Southern patriot. (Houston, Chickasaw County, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1849-07-25

lNeA ~ tiuhNi " AAI uNNDAotNN no i
abolition in the Convention which |
formed the constitution ofkentueky, |
many years ago. BY his addresses |
and efforts in behalf Of the Coloni- |
cation Society, he kept alive the spir-
il of mawkish philanthropy-which |
was the seminal principle ofaboli-
tion-and identified himself with
the opponents of our domestic insli-
tutions. His course in Congress was
a constant effort to maintain middle
ground upon this dangerous and ex-
citing question Two years ago
however he first took an open and
decided stand on the side Of the en-
emies Of slavery Among the first
of all our public men, he came out in
the famous Lexington Resolutions,
and his speech in their support, in
opposition TO the acquisition Of any
more slave territory. This speech
did more than any thing, before or
since, 10 fan the flames of abolition
| The acknowledged head Of q powerful
party-the boosted Great Embodi-
ment of its principles-his name,
his opinions, and his eloquence, had
an irresistible influence upon count
less thousands, and induced them to
adopt doctrines most pemicious in
principle, and destructive to the best
Interests Of one half Of the Union.
Himself a southern man, and a
Shareholder he thus weakened our
delences, and strengthened the power
of our assailants, TO an incaleuable
degree, All the puritanic bigots Of
/ New England, and the boisterous
political tricksters ofthe North, were
encouraged and inyigorated in their
crusade against Sothen institutions,
when they saw the white plume oil
HAIRY ofthe West" thus waveing
Iproudlyin their van.
But Mr.. Clay's course not only had
Its influence in the Free States-it
produced a more dangerous move.
ment near at home. Kentucky is
one Of the outposts Of the South-a
frontier State towards the regins oil
our opponents. Here Mr.. CLAWS
doctrines. and tea chings at once took
root--and sprung into vigorous life
| Well nigh half the people Of his
State are now in favor Of Emancipa
tion, and o convention is shortly to bt
held to alter their Constitution, so as
to provide for the extinction of slave
ry in their borders. II is really al
arming to observe the movements
that are lhus being made against tn,
safety and permanence Of our institu
tons. Let the tide Of lanaticisn
once break down the safe guards tina
! now exist in Kentucky, and il vii
create crease more destructive
and irresistible than any on the Mis-
sissipp. Mr.. Clay is doing ever,
thingit his power 10 produce thii
consummation. His recent New Or
leans letter to a Lexington friend dc
velopes and advocates the most oh
iectionable system Of abolition eve
: recommended in our country-on,
that might free Kentucky from he
slaves, but would pour them upoT
her more Southern sisters, to be KEEP
r in reserve for greater evils and NOR
: penicous interference in the future
: In tll this conduct, Mr. Clay hat
! proved unfaithful to the section Of tn
: Union in which he was born, an,
has raised paricidical hand agains
her mist vital interests besides dis
, honorng and defaming her character
! He can only receive the execra
: ton d every true-hearted son Of tn
South,
The course Of Col. Benton is nc
so obnoxious as that Of Mr.. Clay
o Until within a short time, ne ma
{ given no aid or countenance to tn
o enemies Of the South. He has ney
s. err, as fair as we know advocate
l. emancipation in any of the souther
l. States. But recently he has pursue
y a line Of conduct which has grleve
e many Of his oldest and warme.
If friends. Instructed by the Legisli
e ture Of Missouri, 10 vote against th
!. prohibition of slavery in the ne
ID Territories, he refuses TO obey an
Ic makes an appeal to the poop.
lie against those instructions. In
IS speech; lately delivered, he has CON
lie out in advocacy Of the doctrins oftf
lgl WAmot Proviso, and the denunci
ID ton ofihe further extension of slav
l. ry. BY so doing, he has take
S. ground against the South, on tn
10 l0ueston. and so powerful is his DO