Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-09-27
EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH OF CAS-
SIUS NJ. CLAY, AT CLEAVELAND, OHIO.

LA RAIL FhOM ltlb SIEIbCll OF ChS-
SIUS NJ. CLAY, AT CLEAVELAND, OHIO.
From the Cloayollnd Herald.
Mr.. Kelley, on taking the chair, says the Herald
made some very appropriate remarks, and introdu-
ced to the audience Cassus NJ. Clay, ESQ, of Ken
lucky gentleman with whose name and charac-
ter we have long been familiar but who was an
entire stranger to our people. Mr. Clay is youn
ger man than we expected to see, is OF fine per
sonnl appearance and has an eye and countenance
and manner, that fully sustain his reputation for
intellect, intelligence and boldness. MIR. Clay
spoke about two hours with much force and effect,
and it is a source of much regret that we cannot
give his excellent speech in detail
He defined his position in regard to the great
question of slavery he would abide by the
terms of the Constitution, but would not go one
step beyond them that he had long been battling
against slavery in Kentucky and had been derlded,
and insuted, and assaulted, by bullics with clubs
and pistols, who sought to take his life-that with
reference to this great object, he had been a
ddate in Fayctte county for the Legislature, and
although opposed by men of all classes, by much
of the wealth, and talent, and family influence of
the people in and about Lexington, by the aid of
Henry Clay he was successful. He was opposed
to the annexation of Texas for variety of rea-
sons-it was unconstitutional it was impoltic-
its tendencies to perpetuate slavery and south
ern influence in the control Of government, and
there were no counterbalancing equivalents
He supported Henry Clay (who not any kins-
man of his, unless very remotely for the Presi-
dency, because he had ever been the friend of lib
erty-lberty to all countries and to all men, with
out regard to color cline, when he believed the
safety of a much greater number Of the white pop
uaton did not, under the existing circumstances,
forbid at the time-but he had ever favored all
those propositions that in his opinion tended to
such ends--he was prescribed in Kentucky, when
young man for his efforts in behalf of the cause
Of human rights, and he had been advocating them
like rational man ever since. When he, (Mr. c.
NJ Claw was a candidate for the Legislature, the
contest was in regard to his views Of emancipa-
ton, and notwithstanding the tremendous excite
ment of the canvass, greater than ever before or
since, and the prodigious weight of wealth, lani-
ly influence, and every thing else that could be ar
raved against him and his cause, Henry Clay sus-
tanned him in it, and he succeeded. He did not
agree entirely with Mr.. Clay in his views as to an
nexaton, for he did not think that there was any
constitutional power to make il, under any circum-
stances but it was a difference that amounted to
nothing practically He hal carefully scanned
the three letters of Mr. Clay, including that print
ed and circulated by thousands about the city this
morning, by the Democracy, who all favored the
plan, he believed, and he found that Mr.. Clay i'm
posed such restrictions upon anneXation as would
necessarily result in defeating it. lie would not
agree to it, unless it could be done without dis
honor, without war, with the common consent of
the Union, and upon just and fair terms" In his
Raleigh letter he said he would not consent to do
it while any considerable section of the Union OPP
posed it. Who believed that under such condi-
tons annexation would ever take place. Mexico
has said she would resist it as long as she could
man gun.
Texas owes large debt, and her valuable lands
f are all gone There could then be no fair terms
in this view, and what others Mr.. Clay would i'm
, pose he knew not. All the North and Northwest
on1 of tba would and
Y constituted certainly, ga considerable section o
. the Union" If all objections are out of the way
Mr. Clay would be glad to see annexation, but j
was owing to his universal philanthropy. He be
lieved that men were competent to govern them
:. selves, and that our form of government was thu
best men could have, and conferred upon them thu
greatest amount of happiness. lie does not thinl
the question of slavery should affect the question
of annexation, as slavery is inevitably to becomt
extinct but think it does affect it, and there We
f differ But the ultra abolitioniss complain of thi
, opinion because they profess to think that annex
alton will hasten its downfall. If, however, car
f ret the substance | care not about differences il
form or theory. If Mr.. Clay is elected, there vii
# be no annexation now, and before it could b.
v brought about after his term, will get publi
! sentiment at tho South corrected. If Mr. Polk b.
j. elected we shall have annexation in less thai
C twelve months, and with it, dishonor and war AM
II ruin as fear. Mr.. Clay says abe shall be gov
q erneu Dy inc pdTuuouill uu'y OF preserving Uni
.. Union entire and in harmony" and this would b
n a trihing obstacle in the way of Mr.. Polk or,
,, not with him, it would be so with many Of hi
y Southern friends.
J. am practical abolitionst-the dest uction
n the whole system of Slavery is what seek aboy
every thing else, and because IL ink it would ad
= vance the interest and happiness of both races
is saying nothing of much higher considerations
J. which have referred. With this object befol
J. me, earnestly advocate the election Of Mr.. Cla,
% as an instrument for the accomplishment Of TIL
treat purpose not that he agrees with me in eyei
er particular but he does in substance, and becaus
IN the policy he advocates in the administration of Il
rs government is the only one under which the pee
n pie of this great country can be prosperous an
is happy. With his success believe our gloriol
s. Union may be preserved, and for many generation
| hope if defeated, / fear, deeply fear, the co
I'll sequence may be destruction, and at very ear
Sc day and how absurd it is for those men who agrt
with me the abolition question, to oppose hi
c. Do they not know that the southern slavery me
sy look for success if they succeed ut all, TO the i
) direct aid they get from the Abolitonists Of Il
he North and the West by their diverting vot
r. enough from the Wing ticket to secure the ele
Is ton of the Polk ticket? The extremes of Slave
ie men and anti-Slavery men thus combine, but wi
70 very different motives, in the attainment of Il
t same object, and most unhoy alliance it is, if a
ne lance il may be called.