The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1849-03-23
Letter from Henry Clay. On lie
Emancipation Of Slavery ia Ky.
Mr,u a., p,~,s Eob ~ 1910

Dear Str:-Prior to my departure
from home in December last, in tehalf of
yourself and other friends, you obtained
from me promise to make public ex-
position ofmy views and opinions upon a
grave and important question, which, it
was then anticipated, would be much de-
bated and considered by the people Of
Kentucky. during this year, in conse-
quence of ihe approaching Convention,
summoned to amend their present Con
sti;ution. was not entirely 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 befel me, | have been de
layed in the fulfment of my promise,
which now proceed to execute.
The question, to which | allude, is
whether African Slavery as it now ex-
lists in Kentucky. shall be left to per-
petual or indefinite continuance, or some
provision shall be made in the new Con.
stitution, for its gradual and ultimate ex-
tinction2
A few general observations will suf-
flee my present purpose, without enter
ing on the whole subject of Slavery. un-
der all its bearings and in every aspect
of it. | am aware that there are respec-
table persons who believe that slavery is
a blessing, and that the institution ought
10 exist in every well-organized society.
and that it is even favorable to tine pres
ervation of liberty. Happily the number
who entertain these eXtravagant opin.
ons is not very great, and the time would
be uselessly occupied in an elaborate
refutation of them, would, however,
remark, that if Slavery be fraught with
these alleged benefits, the principle, on
which it 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 sub
iects Of slavery cannot be obtained; and
that in Africa, where they may entertain
as great preference for their color as we
do for ours, they would be justified in re.
ducing the white race TO slavery, in order
to secure blessings which that slate is
said to diffuse.
An argument, in support of reducing
the African race to slavery. is sometimes
derived from their alleged intellectual
inferiority TO the white races; but if this
argument he founded on fact, asit may
be, but which | shall not now examine, J
it would prove entirely too much. 1t
would prove that any white nation which
had made greater advances in civiliza-
ton, knowledge and wisdom than anoth-
er white nation, would have right to re-
duce the latter to a state of bondage
Nay, further, If the principle of subjuga-
ton founded upon intellectual superi,
ority be true, and be applicable to races
and to nations, what is to prevent its be.
ing applicable to individuals! And then
the wiSest men in the world have a right
to make slaves of all the rest of man.
kind!
If indeed we possess this intellectual
superiority profoundly grateful and thank.
ful to HIM who has bestowed it, we
ought TO fulfil all the obligations and du
ties which it imposes; and these would re-
quire us not to subjugate or deal unjustly
by our fellow men who are less blessed
than we are, but TO instruct, to improve
and to enlighten them.
A vast majority of the people of the
United States, in every section of them,
l believe, regret the introduction ofslave-
ry into the colonies, under the autbori-