Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-12-02
Mr.. ClaH'S Sneech.

The New York papers of Saturday bring US revised
and corrected copies of Mr.. Clay's late Lexington
Speech but its length is such, and its substance hav-
ing been so well expressed in the report we gave last
week, that we deem its publication unnecessary. Up
on one point however-that of slaveryou last weeks
report does not do justice to Mr. Clay, his revised
speech being much more full and explicit. We there
fore copy the main part Of his remarks upon this topic;
"Among the resolutions, which it is my intention to
present for your consideration, at the conclusion of this
address, proposes, in your behalf and mine to dis
aVow, In the most positive manner, any DESIRE on our
part to acquire any foreign territory Whatever for the
purpose of introducing slavery into it. do not know
that any citizen of the United States entertans such
wish. But such motive has often been Imputed to
the Slave States and therefore think it necessary to
notice on this occasion. My opinions on the subject
Of slavery well known. They nave the merit, if
it be one, of consistency, unltormIyand long duration,
have ever regarded Slavery as great evil, wrong,
for the present, fear, an remedable wrong, to its
unfortunate victims, | should rejoice if not a single
slave breathed the air or within the limits of our
country. But here they are, to be dealt with as well
us with due consideration Of all crcumstan-
ces affecting the security and happiness Of both ra-
ces. Every State has the supreme, uncontrolled and
exclusive power to decide for itself whether slavery
exterior intervention from any quarter. In States
where the slaves outnunber the whites, as Is the
case with several, the blacks could not be emanci-
pated and invested with all the rights Of lreemen
without becoming the governing ace in those States
Collisions aud conflicts, betW cen the two races, would
be inevitable, and after shocking scenes OF rapne anc
carnage the extinction or expulsion Of the blacks woulC
certainly take places. In the State of Kentucky near
fifty years ago. thought the proportion of slaves, il
| on was RI {
that we might safely adopt system of gradual eman
cpation that would ultimately eradicate this evil il
our State. That system was totally different from The
immediate abolition Of slavery for which the party o
Abolitioniss of the present day contend Whether they
have intended it not, it Is my calm and deliberate
belief, that they have done lncalcuabe mischief ever
te the cause which they have espoused to say nothl
of the discord which has been produced between dit
ferent parts Of the Union. According to the system
we attempted Lear the close of the last century, al
slaves E being were to remain such but all who might
be born subsequent 10 specified day, were 10 beront
free at he aye 2S, and daring their service were Il
be taught 10 read, write aud cylher Thus, instead
being thrown upon the community, ignorant and I'M
prepared as would be the case by immediate enamel
patton, they would have entered upon the possession
IF their fire edom capable in some degree OF enuyl
it. After hard struggle, the system was defeated
and regret it extremely, as if it had been then adopt
ed our State would be nearly rid of that reproach
| Since that epoch, scene of unmlXed benevolenct
has sprung uo which, if it had existed at that time
would have ubvated of the greatest objection:
which was made to gradual emancipation, which was
the continuance of the emancipaed slaves to abide
among us. That scheme 10 the American colonization
society About % years ago few individuals myself
among them, met together in the City of Washington
and laid the foundation of that Socely.-It has gone
on amid extraordinary difficulties and trials, sustaining
itself almost entirely by spontaneous and voluntary
contributions from individual benevolencewith scarce
ly any aid from Government The Colonies, planted
under its auspices are now established communities
with churches schools and other institutions appertan
ING to the civilized state They have made successful
war in repelng attacks and nvaslons by their barba
rous and savage neighbors. They have made treaties
annexed territories to then dominion, and are blessed
with free representative government. | recently
read message from one of their Governors TO theiI
Legislature which in point of composition, and in care
r ful attention to the public affairs of their Republic
would compare advantageousy with the Messages OF
the Governors of our own States | am not very SUI
perstitons but do soemny believe that these colo
MES are best with The smiles of Providence and if
| may dare attempt penetrating the veil by which He
conceas His a-wise dispcnsatlons from mortal eyes
that He designs that Africa shall be the refuge and
the home of the descendants of its sons and daughters
torn and dragged from their native land by awess vi
oence.
1t is phiIanthropc and consong reflection that
the moral and physical condition of the African race in
the United States in state of slavery, is far bet