The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-14
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MIR. Clay pronounces "detestable, !" and talks with
horror OF "the oortges which pass along oul
avenues OF mahaelel human beings But why
Tins sudden outbursi OF indignation against a
lawful commerce Is il dishonorabe to sell
merchandise Has not Mr.. Clay himself pro-
claimed that is property which the law makes
property" Why does he dishonor the Wash
ington man-merchants Is il base TO buy an
sell human beings Mr.. Clay forgets that this
"detestable trade" is, in fact, supported by the
gentlemen breeders who sell, and the gentlemen
planters who buy. But this trade which is SC
detestable," and these coueges which are SC
horrible on very little scale, are now TO assume
| national importance, protected and sanctioned
by the government OF the whole Republic
Such, SIR is the magnanimous compromise
which so many of our wing and democratic poll
hclans, now that the elections are OUer and the
solemn pledges made in favor of the Wlmot pro-
viso supposed to be forgotten are willing to ac-
lcept as mighty boon to human rights, and a
mighty barrier against the further encroachments
toi the slave power. In my ears the only Ian
guage addressed by these eight resolutions, TO the
North, is the cry Of the horseleech-GIvE, GIVE
No test can detect in them, no microscope can
make visible the most minute concession 10 hui
man hherty.~ Not ese- siagle inch af Territory
does the proposed compromise secure from slavery
that is not already rescued from its power Not
one single human being will it save from bondage
The extension of the Missouri line 10 the Pa
cifc would at least have rendered all on the
north OF 1t free soil; but says Mr. Clay, most
truly although with frankness almost insulting
10 the North, say, sir, in my place here, that ii
Is much better Tor the SouTH that the phote subject
should be open on both sides an Imaginary line Of
go 30, than that slavery should be interdicted
of
or erclude south Of go 90, at the pW of the
people ~
But, Mr.. Clay exclaimed, "No earthly power
could induce NE TO vote for the positive introduce
ton OF slavery south or north of that line and
at this heroic avowal the galleries applauded.
But the galleries are not deeply versed in South
ern tactics. Mr.. Clay need apprehend no coer-
cion TO extort his reluctant vote for purpose no
one desires or demands The South have, with
one voice, denied the power of Congress either
to prohibit or establish slavery in the territories
4 Said MI. King of Alabama IN reply, & We~asf
no act of Congress TO carry slavery anywhere
believe we tCongress> have just as much RICH
to prohibit slavery in the territories as to carry
there. We have no right to do one or the other
Other Southern Senators avowed their concur
renee in the doctrine advanced by Mr.. King
Hence Mr.. Clay's defiance of any power oil
earth to make him do what nobody wants him t.
do, was, at least rhetorical flourish
But il this pretended compromise is as | con
tend, a full and unqualified surrender of all TIT
demands of the North why did certain ultra Sen
ators object to il : A show of resistance nigh
have been deemed polite as tending 10 make
northern men suppose there must be something
granted to them, although they could not tel
what. 1t may also suit the party purposes OF
some, to prolong the present agitation, that they
may manufacture more patriotism for the south
ern market; and lastly, if any really wish TO
form separate republic, in which they expect TO
have more power than they now enjoy they will
of course reject all concessions, however great
But ii is incredible that the mere Shareholders The
men who are only anxious to open new markets
for the sale of their stock, and to acquire more
votes in Congress, should be averse TO a PROPOSE
ton that offers them all they have ever asked,
and all that Congress can give them, with the ex-
ception Of the suppression of The right of petition
and the censorship of the Post-Otfice, and these
are not now in issue.
}, But we are told that unless we yield to the de-
mands of the shareholders, they will dissolve tn,
Union. And what are these demands, which Mr.
Clay admits we have full right TO refuse! Why
; that small body of men, not probably ex
ceeding lOO,OOO,* shall be at liberty, for tbei
: own aggrandizement, to blight with the curse o
slavery our vast possessions south of SO degree
80 minutes, and whatever portion OF Mexico
shall hereafter found convenient TO seize
Thus at time when cruelty and oppression ar,
elsewhere giving way before the increasing intel
ligence and morality OF the age, we, the Mode
Republic, are to be the instrument of extending
; over illimitabe regions now free, despotisn
more accused than any other known througbou
the civilized word-a despotism that not only
ensaves the body, but brushes the intellect
through which man is enabled TO distinguish
good from evil--a despotsm that annihllates all
rights, sets at naught all the affections of the heart
and converts being made in the image of God
into souess machine Tell me not of ereep-
tions-of some lucky chatel, like Mr.. Clay's
negro referred TO in his speech, who in his mas
ter's well-stored kitchen, hugs his chain, laughs
and grows fat He is but vendible commodity,
and to-morrow's sun may behold him toiling un-
der the lash his wife given TO another, and his
children with pigs and mules sold at auction 10
the highest bidder Tell me not of exceptions
I,tthe kind owner may at any moment be ex-
changed by death or debts for the hardened re-
morseless task-mastcr, and the law sanctions
every atrocity perpetraed upon the slavcf No,
my dear SIT, ! cannot give my CONSENT and /
hope it will not be given for me by my represen-
tative, to curse vast empire with such an insti-
| tuition, and TO doom unborn millions 10 It's unut-
terable denominations, even TO save our southern
brethren from the sin and folly OF founding new
Republic O. upon the denial of human rights,
and OF rendering themselves by-word pro-
verb and reproach among the nations of the
earth. ! value the favor OF my God, and the sal
walton of my soul too much to take part or lot in
such great wickedness. Most fully do | agree
with Mr.. Clay, that Congress has no more con-
stitutional authority over slavery in the States,
| 4ba, in the Island Of Cuba and most fully do
agree with the admission in his speech, but moi 10
be found IN his resolutions, of the right OF Con-
gress tn exclude slavery from the conquered ter
ritores Hence in my opinion, the refusal to
exercise this right even to preserve the Union,
would be CRIME in the sight OF God and man.
entertain no apprehension of the severance OF
the Union for this cause, but should the few
shareholders and the vast multitude of Southern
people who have no interest in slavery, in their
madness separate from us,,upon them will rest
the sin, and upon them and their children will
| fall its punishment Let us do what God COM
mands, and leave to HIM the consequences.
Yours truly,
WILLIAM JAY.
"A late census in Kentucky reveals the fact,
that the Shareholders in that State own on an ave-
| uous alavaa ebouId tbis ayerape be appled 10