The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-03-05
Henry Clay on Slavery and the Union.

Henry Clay on Slavery and the Union.
The following passages from the debate in the
some idea of Mr.. Cloy's position 1t will be
seen that he makes reference TO his letter ON
emancipation, written from New Orleans the
last season, addressed to friend in kentucky,
and which We published at the time. Pending
the debate on Wednesday, Mr.. Clay said
have made no change. From the earliest
moment when could consider the institution
of slavery, have held and | have said, from
that dav down TO the present again and again
and shall 20 TO the grave with the opinion that
it is an evil, social and political evil, and that
it is a wrong as it respects those who ale sub
icct to the institution ofsavcry. These arc my
opinions. quarrel with no man for holding |
contrary opinions and it is perfectly true that |
in my own State. about this time last year, | |
addressed 4 letter to Il friend in which sug- |
gesed these opinions. and skct-hed out what |
appeared to me might be practicable plan for
the gradual emancipation Of slavery in Ken !
lucky. The letter chose to put on record.
knew at the moment when wrote that let
fer Mt New Orl ans, as well as | know at this
moment, that Il majority Of The people OF Ken
lucky would not adopt my scheme, nor proln
blv any project whatever of gradual emancipa.
ton. Perfectly well did know 1t; but, sir, l
was anxious that, fanny one of my postcrity, or
any human who comes alter me, should take
occasion to look into my sentiments and asccr-
tain what they were on this great institution OF
slavery, to put them on record there; and inel
fsctual AS | saw the project would be, | felt 1t
was a duty which | owed to myself, 10 my
country, and to my God, to record my senti-
ments-Thc State Of Kentucky has decided as
| anticipated the State would do. | regret it
but acquiescc in her decision. l wish it had
been otherwise; but l acqnioscc in it most
checrfully, and no man will hereafter see me
making any efforts there, or any where else, to
disturb ihc deliberate decision of the Common
wealth. made after full consideration.
Now | really should be much indebted TO the
honorable Senator Tor the sympathy which he
lelt for me, in respect to the recent attack,which
believe has been in the newspapers, whicl |
think has been laid on the tables Of all Of us.--
But. sir, desire the sympathy Of no man-ihc
forh.arance Of no man; desire to escape from
no responsibility of my public conduct on ac-
count my age, or tor any other canse ask for
none 1 am in q peculiar situation, Mr.. Presi-
dent, if you will allow me 70 say so-witloui
an earthly object of ambition before me stand
ing as it were, upon he brink Of elernilyi sep
ara,cd as TO Il great extent from all the cathy
| ties which connect mortal with his being du
ring this transiiory state
am here expecting soon to 20 hence, owing,nC
esponsibility but that which | owe TO my owl
conscience and 10 God. Ready to express my
opinions upon all and every subject am dc
termined TO do so, and no imputLtion. 10 ihrca
no menance, no application Of awe or terror t'
me, will be agailing in restraining ne from OK
pressing them. None none whatever. Ih'
honorable Senator, if he chooses, may deem m,
an abolitionist. &c it so. Sir, il there is awcl
, abused man in this country-if were o endea
vor to find out the man above all others tn
most abused 10y aholiioniss, it is the humble
E individual now addressing you. The honora
Die Senator from Mississippi docs not pcrhap
sec these newspapers rs do but they all pou
out from their walls Of wrath, bitterness which i
, perfectly indescrbable; and they put cpi,lct
, into their papers, accompanied with all the Bill
lingsgAie which they can employ, and lest
c should not see them, they invariably take occa
\ sion in these precious instances Of traduction t
send their papers to me.
: Now, sir, when l brought forward this prop
5 ostion of mine, which is embraced in these res
olutons, intended, so help me God, to propos
plan of doing equal and impartial justice t
: the South and to the North, SO far as ] can az
c prehend il and think i, docs so yet But hoy
has this effort been received by the ul,raists =
Why, at the North they cry out-and it is nc
: that paper alone to which the honorable Sens
I. tor from Iowa MR. Dodge refers, but man
other papers also-thcy all cry out, 1t il a
1t concession to the South And, sir, what is III
}, language Of the South They say, " 1t is II
. concession to the North" And | assure yot
y Mr. President, it has reconciled me very niue
in my poor efforts, TO find out the ultraists, o
the one hand and the other, equally raducc II
scheme propose for conccding every thing
Il their opponents.
:, The honorable Senator from Mississippi SAY
u have nor spoken in such fcrycnt language c
: this occasion, as did eleven years ago. Sir,
think have employed rs strong language
y Yves suited to the occasion. and the Office | ~
,. endeayoring to perform 10 both sections Of Il
Union. D tail 10 reprGach the North with
u violation OF constitutional duty with regard
y fugitive slaves Did fail to 90 as lar-lA
y, thcr, perhaps, than any ether Senator on Oh
loor-to rcproach her also, or TO remind be
i that this feeling was with her sentiment
~ philanthropy and humanity only, while With
it was feeling which involved the safety OF G
., properly, n question Of life and death Br
~ Sir, will not take up the time of the Senate
" further discussing this matter. The resolution
~ and the speech with which | supported ihei
are.both before the country, AID Of them q
&c country must Judge,
]. know no foes, no enemies, no opponent
either at the North or at the South. consid
Il us all one family all as friends, all a brelhrc
e | consider us all as united in one common de
N tiny and those efforts which shall continue
employ will he to keep us together as one fan
C lily, in concord and harmony and above all,
10 avoid that direiul day when one part OF 4
In Union can speak Of the other rs an enemy.