The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1850-12-19
MR.. CLAY,S SPEECH.

Ine IoiloWing 10 th3 conclusion OF Mr..
Clay's speech delivered before the Legisia-
ture Of Kentucky. After remarking in
extenso upon the several features Of the
Compromise bill, he concludes thus-sen-
tments which, as an old friend Of ours re-
marked, deserve to be framed and hung up
in every house in the Union:-
Thus, Mr.. Speaker, trust and believe
that Of all the numerous threatening topics
connected with slavery at the commence
men, off the last session Of Congress, one
only remains TO create interest aud soIci.
iude, and tha, is the Fugitive Slave Bill.
Narrowed down TO that single ground, the
slave-hoIding states will occupy the van
tage position. The Constitution i. with
them; the law is with them; tho right is
with them; and if its execution should be
opposed or attempted to be thwarted BY
force, the State that makes such opposition
will place itself clearly, manIfes,iy, and
indisputsbly in the wrong. Occupying
such ground, the slave-holding states
may fcarlessy and consistently awai, the
issue. Il was not to be expected, nor did
expect that the measures adopted at the
las, session Of Congress would lead to au
immediate and general acquiescence on the
part Of the ultraists Of the North and South.
They had been impe!led by such vio!en.
and extreme passions, that il was too much
10 expect they would silently and promptly
admit their errors. and yield to what had
been done fer the best interests Of our com
mon country. Accordingly we perceive
that at the South second edition Of the
Hartford Convention has ngnin assembled
and is laboring TO stir up strife and conien,
ton; and in several Of the slave holding
states the spirit Of discord and discomfort j:
busiy engaged in its unpa,riotic work
But confidently anticipate that all their
mad efforts will be put down by the intelli
gence, patriotism and lovo Of the Union
Of the verv people of the slaye-s,n,es
And here Mr.. Speaker, let us make q
mo,neniary enquiry, as to what would
have been the condition Of the confederacy
on the subject of slavery, il, unhnppily, i
had been discovered Assuming that the
line could have been drawn between iht
slave holding and non slave-hnlding states
all north of the states OF Maryland, anC
Virginia, and al north Of the Ohio riveI
would have become foreign independ
ence. An Independent foreign power il
not bound TO surrender fugitive who take!
refuge within its jurisdiction. We have
recently seen this great internntiona
principle acted upon by the Sultan Of Tnr
kew, in the case of Kossuth and his Hun
garian companions, who took refuge in th
SnI,an's domnions. His refusal to surren
der them upon the demand Of Russia an
Austria was enthusiastically admired
approved and applauded bv all ofus. Nov
Mr.. Speaker, we have the Constitution, n
law, and the clear right on our side. Dis
solve the Confederacy, and creato ne'
laws, and the right will be transferred fror
us to others. may be asked. as ] hav
heen asked, whether would consent to
dissolution Of the Union. ! answer never
never, never! because can conc Give {
no possible contingency that would max
il for the interest and happiness Of tn
people to break up this glorious Conledero
cv, to separate il into bleeding and be!llgel
ent parts. Show me-what believe ln
possible TO show me--that there will b
greater security for liberty, life, prosperit
{ aud human happiness, in the midst Of la'
|, ring, jealous and wnrring independet
North American powers, than under III
, eagle of,he Union, and I will consent
!. its dissolution-I would WELD to it.
Congress were to usurp n power, which
am sure it never will, to abolish SLAYER
within the states; for in the contingenc
Of such an usurpation, We should be in
better condition MS to slavery (bad as
| would be) out Of the Union, than in III
, Union.
I Approximations have been entcrtaine
and expressed MS to the want, in futur
time, ofterrtorial scope for the slave pop'
la'ior. Ibelieve that very distant even
not likely to occur in the present or ne'
century. Whenever the vast unoccuple
wastes in Missouri, Arkansas, Lou'slnn'
Alabama. Florida and Texas, shall bo tu