Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-01-13
CaSSiuS NJ. CLAW,

Nothing, in our judgment, could more forcibly de-
monstrate the dreadful lallucination into which this
young Kcntuckian has fallen, upon the subjects of
slavery and the war, than the striking contrast in his
treatment at The hands of Kentucky Shareholders now,
on his return from the war, and two years since, when
nobIy battling for the freedom of speech and the liberty
ofthe press, Then, lmpelled onward by this r~esistless
force of moral principle, he broke away from the re-
straints ofsouthern education, habit & influence ,emaaci-
pated his slaves, and enlisted in the noble work of rid
ding his native state of the incubus of slavery. AT every
step of his progress he acknowledged allegiance to the
constitutions and laws, and only asked for such free
dom Of investigation and of the press as is plainly
guaranteed in both the constitutions Of Kentucky and
the United States. But how was he met in his con-
scientious and self denying labors by his brother slave
holders? His most familiar fiiends-and even kind.
red after the lesh-turncd their heel upon him for his
destruction. In his own native village, a mob was
raised, with a favorite son Of Henry Clay as its Secre-
tary, which broke up and destroyed the Office ofthe True
American, and assured its editor that the discussion of
the question of Slavery in their midst could never be tol-
Grated. Still Cassius NJ. Clay appeared to be possessed
of the true light and love of freedom, while he
continued, as he best might, TO contend for. that con-
%sttutional right which the moderate spirit of slavery
had wrested from him. Thus it was when the Mexi-
can war cry rang through the land, and Cassius M.
Clay, bewildered by its pageantry, pomp and circum-
stunce, or an overweight desire to manifest his con-
tnued allegiance to the powers that lie, volunteered in
a war which he had often denounced as unconsttu-
tional, abominablc, and wagcd for the extension and
pcrpetuity of slavery. With but a limited chance to
crafty his martial spirit-with scarcely an o%pportuni-
ty to %"capture or Stay a Mexican"-Capt. Clay was
captured by the enemy, and after a lengthy imprison-
ment, he now returns to his home. And what is his
reception? Those very men, who, two years since,
were ready to persecute him to the death, now receive
hin with open arms, and the military escort, the civic
procession, the public dinner, the ~eloquence of slave
holding statesmen and the beauty and grace of woman,
are all brought into requisition to welcome the hero
home! What a contrast! and can the sensitive mind
of Cassius M. Clay fail to note its import, and avoid
the conviction that his present enthusiastic welcome
has been purchased at the costly sacrifice of that high
toned moral position and principle, his devotion to
which but a short time previous we'll nigh cost him his
life?
We mourn for the s%hipwrcck which Cassius M Clay
has made of himself and his hopes. We once looked
upon him as a glorious luminiary arising in the tirma-
ment of our nations hopes; but alas, the obscurity 10
which he has doomed himself is dc?lorable. Neverthe-
do not despair of hin yet. We trust he is pos
sessed of those principles which may yet secure his full
nno +b;,r ;n ,n lie c,vor, ,;...J Ia, .,.,u.
he says but little in public concerning slavery and the
war, except that "his opinions are unchanged"-lea
ing room to hope that the restraint he is apparently
under,is the result of his sober, second thought respect
ing the Inconsistency oflis course. Heaven grant that
he may break through the dark clouds in which he is
e%nyeloped, and, by a consistent and Jealous devotion
to the righteous cause of human freedom, yet fulfill the
high hopes induced by his rising glories.
Since bis return to Kentucky, Mr. Clay has publish
ed the following address to the old patrons of the True
A spark of the true fire seems to be left.
To the Subscribers Of the True American:
CoMpArRIoTs-The True American has ceas-
ed to exist but it was not in vain that it was
established by me, and SO literally sustained by
you.
The true friends of the South were not behind
their brothers of the free States in feeling the
evils of slavery. Not content with injecting the
pulpit, the Legislative Hall and social circle, it
upon the Liberty of the press, and des-
pairing silence sat upon millions. Here and
there at long intervals some one more daring
than the rest gave uttcrance to the hottest in
of nature, and spoke out against the giant
curse. 1t was but a momentary ripple on a vast
sea, whose waters again subsidized into a more
than original stagnation.
In all the South there was.not a single press
where right could be INDICATED or calm reason