Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-09-04
b. w. DUDLEY,
THO. II. WATERS,
JOHN ". HUME.


bold reply:
SIRs-I received through the hands of Mr..
| Thomas H. Waters, one of your committee, since
candle light, your extraordinary letter. Inas-
much as two OF your committee and myself are
not upon speaking terms, and when add to this
fact that you have taken occasion TO address me
note of this character, when am on bed of
sickness OF more than months standing, from
which have only ventured at intervals to ride
out and to write few paragraphs, which caused
relapse. think that the American people will
agree with me, that your office is bad and dis
honorable one, more particularly when they re-
fleet that you have had more than two months
whilst | was in health TO accomplish the same
purpose | say in reply TO your assertion that
you are committee appointed by respectable
portion Of the community, that it cannot be true
Traitors to the laws and constitution cannot be
deemed respectable by any but assassins, pirates
and highway robbers. Your meeting is one uD-
known 10 the laws and constitution of nv coun-
try; it was secret in It's proceedings, its purposes
its spirit; and lis action, like its mode of exist
ence, are wholly unknown to or in direct viola
ton of every known principle of honor religion
or government, held sacred by the civilized
world. treat them with the burning contempt
Of brave heart and loyal citizen. / deny their
power and DEFY their action. 1t may be true that
those men are excited as you say, whose interest
il is TO prey upon the excitement and distresses
of the country. What iyrant ever failed to be
excited when his unjust power was to be taken
from his hands9 But deny, utterly deny, and
call for the proof, that there is any Just ground
Tor this agitation. In every case of violence BY
the blacks since the publication of my paper it
has been proven, and will again be proven by my
representatives, If my life should fail to be spared
that there have been special causes for action in
dependent of, and having no relation whatever 10
the True American its doctrines. Your adj.
vice with regard to my personal safety is worthy
OF the source whence it emanated, and meets the
same contempt from me which the purposes of
your mission excite. Go tell your secret con.
clave of cowardly assassins that c. NJ CLAW
knows his rights and how to defend them.
G. NJ. CLAY.
Lexington, August Is, 1915.
Following this answer, Mr.. Clay addresses
the following appeal TO the people of his native
State.
. KENTUcKfANs--You see this attempt of these
tyrants, worse than the thirty despDts who lauded
II over the once free Athens, now TO ensave you.
Men who regard law--men who regard all their
liberties as not to be sacrificed to a single pecu-
MARY interest," to say the least of doubtful value
lovers Of justice-enemies of blood-aborers
of all classes-you for whom | have sacrificed
so much, where will you be found when this
battle between Liberty and Slavery is to be fought
cannot, will not, dare not question on which
side you will be found. IT you stand by me
like men, our country will yet be free, but if you
talter now, perish with less regret when | re-
member that the people Of my native State, of
whom have been so proud, and whom have
loved so much, are already slaves.
G, NJ. CLAY.
Lexington, August Is, 1915.