The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-12-09
MIR, CLAY'S SPEECH.


than any speech before pronounced by this ex-
traordinary man. The time-the place-the tran
scendent ability, and elevated moral character of
the Speech nil concur, think, to render this the
browning act of Henry Clay's eventful life.
Having resigned his seat in the Senate of the
United States, which he did, five years ago last
March. (of which body he was first member, forty
wears ago and being now but private Citizen with
no patronage to bestow, more than the humblest of
his neighbors, yet, when it was announced that he
was to address his fellow citizens on the subject of
the War with Mexico, the notice was quickly reter-
ated by the thousand presses of the land The hopes
and the fears of millions were awakened. The
friends of the administration and its head who had
plunged the nation into this abomnable war, in open
violation of the plain letter of the Constitution,
which commits this tremendous power exclusively
to Congress, the immediate representatives OF the
people, feared and trembed knowing that the peo-
pie would read and ponder we'll whatever Henry
Clay should say on this al-absorbng subject While
the friends of peace-of national justice-ndeed all
who sincerely respond to the declaration of Holy
Writ that Righteousness exateth a nation," were
cheered with high hopes
The day came, and with it the people came' Al
though the morning was stormy, yet thousands upon
thousands 1ocked together, from far and near, to
hear from the mouth Of this eminent and venerable
statesman, his views of the war, &c. His friends
who knew his opinions well, and who knew too,
what no honest man, who ever knew him, will
dcny,) his uniform and mistaken fidelity to his
"A ochnn With
hope that this his last great effort would have the
effect of Fastening the end of this ingorious war,
and thereby of arresting the work Of human butch
cry, and the wanton waste Of untold millions Of
treasure. He has spoken; and the highest hopes of
his most ardent friends--the friends of peace-the
friends of freedom-in word, the hopes Of the true
patriot and Christian arc more than realized.
have said that the time, and the place, when and
where this speech was made, as we'll as the speech
ITSELF concurcd to give to it nm ncalcuable mpor-
lance. Although the superficial and narrow-mind-
ed who promo to deal in distractions and gene
ralities who jump at their conclusions withoutak-
ing the trouble, if they had the ability to reach them
by the only safe course, that Of sober reasoning,
might ask why, if this effort of Mr.. Clay, which is
destined to produce such an important effect upon
public opinion in relation to these a-engrossng sub
jects not put forth at an earlier day, so that
much of tho evil which has already been brought
upon the country by this might have been aver
ted2 To this enquiry the ready answer is, that if,
during the last Congress, composed as it was, of n
majority of nearly twothirds in favor Of Polk and
the war, MI angel had spoken, his message would
have been unheeded rs the idle wind" And if,
after the close of the last Congress- he had out
in this way, during the elections for the next Con-
gress which were being held at various times, in
many Of the states from March to November last it
would have been trumpeted through the land, thatlt
was designed merely for eectioneering purposes,
and much Of its force and effect would have been
lost upon large portion of those, who, although
honest and wcl-meaning, yet easily misled and de-
ceived, by dishonest and intriguing partisan leaders
and presses. Most wisely did he judge in selecting
the time he did, when the elections of the year
over, and tho new Congress was about to meet
through whose action alone, any important practical
effect could be produced. 1t is obvious, therefore,
that he chose precisely the right time
The place, too, considered in connection with the
two principal topics Of the speech, war and slavery
gives to it an nestmable value. Standing as he
did in the midst of people who have long beer dis
tingushed for their chvalrous character and prowess
in war, and not much accustomed to stop and en-
quirc into the necessity justice Of the measure;
but taught to consider it Of the highest duties of
patriotism to hasten to the field Of battle when the
drum beats for volunteers, and utterng the senti-
nents he did on the subject Of war; is an exhibition
Of high moral intrepidity, which is peculiar trait
in the character of Henry Clay. His description of
he horrors Of war; in all itsaspccts but more espe-
,ialy its demorazing effects, surpasses in power
md eloquence anything, we may safely say to be
ound in the volumes that have been written on that
subject He distinctly and boldly declares too, be-
ore slaveholding audience, his uncompromisng
opposition to the extension Of slavery-hs convic-
ions Of its evils Of the wrong and injustice to the
ubjects of it-and his sincere desire for its extnc-
ion throughout the land. If any one is disposed to
ay that Mr.. Cays practice is inconsistent with these
oblo sentiments, he being stakeholder, it is suf-
ent reply to satisfy all candid minds, that he holds
10 slaves against their wih having long since offered
hem their freedom whenever they should choose to &C
ept ofit And it has long been known to those who
esircdto know the truth concernnghis slaves thathe
las from time to time, given freedom to those who
esired it. f
We recommend the careful perusal and preserva- |
ion of this speech for future reference to all who
an obtain copy, that they may know what Mr. !
LAY has said, and all he said, together with the res
buttons which he presented, and not take the re-
orts of the carping critic and "cavng Writings of q
he day" @
Most cordially do we respond to the opinion of the
ditor of the N Y. Tribune who cxutingly exclaims,
Mr. Clay has spoken, and the war has received its p
cath blow!" A. WING.
FRANcoNIA BEATEN. - The Voice of Il
'reedom at Brandon, VT, says of the late p
L. n 4 i l.