The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-03-21
LETTER FROM GRACE GREENWOOD.

New BRIGHToN, Pa, Feb Is, 1850.
To the Edior ofthe National Era:
DEAR SIR: All the world is talking of Mr.
Clay's late speech in support Of his oonciliatory
resolutions and So trust, shall not wholly COM
promise my womanly position by slightly re-
marking upon it. | would limit myself to that
portion relating to the abolition of the slave trade
in the District of Columbia. rejoiced over this
with much Of hope. The advocates and cham
pions of "the peculiar institution" are becoming
ashamed of its disgraceful contingencies and con-
sequences if not convinced Of its inherent wrong
and inhumanity. MIR. Clay would not have the
abominable traffic. broken up, by no means,
though he quotes, and by quoting in some sort
endorses, Mr.. Randolph's somewhat severe ex-
preston No, he would only have it banished
the narrow limits of the District, but not afar of
for he kindly points out to his friends of the slave
trading fraternity the neighboring cities of Al
exandria, Petersburg, Richmond, Annapolis, and
Norfolk, as suitable places wherein to establish
their tails and their prisons" The cities men
TONED will no doubt feel due gratitude for this
mark of the honorable Senator's distinguished
consideration
Speaking of Irregular traders in slaves" Mr.
Clay announces with much tenderness the melan-
choly fact that "they are not looked upon with
particular favor at the South n-that they are,
on the contrary, sometimes unjustly excluded
from social intercourse, on account of the odium
attached to their business"
Alas for preudices there is one equally I'M
lust excluding convicts, headsmen, and hangmen,
from polite circles.
Mr. Clay would have the slave trade done
the manhood and outrages the principles of all
true republicans-not because il mocks at and de-
fes the God of Freedom and the Father of all
mankind-but because the feelings Of gentle
men are too often shocked by seeing slaves in
chains, and in long trains driven down the Ave-
nue. from the Capitol to that house where resides
the President of free Republic
BY gentlemen" the illustrious speaker could
not have meant Southerners, who TO the manner
born, are not often troubled with a refined phi
lanthropy, or morbid moral sensibility, but
strangers travellers-exiles and refugees from
flash with indignation, whose cheeks blanch with
horror, whose lips curl with inexpressible scorn,
at such sights of barbarous oppression and
brutal cruelty in the capital of the only free
nationn
For this came forth the world-renowned states
man, in the ripeness of his glory, in the venera-
bleness Of his age, and stood in the perious
breach, and did not tremble. lie had done the
state some service-might he be heard in the Ma
tional Councils once more9 And he was heard,
with benign liberation, even as though he were
making his last speech and dying confession while
he lifted up his voice, (but not too high,) and
boldly called upon the nation to put away her
shame and her crime, or rather suggested the
"expediency Of removing the unfortunate cause
of this unjust reproach as far of as Alexandria
Petersburg, Richmond, Annapolis and Norfolk