Texas comes in; with Texas
the North and South are inevitably split, and
away goes the fruits to us here at least of the
American Revolution.
1t is in vain to put of the evil day; it is at
hand now. Slavery or Liberty is to be de-
terminated in some sort this coming Election
not the liberty ofthe black only, but of the
white also, do not mean to say that Mr..
Clay is an emancipationist-but believe his
feelings are with the cause. | know that
those most Immediately within his influence
approximate TO myself in sentiment upon tie
subject of slavery. The great mass of Wings
are or ought TO be anti-slavery.-If so, then
you have no need ofme; but if principles
give strength, then strengthen yourselves, for
claim nothing above the humblest Of my
Wing friends in ability. If ardent and SIM
cere zeal in the cause Of my Country's high
est and best interests, have given me any
consideration, 20 you and do likewise, and
your success will be equal.
The great questions of the age in all coun-
tries is Slavery and Liberty. The American
Declaration of Rights has leavened the
world-the waves first STATED in the old hall
in Philadelphia in '76 have encompassed the
wor d, and are now returning with accumu-
lated power 10 the centre where they started.
Slavery must fall. Whether we give it up
or 90 down with it, remains with ourselves.
The fault is not in our stais but in ourselves
that we are underlings." Ii begins TO be an
effort in Europe to treat Americans with
civilty. Let us take care to retire from
Chris tendom,o or yindicate cur title to respect.
Ten years have lobored silently and eau
tiousiy in this cause-forsaken by the Wings,
have stood by them in good and evil report.
cling to them yet. implore them 10 come
up to the standard made by Washington and
his oble compeers. Save us from disgrace
and ruin-elevate us among nations TO that
post of honor which we once held, and from
which Slavery and Repudiation-twin broth,
ers-have dragged US down.-Let God and
Liberty be once more our battle cry-and at
last Freedom. Union, and Equality may be
ours forever. -
Yours, in the cause of the Union and Lib
ertv. C. NJ. CLAY.