The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-22
[See first page.]
Henry Clay and Kentucky.

The speech of HENRY CLAY, delivered be-
fore the Legislature of Kentucky, on the 18th
instant, will be read with more than ordinary
interest. 1t comes seasonably. The attacks that
have recently been made by distinguished gen
temen, Of different political parties, upon Mr..
CLAY's course, during the late session of Con-
gress, were calculated to produce an impression
upon the public mind that will be entirely re-
moved by his triumphant and conclusive vindi-
cation. Coming to us through channel which
is usually inadequate to correct presentation
of so long a document, it bears few marks OF
inaccuracy or inperfection. The style is well
sustained throughout, and we hardly remember
any speech Of the distinguished Senator which
exhibits greater dignity of manner or more
marked felicity If diction. When we compare
Mr. BENTON, IT St. Louis, or that of Mr.
CLAYTON, at Wilmington--both very elabo-
rate and well considered orations-we can
not but think that, in the judgment of eve.
ry candid reader, it will easily bear off the
palm. In reading it our heart kindles with
the instructive admiration the old glow Of at
tachment and reverence, which animated the
great WING party in the days Of its early
struggles with Executive power, when, North
and South, it was guided by single, patriotic,
fraternal spirit, and occupied platform com
mon to all the friends of the Constitution and
the Union. And what WING can read il
without remembering with regret that there
have been such assemblages as the Conventions
Of Buffalo and Nashville to impair the gene
rous, sympathizing and national sentiment
which then bound together Northern WINGS
and Southern WINGS, with no element of jeal-
ousy or distrust to embarrass their cooperation
OF disturb their concoId2
Mr.. CLAY explains most satisfactorily the
reasons which induced him 10 acquiesce in the
policy of combining in single bill the several
measures Of compromise which We're presented
to the country in his Senate resolutions of Feb
ruary. In those resolutions were the elements
of the adjustment, in a proposed series of mea-
sures which, after much opposition on grounds
Of substance, and much more opposition on the
matter Of form, were finally embodied and en-
acted in the several statutes Of pacifcation
one Of the most memorable in our annals. Il
was on account of the bitter opposition which
manifested itself to the admission of California
as separate and distinct measure, that Mr.
CLAY waived his original policy in that behalf
considering that there was mere question OF
form involved, and more anxious for the pas
sage Of the measure than welded TO any par
ticular mode of securing its enactment.
When we review, in Mr.. CLAY's speech, al
and each of the measures which form the ad.
justment, we cannot but be struck with the ju.
dcal fairness with which he has made up the
case for the verdict of the country and of poster
ity. There is no sign Of sectional bias in any
sentence of his speech. IL is as free from preju-
dice and passion as lit were written to be reaC
an hundred years hence, and We're not ad.
dressed to living and acting men, born anC
reared under the institutions out Of which haC
grown the perils which the adjustment wai
designed to avert. We believe with tn,
Senator, that California can no longer be ;
theme TO create dangerous division-that M
longer can the Wilmot Proviso be insisted OF
for the territorial governments Of New Mexic'
and Utah that the people ofTexas will settle
the question of disputed boundary by an accep
lance of the proposals Of Congress; that TIN
South will not undertake TO re-establish tn,
slave trade in the District Of Columbia; ant
that the entire field Of slavery controversy an,
agitation is narrowed down TO the single topi
of the Fugitive Slave Law. On that subject
with the most deliberate and anxious examina
ton, we cannot but acquiesce in the conclu
sions Of Mr.. CLAY and we are persuaded tina
the right, under the Constitution, protected b
constitutional law, is too clear and dis
tinct TO admit OF denial or doubt. Men ma
differ, if they please, on the question whe
| Their or not the Constitution and Unio
ought 10 be preserved; but they cannC
honestly differ in their judgment as to tn
intent of the Constitution, and the con
struction of ts obvious obligations. The Cor
sttuton directs that the fugitive from labc
shall be surrendered on claim to his maste
This mandate is binding on the consciences
all men who profess allegiance to that Const
tuition. The objection aimed at that mandai
is an objection to the Consultation itself The
who oppose the law framed in accordance wit
it, and seek its repeal, seek the repeal Of Ii
Constitution. Upon this subject Mr.. CLs
speaks with an authority that gives weight
every syllable that he utters; and, when he say
that the law and the Constitution protect II
rights of the South. he utters a truth whic
every intelligent man must admit, and enforc'
an obligation which every honest man must r
spect.
We cannot leave this subject without e,
pressing our sincere admiration of the genero'
and manly part which has been acted by u
people Of KENTUCKY in the controversy tn