Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-07-18
CLAY AND SLAVERY.

While the newborn zeal of the members
of the libe'ty party'~and the affected honesty
of their allies, the Locolococs, render them
incapable of seeing the least consistency in
the course pursued by large portion of
the Wing Aboitionists IN supporting MIR.
Clay for the Presidency; and charge him
with being in favor of perpe,uating the sys.
TEN of Savery,--we beg to lay before them
the following evidence Of his action upon
this subject, long betore the ardent philan-
thropy OF modern AJolitionism had an OK.
istance,
The following is an extract from the hi.
ogrnphy of Henry Clay published in 1890
in the heart of Slave State and under the
eyes of Mr. Clays Slave holding friends
Alter speaking of the effects of Mr.. c. in
1897 to exclude slavery from Kentucky
the author uses the following language
"Thc struggle was fierce one; but the
advocate, of Slavery prevailed, and the
young champion ofliberty and equal rights,
who had made the aristocrats of the land
tremble for their ancient prerogatiyes, be-
came unpopular on account of the part he
acted. The true principles of Slavery were
not then understood. The idea of emanci-
patton was new 1t alarmed the preiudices
of the multitude and Mr.. Clay's powerful
vindications OF it, were regarded by many,
rather as the brilliant but hayward efforts
ola young votary of ambition, striving to
attract attention by the startling and paradox
ical character of his opinions, than as the
result ola calm and deliberate conviction of
right. This was unques,ionably mistake.
His sincerity in opposing negro servitude
was manifested from every act of his life
from his professional, no less than from his
political exerlons. Whenever a slave
brought an action at law for his liberty, Mr.
Clay volunteered as his advocate and, il is
said, that in the whole coulse of his prac-
tice, he never failed 10 obtain a decision in
the slaves favor.
"a passion for the liberty Of mankind
seems to have formed at that early period
portion of his being, and he has not changed
since He has been the slaves friend
through life. In all stations he has pleaded
the cause of African freedom, without fear
from high or low. TO him, more than to
any other individual, is to be ascrlbed that
great revolution which has taken place in
public sentiment upon this subiect----a rev.
oution, whose wheels must continue to
move onward till they reach the goal of
universal freedom A conviction OF the ex-
pediency and necessity of ultimate emanci-
patton, has been spreading farther & farther
among our counlrymen, and taking deeper
and deeper root in their minds, and it re-
quires not the spirit of prophecy TO foretelh
the end This rapid and continued triumph.
of the principles which il was the object of
Mr.. Clay's first political labors 10 establish,
may well be a source OF pride 10 him and
honest Civilizations 10 ais friends"
In view Of this carly. action on the part
Of Mr. Clay 10 the cause of mancpation--.
his consistent course since, and his repeated
declaration that his views sill remain I'm.
changed upon the subject we ask in all
conscience il 1t is so pery strange, that men
ceiling deeply upon this and other impor.
ant questions of national policy, should pre-,
er the election of Henry Clay to that of
lanes X. Poke The one we find a warm
ldvocate Of a PROTECTIVE TARIFF,
DISTRIBUTION, and OPPOSED TO
The ANNEXATION OF TEXASt
nd tho other decided FREE TRADE
lAN--OPPOSED TO DISTRIBU-
ZION, and IN FAVOR OF ANNEX,
ITION'-by schich Slacery ~Ould be put
'rever out ofthe reaeh Of all future Ado,
tioniSm