The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-03-12
EXTRACT FROM THE SPEECH OF
Cassius M. CLAY
BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.

BEFORE TIE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY.
Political difficulties thcken around US;
war, for the perpetuation OF this curse threat
ems us in the distance; dark clouds of blood
shed, dissolution and utter ruin lower on the
horizon; the great national heart hes bleed
ing in The dust under the rentless heel Of the
Slave power 1t requires 80 very quick eye
TO see that the political power oi kentucky
is gone forever unless she takes new tack
and revives under the Free Labor system
Having, in truth. no common interest with
the Slave holding policy of the South, we
bear all the evils of the alliance without any
of the supposed compromising benhts which
Slavery confers upon the curivators Of rice,
sugar and cotton. The South is beginning
TO be supplied with produce from States near
err them in distance and facilities in Transport
tation than ours. whilst she is already too
poor to buy from US: we look for markets al
most exclusively 10 Cincinnati, and New
York, and New-Orleans, which last is but
the outlet TO the other nations. Until Ken
lucky is prepared to 90 all lengths for Slavery,
she is powerless; not pro-slavery enough
for the chivalry,' nor free enough for the
FREE, between two stools she founders on the
ground.
OtdiioiSs pOii4iNi"uS dbu
ly let-live abOrers feel these bitter truths
Kentucky never will unite herself 10 the slave
empire, born of Southern disunion: then let
her at once lead on the van for freedom. Is
the cry Of liberty less powerful than slavery
TO move the hearts of menl Let us then be
Just and fear not. Let US Hibernate our slaves,
and make friends instead Of enemies for the
evil day; for all the signs of The times pro-
.i,,,, that tho claimants Of
among US; when the crisis comes, if we are
free, all will be safe; if not, no man can see
the end. British emancipation has gone be-
fore us, proving all things safe. The price
of lands in the colonies is admitted on all
bands to have risen in value, in spite Of all
the enemies Of freedom, these are the cier-
nal and undisputabe proofs Of successful re-
form. The day you strike off the bonds Of
slavery experience and statistics prove the
prophecy Of Thomas jefferson, that the ratio
Of the increase Of the blacks upon given ba-
sis, diminishes, compared with the increase
of slavery. while the influx Of white immigra-
ton swallows up the great mass Of the Afri-
can race, in the progress and civilization OF
the more energetic white. Amaigamalion OF
the two races so aifectedly dreaded by some
pro slavery men, is far less in the free than in
servation; what little reflection would have
enabled them, priOri, TO have determined.
many of the moro faithful and industrious
slaves may be employed by their quandam
/ masters, while the idle and vicious must suffer
the consequences of their folly. Stealing
will not increase, as some argue, but be di-
minished, for vigilance will be more active
! and punishment more certain and severe
J. l. L. %, al <,H fJ9
! frrcr Of CoarRtioa, and run again and a.
! gain, IN ricsory shalt perch on the standard Of
/ lie free Whether emancipation be remote
or Immediate, regard must be had to their
rights Of owners, the habits Of the old, and
/ the general good feeling OF the people. To
those who cry out forever, What shall oe
done with the freed slaves' it will occur
that upon this plan, no more will be left a.
,nong us than we shall absolutely need. for
we have every reason to suppose that many
of the opponents Of the movement will leave
us before its consummation, taking their
slaves with them; and the State ought not to,
il she could, at once deprive herself of the
slave laborers now here.
Then let us have no regard TO the clamors
of the ultras of the North or the South.move
on mistaken in our purpose to the glorious
end Shall sensible men be forever deluded
by the silly cry OF 'aboliiionists; is this not
becoming not only ridiculous, but contempt
able! Can you notsee that many base dem
agogues have been crying out wolf, whilst
they were playing the traitors TO their party
and the country for personal elevation! Is 1t
not time that some sense ofreturning justice
should revive in your bosoms, and that you
should cease 10 denounce those Who IN defeat
do not forget their integrity, and :" no, though
fsIle,, 10 no not DESPAIR Of the Republic
Washington. Jelfe sou ard Madison anc
the great founders Of the Republic are my
standard bearers; Liberty and Union is my
motto. Never yet has Kenruckian desert
ed his country's standard and d-the held.I
Shall be the first TO prove recreant to the
sentiment which should ever be uppermos'
in the bosoms Of the gallant and the free
when danger. no matter whether ofthe sword
or more damning despotism threatens his ma