New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-03-10
By telegraph 10 The EsV.Tork fhbur,.
LETTER OF HON. HENRY CLAY
EMANCIPATION. &c.
PIrTsRURGH. y Midnight, March z
Prom lie LsInsiOs Observer al Reporter



public exposition Of my views and opinions upon
a grave and important subjec. which II wa thus
anticipated, would be much debated and oonsid-
cred By the people Of Kentucky during this year
In consequence Of the approaching Convention
summoned to amend the present Constitution.
was not even truly well when / left home, and
owing TO that cause, and my confinement several
weeks during my sojourn in this city from the
effects Of an accident which befell me, have de-
lsyed the fulhllment Of my promise, which no"
propose 10 execute.
I. The question 20 which | aude Is whether
African Slavery, as it now exists IN hen'1chy'
shall be left - perpetual or indefinite con
tinuance, or some provision shall be made IN
the new constitution for its gradual and ultimate
extinction
g. a few geIersl observations will soihce my
present purpose, without entering On the whole
subject Of Slavery, under all It's bearings ana IN
every aspect Of il. ! am aware that there are
respectable persons who believe that Slavery -
a blessing, that the institution ought 70 exist IN
every well organized society, and that 1t IS even
favorable to the preservation OF liberty. Happy
the number who entertain these extra'aSah'
opinions is not very great, and the time Wouio Oe
uselessly occupied in an elaborate reiutstlon Of
them. would, however, remark that If slavery
be frsugbt with these alleged benefits, the primer
pie on which il is maintained would require thai
one portion of the white race should be reduced
10 bondage 70 serve another portion OF the same
race. when black subjects Of Slavery could not be
obtained and that in Africa, where they may en-
terrain as great preference for their color as We
do for ours, they would be justified IN reducing the
whites to Slavery, IN order TO secure TIE dressings
| which that state 10 said TO dfuse.
3. An argument, in favor Of reducing the African
race 10 Slavery. is sometimes derived from their
alleged intellectual inlerority 20 the white races
but, if this argument be founded in fact las u
may be. but which ! shall not now examined IL
| 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 q rght 70
reduce the latter to a state Of bondage. Nay lar
ther, if the principle Of subiugaton founded upon
intellectual superiority be true, and be applicable
10 races and to nations, what is 10 prevent It's
being applied to individuals And then the
Wisest man IN lne WoIiu Npuiu nav " ''-"N ~
make slaves of all the rest OF mankind
4 H. indeed, we possess this intellectual supe-
rioritv. profoundly grateful and thankful TO HIM
who has bestOw ed IT, we ought 10 iultl all the
duties aud obligations which 1t imposes and these
would require us not to subjugate or deal uWustiy
by our fellow men who are less blessed than we
are, but to instruct, to improve and to enilghten
them.
8 A vast majority OF the People OF the United
States believe, regret the Introduction OF Slave
~ into the Colonies, lament that single slave
reads our soil, deplore the necessity OF the con
tinuance Of Slavery in any of the States, regard the
institution as n great evil to both races, and would
rejoice in the adoption OF any safe just and practi-
cable plen for the removal OF all Slaves among u.s.
| Hitherto no such satisfactory plan has been pre-
| seuted When, on the occasion OF the formation
| of our present Constitution of kentucky IN l'y9,
the question ofthe gradual emancipation OF slavery
in the Stnte was agitated, its friends had To en-
counter great obstacle the fact that there then
| existed no established Colony to which they could
| be transported.
Il Now by the suceess'ul establishment Of Hour
..,.~ ,loi..n,.- on thew estern Coast of Africa
fthat dfic.ty has been Ooviated and confess
. tbat without INDUCING IN any undue feelings o
= approximation 1t does seem to ue that Il ma
nave b, an among the dispensations oil Providence
10 parnit the wrongs under which Africa has sui
ered 10 be inii cted that her children might be re
| stored to their original home civilized and i'm
, ! buea with the benign spirit of Christianity, an'
prepared ultimately to redeem that great Cont
neut from bsrbarlsm aud ldolatry.
&. Without undertaking TO judge for any othel
State. it was my opinion IN 1893, that Kentucky
wss IA a state to admit OF the gradual emancips
ton Of her slaves and how deeply do lamen
that a system, with that object, had not been theI
| establisledi II Il had been. the State would now
| be rid of slaves. Nv opinion has never changed
and ! have frequently publicly expressed 1t.
| should be most happy II what was impractical,
at that epoch could now be accomplished.
T. After iull aud deliberate consideration O
the subject It appears 10 me three principle
, | should regulate the establishment of n system o
| Gradual Emancipation. The first IA, that b
should be slow IN It's operation, cautious, anS
gradual, So 70 occasion no conV ulson, nor any
rash or sudden disturbance in the existing habit
: | ol society. Second, that, rs an indispensable
condition the emanci psted slaves should be re
moved from the State to some Colony And
| rhrdy that the expenses of their trans poTtatoi
to such colony, including an outfit Tor six month";
after their arrival. should be betrayed by fun,
to be raised from the labor OF each freed slave
:. Nothing could be more unwise than the i'm
mediate liberation of all the slaves in the State
comprehending both sexes and all ages, from tina
nf tender infancy 10 extreme old age. IL wOul,
esd to the most irightlul and fatal Consequences
ANY great change IN the condition Of society shoul
! | be marked by extreme care and clrcumsPectiOn.-
The introduction of slaves into the Colonies Wa
/
work Of their removal from the United States car
only be effected after the lapse OF great length
, | of time.
9. | think that a period should be fixed when Al
born after 1t should be free at specific age, a
born before It remaining slaves for lite. That perio,
would suggest should be 1855, or even 1850 +; TO
| on this and other arrangements of the system.
adopted l incline TO liberal margin as to ob
waite as many objections, and to unite as man,
opinions as possible, Whether the commence
ment OF the operation of the system be llit'
earlier or later, is not So important as that da,
should be permanently .nned, inom " hiob We coui,
look iorw ard with confidence, TO the final termi
nation OF Slavery within the limits OF the common
wealth.
10 Whatever may be the day fixed, whethe
1855 or sou or any other day, all born after 1t,
suggest should be free al the age OF twenty-five
but be liable aiterward TO be hired out under th
| authority OF the State, for a term not exceeding
three years. in order 10 raise sum sufficient 4
pay the expenses OF their transportation 10 th
colony, and 10 provide them an outfit for s.,
months after their srfiva there.
| II. Ii descendants OF those who are 70 be fret
at the age OF twenty five were also 10 be cousId
cred as slaves until they attained the same age
aud this rule were continued indefinitely as Il
time, il is manifest that Slavery would be perpet
ustcd instead Of terminated. To guard agslns
- 81.