The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1849-03-13
HENRY CLAY on EMANCIPATION.

The Lexington Observer mas puoliSheu ie''ei HVi"
Henry Clay to Richard Pudel, on the subject OF the
emancipation of the slaves in Kentucky. We deem this
letter very important for the sound principles tha'
j, contains than for the plan of emancipation which he
proposes but especially because any letter, decidedly
in favor OF general emancipation, coming from such
source will have great influence in Kentucky and
throughout the slave States, and will give an earnest
ness to the discuss which cannot but be productive of
good.
The plan proposed in this letter is, provision. by
which all slaves born in the State after fixed day shall
be free on attaining the age OF twenty-five; the gov>
eminent having the power to let them out TO service for
three years longer the proceeds of which shall cons>
the fund 10 pay the expenses of transporting them to
Liberia, and supporting them for SIX months after their
arrival there.
The arguments of those who justify slavery are thus
met:
lam aware that there are respectable persons
who believe that slavery is blessing, that the
institution ought to exist in every well organized
society," and that it is even favorable to the pres
ervation of liberty. Happily, the number who
entertain these extravagant opinions is not very
great, and the time would be uselessly occupied
in an elaborate refutation OF them. L would,
however, remark that, if slavery be traught with
THESE alleged DeHeutS, the Oh winch IL
is maintained would require that one portion OF
the white race should be reduced to bondage to
serve another portion of the same race, when
black subjects of slavery could not be obtained,
and that in Africa, where they may entertain as
great a preference for their color as we do fer
ours, they would be justified in reducing the
white race to slavery in order to secure the bles-
sings which that state is said to dffuse.
An argument, in support OF reducing the AT
their alleged intellectual interorty to the white
races: but, if this argument be founded in fact,
(as it NAV be, but which shall not now exam
inc J it would prove entirely too much. 1t would
prove that every white nation which had made
greater advances in civilization, knowledge and
wisdom than another white nation, would have
the right to reduce the latter to state OF bond
age Nay, further, if the principle OF subjuga-
ton founded upon intellectual superiority be true,
and be applicable to races and to nations. what is
to prevent its being applied to individuals And
then the wsest man in the world would have a
right to make slaves of all the rest OF mankind +!
If, indeed, we possess this Intellectual superb
GRITTY, profoundly grateful and thankful to him
who has bestowed it, we ought to fulfil all the
duties and obligations which it imposes. aud
these would require US not TO subjugate or deal
uniustly by our fellow men who are less blessed
than we are, but to instruct, to improve and en-
Tighten Them
The advantages of emancipation, question of
State policy well and strongly put, and, after being
discussed at some length, thus summed up
We shall remove from among US the contami-
mating influences OF servile and degraded race
of different color! We shall enjoy the proud and
conscious satisfaction of placing that race where
they can enjoy the great blessings OF liberty, and
civil, political and social equality; we shall ac-
quire the advantage OF the diligence, the fidelity,
and the consistency OF free labor, instead of the
careessness, the infidelity, and the unsteadiness
ofslave labor; we shall elevate the character of
white labor, and elevate the social condition the
white laborer; augment the value oil our lands,
improve the agriculture of the State, attract cap-
ital from abroad to all the pursuits of commerce,
manufactures and agriculture; redressed, as far
and as fast as we prudently could, any wrongs
which the descendants of Africa have suffered at
our hands, and we should.demonstrate the SINGER
ity with which we pay indlscrminate homage to
the great cause OF the liberty of the human race.
Kentucky enjoys high respect and honorable
considerations throughout the Union and through
out the civilized world; but, in my humble
opinion, no title which she has to the esteem
and admiration of mankind, and, / may say, no
deeds of her former glory, would equal in great
ness and grandeur that of being the pioneer in
removing from her soil every trace of human
slavery, and in establishing the descendants OF
Africa, within her jurisdiction, in the native
lands OF their torefathers
There will be differing opinions of This letter aocord>
ing to the varying views Of individuals That it fails 10
up the high saEdurd, which Christian duty re>
qures snust be conceded. Yet, i'll our opinion 1t can
rot fail be productive of great good. II has takef
stand far in advance of public sentiment in the slave
STATES and of that in very considerable portion
of the population Of the free States. II is position to
WHICH, the people come, they will be prep ared nay
they will find the necessity, of going arther-even to
absolute and unconditional emancipation. We believe
that the minds Of the people must be prepared for this
by degrees, and it is possible that this letter may help
forward the work, where one radical in its views,
might fail TO be received with favor. If system OF
gradual emancipation should be adopted by the State
on the condition of eoonizng the slaves, believe
that the condition would be repealed before the
woald arrive for il TO take effect
II Daniel Webster SAID to enjoy high favors wi III
tie President. Websers declaration that the Generals
nomination was one "not fit to be made" satisfied the
after Of the soundness of his judgment
G-T Our "peace" President who assigned TO the army
aud navy leading position in his inaugural, gave
reception, on Saturday. to the officers OF The army
They pere dressed lN uniform. "Coming events cast
their shadows before.