The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-04-10
NUMBER 50.
MR.. CLAY AND THE MEN OF ONE
IDEA

| SlNS anu OulN OppO>e any OF the
power or jurisdiction of Slavery, Trusting to
natural causes to work the overthrow of the
detested institution; a third sect deprecates all
Political action, but is even more sweeping
than the others in its hostility, insisting ctcn
that the Federal Union shall be dissolved in
order TO rid the Free States of the guilt and
shame Of their present connection. These
three sects, the last vehement and unsqaring
in its denunciations Of the two former, when
two maintain for the present precarious and
difficult alliance, all unite in denouncing as
ro-Slavery all who do not wear their badges,
follow their ways, and endorse the wisdom Of
their respective ineulcations.
in the State of Kentucky there Las lived
for more Il an half century, a man not un-
known to history named HENkY CLAY. lie
was young and poor attorney, without rcpu
tation or influence, save in a narrow sphere,
at the time when, more than fifty years az
Kentucky first undertook to form State Con-
stitution and set up for herself Her people
were nearly all, like himself Virginians, brought
up amid Slavery, many of them SHAREHOLDERS,
and naturally inclined to regard the instiiu-
ton with favor Its evils had not then been
developed and exposed as they have since
been. The African Slave-T rade was in pros
porous activity, sanctioned by the public law
of Christendom, and participated in by men
eminent for mercantile standing and rictv.
There was no Abolition party, and had been
no instances Of extensive Abolition, except in
St. Domingo, now Hayti, where the result, ~
then represented and understood, was well
calculated to fiji every mind with aversion
and horror. Yet, in the face of nil these in
fuences Henry Clay did not hesitate to stand,
before the People of Kentucky an enemy uf
i, 80 !
the Constitution then to be formed lie WI.
overruled and voted down. Short-siehtcd AMI
mistaken calculations of personal interest and
consequence prevailed over abstract consider
ations 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 are
now very pal pable. Kentucky has ten Repre-
sentatives in Congress- while Ohio, which hal
not at that time hundred white families, did
not begin to attract immigrants ill some wears
afterward, and which is far inferior in climate
and other natural advantages, has twenty -Onr
Members, or more than double the number of
her elder neighbor. And this disparity is CIV
cry year increasing.
Mr.. Clay, perceiving the question thas de
cided against him and the opportunity gone
by, did not see fit to persist in an agitation
of which he could discern no utility. He con
formed to the settled policy of the State. Joil+
in his private capacity Of citizen ana in the
public one of Representative and Senator.
which he successfully attained, and in which
he served many years with unsurpassed emf
nence. Ye; in 1927, in an Address before the,
American Colonization Society. he !'cie;fd;ctr
in the most emphatic mariner, hi: avt.sic2 to
Slavery as unwise and wrong, and his ardent
hoTes of its Ultimate extinction.
| In 1884 a formidable conspir7c5, whirh
had long been silently concocting, reached tine
point of development. The Slave Powe~-
by which we mean THAI influence in our Union
which regards Slavery as a signal blessing, 20
be extended and perpetuated at all hazaids-'
had long been intriguing for the Annexation
of Texas. The death of Gen. Harrison and
the breaking up of the Wing Cabinet hid
thrown the Executive Government completely
into the hands of this Power. The Accident
al President was its tool John C.. Calhoun, its
master spirit, was Secretary Of State its in
struments filled the high places Of the LAID. 4
Treaty of Annexation was negotiated and tho
secret conspiracy became an open struggle.
The official Instructions from the State De
partment to our agents in Texas expressly al
hrmed the strengthening and perpetuatIn. Of
Slavery 10 he a chief end of Annexation I lie
negro-growing and negro-dCaling interest was
everywhere innamcd TO avarice ard mad
ness by the prospect of new markets and high
prices for their great staple. 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 TO
Gus of Annexation interest and the great slave
mart of the Union. He there perceived that
a perilous crisis was at hand. He decided on
the course prescribed to to HIM by Patriotism
and the love of Freedom. Fie put forth
calm, decided forcible argument GgGnst An
nexation in every shape. His name and his
great influence were given to the Anti-Tcxas
cause That it was 0arely over-bOrno in the
succeeding contest was no fault of ais. Had
those who nor profess snch zeaioas and all
absorbing hostility to the Extension Of the
Slave Power in our Union, then acted with
any approach to consistency with this prctence,
instead of going in (part OF them directly and
openly, the residue obliquely) with Calhoun.
Tyler, Walker & Co. 10 elect one Of the car
hest and most thorough champions of Annex
alton and Slave Extension to the Presidency
the history Of the last four years would not
have been written in blood, and our Govern
ment, instead OF owing seveDiy-fve to one
hundred millions Of dollars, would now be out
of debt, after devoting many millions to need
full River and Ilarbor Improvements But
while every State in which the Slave Power
realf? predoininated, voted for Polk rs the
champion of Annexation, New York, Indiana
Maine, Illinois, &c, were carried for him by
means of con6den: and persistent assertions
that Mr.. Clay was rs mach an AnnexationiSt
as 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 most vociferous 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 earnest entreaty for Peace, until now that
the People Of Kentucky have decided, with
out a shadow of interference on his part, to
hold Convention for the revision Of their
State Constitution. That Convention is soon
10 be chosen. Ii Of course presents a crisis III
which an effort may be made against the con
tinuance Of Slavery without probability of