The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-03-20
Mr. CLAY'S LETTER ON SLAVERY
AND ENANCIPAT1OS.

Rome III lpoEemOtr JheRy th cVi'DN@ -
md other friends, Won obtained from me
promise to make public exposition Of my
views and opinions upon grave and Irnpor-
tant question, which, il was then anticipated
would be much debated and considered by the
peonle of Kentucky during this year, IN con-
sequence of the approaching Convention sum.
uppned to amend the present Constitution.
WIZ. not even truly well when left home, and
owing 10 that cause, and nv confinement sew
eral weeks during my sojourn in this city,
from the effects of an accident which beiel Inc,
have delayed in the fulfment of my prom
ise. which now propose to execute.
1. The question to which allude is, wheth-
or African slavery, As it now exists in Hen
lucky, shall be EFT to perpetual or indefinite
continuance, or some provision shall be made
in the new constitution for its gradual and ul-
innate extinction
>. 4 few general observations will suffice
nv present purpose, without entering on the
whole subject of slavery, under all it, bear
ings, an,l in every aspect of it. l am aware
that there are respectable persons who be-
Keve- that slavery is blessing, that the insti-
tuition ought 10 exist in every well organized
society, and that it is even favorable to the
preservation of liberty. Happily, the number
who entertain these aRtravaeant opinions is
not very great, and the time would be useless
" occupied in an elaborate refutation OF them.
j woHld, however. remark that, if slavery be
fraught with these alleged benefits, the princi-
pie On which il is maintained would require
thar one portion of the white race should be
reduced to bondage, to serve anoiher portion
OF the same race, when black subjscts OF sla-
very could not be obtained and that IN Airl-
ca, where they may entertain as great pref
erenes for their color as VIC do for ours, they
would be justified in reducing the whites to
slavery, in order 10 secure the blessings which
that state is said TO diffuse.
IA argument in favor Of reducing the
African race to slavery, is sometimes derived
from the alleged intellectual inferiorlty to the
white races Lu:, if this argumen: be founded
in fact, las i may be, but which | shall not
now examine) it would prove entirely too
much. 1t would prove that every white ma
ton which had masle greater advance IN CIV
ilization. knowledge and wisdom than another
white nation, would have right to reduce the
LITTER to a state of bondage. Nay, further, if
the principle Of subjugation founded upon IN
tcllcctual superiority be true: and be applica-
bic to races and to nations, what is to prevent
its being applied 10 individuals ? And then
the wisest man in the world would have a
right TO make slaves of the rest of mankind.
1. If, indeed, we possess this intellectual
superiority, profoundly grateful and thankful
10 Him who has bestowed il, we ought to full
I'll ali the duties and obligations which 1t i'm
poses and these would require us not to sub
jugate or deal unjuStly by our fellow men who
are less blessed than We are but TO instruct, to
improve and to enlighten them.
5. A vast majority of the people of the L.
s. believe, regret the introduction OF slave !
~ into the colonies, lament that a single slave |
ireals our soil, dep!ore the necessity OF the
cont ;nuance Of slavery in any one Of! the
States, regard the institution as great evil TO
10Th races, and would rejoice in the adoption
Of anv safe, jus, and practicable plan for the
removal of all slaves among u.s. Hitherto no
such satisfactory plan has been presented
When On the occasion of the formation Of our
present constitution of Nv, IN 1893, the ques-
lion of the gradual emancipation Of slavery in
the Safe was agtated, Its friends had TO en-
roun er u great obstacle in the fact that there
then existed no established colony to which
they could be transported.
Now, BY the successful establishment Of
fourishinc colonies on the Western coast oil
Africa, that difficulty has been obviated And
] ronfrss thai, without indulging in any undue
feelings of superstition, it does seem to me
that ii NAV have been among the dispensaiions
of Providence to permit the wrongs under
which Africa has suffered. 20 be inflicted, that
her children might be returned 10 their origin
nj home, civilized, and imbued with the be-
nidn spirit of Christianity, and prepared ulti-
lnatelv TO redeem that great continent from
barbarism and idolairy.
c. Without undertaking to judge for any
other State, it was my opinion in 1893, that
Kentucky was in a state TO admit Of the grad
nal emancipation of her slaves and how deep
~ do lament that system. with that object,
had not been then established lfit had been,
the State would now be rid of all slaves. My
opinion has never changed, and ] have fire.
qucusly expressed it. should be most happy
ii what was impracicable st that epoch could
now be accomplished.
4. After full and deliberate consideration of
the subject il appears TO me three principles
should regulate the establishment of system
Of emancipation. The first is, that 1t should
be slow in its operation, cautious and gradual,
so a. 10 occasion no CONFUSION, nor any rash
or Sudden disturbance in the existing habits OF
society. Second that, as an indispensable con-
dition. the emancipated slaves should be re-
moved from the stateeto some colony. And,
thirdly, that the expenses OF their transporta-
tion to such colony, including an outfit for six
months sitter their arrival, should he betrayed
hv fund to be raised from the labor of each
free Save,
e Z. Nothing could be moro unwisc than the
immediate liberation OF all the slaves in the
stare, comprchending both sexes and all ages.
from that of tender infancy to extreme old
nge. 1t would lead to the most frigh:ful and
fatal consequences. ANY great change in the
condition OF society should he marked by eA-
treme care and circumspec.ion. The intro
daction of slavery into the colonies was an op-
Grafton of many ears duration land the work
Of their removal from the Uunted States can
only be effected after the lapse Of great
leng h of time.
9 think that period should be fixed
when all born after it should be free at spe-
cited age, all born before it remaining slaves
for life That period, would suggest, should
be 1855 or even 1860; for on this and other
arrangements OF the system, if adopted,
incline TO a liberal margin, SO as to obviate a.
MANY objections. and to unite as many opinions
nc noss;hlp Whether the commencement O