Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1844-09-13
CAssius NJ. CLAW,


at least from good quarter, and should be well
considered by all DISTINGUISHED minds.
He defined his position in regard TO the great
question of slayery-said he would abide by the
terms Of tie Constitution. but would not 60 one
step beyond thcm--th,t he had long been bathing
against slavery III kentucky; and been deridad,
and insuted and assaulted By bullics with clubs :
and pistols no sought to take his ilio-that with
reference to his great object, no had boon can
dldato IN Fayo,to county for the Legislature, and
although opposed BY mon of all classes, by much
of the wealth and talent and family Influence Of
tho people III and about Lexington, by the aid of
Henry Clay. he was successful. lie was opposed
to the annexation of Texas, for variety of rea-
sons-it was unconstitutional was impolitic-
its tendencies wero to perpctuate slavery and
southern Influence in tho control of govern
mont, and there were counter balancing equiv
alcnts. lie supported Henry Clay (who was no
kinsman of his unless very remotely for the Pres
idcncy, because 10 had been the friend Of
lborty-to all countries and to all men, without
regard to color Cline when he believed the
safety of much greater number of tho white
population did not, under the existing circumstan
forbid it at the tin,e-but no had ever favor
cd all those propositions that III his opinion tended
T. such ends-he was prescribed in kentucky
whom young man for his efforts in behalf of tho
cause of human rights, and he has been advoca-
ting them like rational man ever since. When
no (Mr. {. NJ. Clay) was candidate for the Lee
gslaturc, tho contest was In regard to his views
of omanc patton, and notwithsta nding the trcmen-
dous excitement of the canvass, greater than
or before or since, and tho prodgous weight of
wealth, family influence, and cvory thing else
that could be arrayed against him and his cause,
HENRY CLAY sustained him in it md succoeded.-
Ito did not agroo entirely with Mr.. Clay in his
Vows as to tho anncxation for he did not think
thoro any constitutional power to make it un-
der any circumstances, but it Il difference
that amounted to nothing practically. llc had
carefully scanned tho three letters Of Mr.. CLAY.
including that printed and distributed by thou
sands about the city this morning, by the democ-
racy, who all favored tho plan, no believed and
no found that Mr.. Clay imposed such restrictions
upon annexation. that it would necessarially result
ri defeating it. He would not grco to it, unless
it could be dono ''wi,hout dishonor, without war,
with tho common consent of the Union, and upon
Just and fair torms.' In his Raleigh, letter no
said no would not consent to do it whle any con-
siderable section of the Union opposed it. Who
believed that undor such conditions annexation
would oyor take place. Mexico has said she would
resist it as long sho could man gun.
Texas owes a largo dobt, and hor valuable lands
arc all gone. Thoro could then be no fair terms
i'll this view and what others Mr. Clay would i'm
pose, no know not. All tho North and North
West and much of the Ccntre would oppose it, and
these constituted certainly considerable
ton of tho Union" If all objections wore ont of
ton. but it owing to his universal philnnfhro
Ply. He beloved that mon wcro competent 10 gov
ern themselves and that our form of Government
was tie bost men could havo, and conferred upou
them the greatest measure of happiness. Ilo docs
not think tho question Of slavery should effect the
question of annexation as slavery is lncvltaby
to become extinct. but :hink does effect it and
tnorc ditfor. But tho ultra abolItonists com
plain Of this opinion, because they profess to
think that annexation will hasten its downtatl.-
If, however, | can get tho Substance caro- not
about differences IN form or theory. If Mr. Clay
is elected there will be no annexation now, and
before it could be brought about after his term we
will got public sentiment at tho South corrected.
If Mr.. Polk be elected we shall have annexation
in less than II months. with it. dishonor and war
and ruin, as fear. Mr.. Clay says, she should
DO governed by tho paramount duty Of preserving
this Union entire and IN harmony and this would
be trihing obstacle in tho way of Mr.. Polk-or
if with him. il would so be with many of his south
friends.
anna practical abotionst--the destruction
of the whole system of slavery is what seek
above every thing else. and because | think it
would advance the interest and happiness of both
races. saying nothing Of much hi ghor considera-
tons TO which have referred With this object
before mo. earnestly advocate the election OF Mr..
Clay instrument for tho accomplishments of
that great purpose. not that he agrees with mo IN
every particular, but he does in substance and
because the policy no advocates in the admins
tration of the government. is the only under
which the people of this great country can be pros
porous and happy. With his success believe our
glorious Union may be preserved and for many
generations hopc if defeated. fear deeply fear.
the consequences may be destruction and ut vo
nv early dav. and how absurd is it for those
who agree with me on the abolition question to OPP
poso hum. DO they not know that the southern
Slavery men look for success if they succeed at
ALL to the indirect aid they get from the abolition
lists of tho North aud West by their divcrting
votes enough from the Wing ticket TO secure the
election of the Polk ticket The extremes of sla-
very mon and of anti slavery men thus combine.
but with very different motives. in tho attainment
of the Same object. and most unholy alliance it
is. it alliance il may be called
Wo do not pretend to give the precise words of