Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-11-06
Cassius NJ. Claws Appeal to the Public.


''The True American" was revived on the 7th inst
dated at Lexington and printed at Cincinnati. The
appeal is very long.
Mt Clay says
ain the Spring of 1916, I, in connection with some
other Kentuckans, made proposals to publish pape
devoted 10 free discussion and gradual emancipation ia
Kentucky. On the Sd day of June of the same year
the True American was issued from the press, having
about three hundred subscribers in this State anC
about seventeen hundred in the other States. On the
18th day Of August 1915, the last number Of this pa
per was sent TO about hundred subscribers in
Kentucky, and about 2700 in the other States Of the
Union"
Mr. Clay follows with an account Of the occurrences
at Lexington Ofthe handbls which were prepared
by him, during the disturbance, he says
EVERY one of these was dictated by TO an a.
manuensis, whilst my hands and head were continually
bathed with cold water, to keep the lever down to a
point below delirium. Every relative believed would
be murdered on Monday and all but my wife and moth
er advised to yield up the liberty of the press but
preferred rather to die.
I'm the morning Of the 18th of August George r.
Trotter, Judge OF the city OF Lexington, issued e-
gal process enlonng the True American office and all
its appurtenances, and demand Welded up the KEYS
TO the City Marshal. At / O'Clock on the same day
about twelve hundred persons assembled in the Court
House yard: Chairman and Secretary were appoint
ed-a manifesto and resolutions were reported BY Il.
II. MARSHALL and adopted. committee of sixty were
appointed TO take down the press and tyne and send
them TO Cincinnati. The committee proceeded to the
True American office, where the Mayor of The CITY
at his command,) james Logue, warned them that
they were doing an illegal act which he bound to
resist, but that he was ovepowered by superior force
and yielded up possession and the keys After boxing
up the press and type and all the furniture Of the Of
fce, and sending them TO Cincinnati, they reported
again to the meeting at the Court House, al O'Clock;
and after speech from Thomas Melcalf disavowng
OIL connection with Aboitionsm the part of the
Wings OF Kentucky, the meeting adjourned"
The right Of discussion in Kentucky, Mr. CLAW
grounds upon the 7th article of the Constitution of
Kentucky which says
1.-The General Assembly shall have no power to pass
laws ior the emancipation OF slaves, without the con-
sent OF their owners, without paying their owners
previous to such emancipation full equivalent in
money for the slaves emancipaed."
ms u IS said puts the whole question fairly with
in the field OF discussion.
Nh Clay further quotes the Constitution of his State
as declaring:
"Ihe presses shall be Tree to every person who un.
deakes to examine the proceedings of the Legislative
or any branch oil government; and no law shall ever
be made TO restrain the right thereof The free com
munlcaton OF thoughts and opinions is one OF the in
aenable rights OF man, and every citizen may freely
wIie' speak, or print on any supec being responsible
Tor the abuse of that liberty"
Upon this, Nj Clay saws
"Ihen call upon William Owsley Governor of
hentucky TO protect me in the constitutional re-estab-
ishment of the liberty of the press This il n case Of
domestic violence IL he had not power enough here
IN Kentucky, demand of him, in the name of the
splrt OF the 4ih article of the Constitution 10 call
upon James X Polk, President Of the United States
70 assist with all the power of the National arm, in
yIndcating the violated laws aud broken constitution
me liberty Of the press is my inheritance. II mine
oy the common law Of the land. Congress has no
power to take il away, but to make il secure | i'm
S,c american people 10 vndicate their birhrght
and mine. To the national government owe alegl-
ance and in turn claim Of It proleciion demand Of
the Congress of the United States to pass suitable
laws by which the rebels of the Isth fthey attempt
to redeem their pledge and renew their violence NAV
DE summary nj mat hal
protected in the liberty Of speech and Of the press
Yes, Americans, if you not slaves, this thing will
have to be done. 1t is your and not mine JUS
ice demands 1t the Constitution demands ii-your
own safety demands it-virtue and humanity demand
then in the name OF God and Liberty, let it be