New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1849-03-31


tive offensive action another preferring to stand
on the defensive and only oppose any extension
of the power or jurisdiction oil Slavery trust
ing 10 natural causes 70 work the overthrow oil the
defeated institution third sect deprecates all
Political action, bot is even more sweeping than
the Others in its hostility insisting even that
the Federal Union shall be dissolved In order u
nd the Free States OF the guilt and shame OF their
present connection. These three sects, the last
vehement and uns pairing in its denunciations ofthc
two former which two maintain for espresent a
precarioas and difficult alliance, all unite in de-
nouncing as Pro Slavery all who do not wear their
badges, follow their ways, and endorse the wisdom
of their respective inculcatlons.
In the State Of Kentucky there has lived for
more than half century a man not unknown
70 history named HEsRY CLAY He was a
young and poor attorney, without reputation or
influence, save IN anarrow sphere at the time
when, more than fifty years ago, Kentucky hrst
undertook to form State Constitution and set up
fr herself Her people were nearly all, like him
self, vrginisns, brought up amid Slavery, many Of
them Shareholders, and naturally inclined to re-
gard the institution with favor Its evils had not
then been developed and exposed as they have
since been. The African Slave-Trade was in pros
porous activity sanctioned by the public law Of
Christie ndom, and participated in by men eminent
for mercantile standing and piety. There was no
Abolition party, and had been no instances OF ex-
tensive Abolition. except In st. Domingo, now
Hayt, where the result, then represented and
understood. was well calculated TO fill every mind
with aversion and horror. Yet, in the face of all
these influences. Henry Clay did not hesitate to
stand before the People OF Kentucky an enemy Of
Slavery and an advocate Of It's extinction by the
Constitution then to be formed He was overruled
and voted down. Short-sighted and mistaken cal
culations Of personal interest and consequence pre-
vailed over abstract considerations Of Humanity
and enduring Policy. Slavery was recognized
and shielded by the State Constitution, and no
provision made for its termination The effects Of
that vote now very palpabe. Kentucky has
ten Representatives in Congress, while Ohio,
which h ad not at that time hundred white families.
did not begin to attract immigrants till years
afterward, and which is far inferior in climate and
other natural advantages, has twenty one Mem
bers, or more than double the number of her elder
neigbbor. And this disparity is every year in
creasing.
Mr. Clay, perceiviag the question thus decided
against him and the opportunity gone by did not
see fit to persist in agitation of which he could
discern no utility. He conformed to the settled
policy of the State, both in his private capacity OF
citizen and in the public one Of Representative
and Senator, which he successfully attained and
in which he served many years with unsurpassed
emnence Yet in 1897, in AN Address before the
American Colonization Society, he reiterated IN
the most emphatic manner his aversion to Slavery
rs unwise and W rong, and his ardent hopes of its
ultimate extinction.
In 1894, formidable conspiracy which had
loag been silently concocting reached the point of
development. The Slave Poverty which we
mean that influence in our Union which regards
Slavery a. a signal blessing, to be extended and
perpetuated at all hazards-had long been in
triguing for the Amer alton of Texas. The death
Of Gen. Harrison and the breaking up of the Wing
Cabinet had thrown the Executive Government
completely into the hands of this Power. The
Accidental Pre- sident was its tool John c. Cal
houn, its master spirit, was Secretary of State
Its instruments filed the high places of the land
A Treaty Of Anne Ration was negotiated, and the
secret conspiracy became an open struggle. The
oiHcal Instructions from the State Department to
our agents in Texas expressly affirmed the
Strengthening and perpetuatng of Slavery to be
chief end OF Annexation. The negro-growing
and negrodealing interest was everywhere in
famed to avaricious madness by the prospect Of
new markets and high prices for their great sta
pie. Throughout the South hardly voice was
raised against the nefarious scheme.
Yes, there was ONE. Henry Clay spent the
Winter of 1884, in New Orleans the focus of
Annexation interest and the great slave mart
Of the Union. He there perceive ed that a perilous
crisis was at hand. He decided the course
prescribed to him by Patriotism and the love of
Freedom. He put forth a calm, decided forcible
argument against Annexation IN every shape.
His name and his great influence were gwen 10
the Anti T.xas cause. That 1t was barely over
borne in the succeeding contest no fault of his.
Had those who ssr profess such Jealous and all
absorbing hostility to the Extension OF the Slave
Power in our Union then acted with any approach
10 consistency with this pretence, instead OF going
in part of them directly aud openly the residue
obliquelyl with Calhous, Tyler, w lker h Co. to
elect one OF the earliest and most thorough cham
pions OF Anne xation and Slave Extension to the
Presidency. the history of the last four ears would
not have been written in blood, and our Govern.
ment, instead of owing Seventy-fve to One Hun
dred Millions of Dollars, would now be out OF debt
after devoting many Millions to neediul River aud
Harbor Improvements But while every State in
which the Slave Power really predomnstes voted
FOR Polk as the champion Of Annexation New
York Indiana, Maine. illinois, &c were carried for
him by means OF confident and persistent asseE-
lions that Mr.. Clay as much an Annexstionist
n Polk and as much devoted to the Interests
of Slavery And the men who effected this result,
and thus brought upon us Texas, with ITS train Of
Foreign War and National Debt, are now mos;
vcciferous for Free Soil
Mr.. Clay has since remained in retirement
hardly speaking OF public affairs except once IN
condemnation of the War on Mexico and in earn
est entrsaty for Peace. until now hat the People
ofKsntucky have decided. without shadow OF IN
reference on his part to hold Convention for the
rsvison of their State Constitution That Con-
venton in soon 10 be IL OF course presents
off,,x ha IA nSf