The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-28


No man ever had more devoted aud dis,nter-
estsd friends, than HENRY CLAY once could
boast Of among the Southern Wings, who
though conscious Of his shortcomings on many
points, yet chung TO him, while hope remained
thst he would nos permit Ais speculative views
on the slavery question to Interfere with the
great interests Of his section.
But his recent course on this vitaI question
has severed the ties SO long subsisting--s'is
own hand has cut the bond--and many OF those
most devoted to him once, now renounre and
repudiate tho advocate Of emancipation and
coIonization---the champion Of Frce-soii--t'x
open assailant Of the perpetuity of the institu-
ton Of slavery.
In the whole Southern country MIR. CLAY
has never had I'm ADLER and q stauncher advo-
cato than Dir. SnyrHE, the talented aud elo-
quent editor ofthe Augusta Repnblic--one who,
hoping against hope, urged his claims TO the
nomination against those of ZACHARY TAYLOR,
when those so noisy in laadng Mr.. CLAY noU,
succeeded in superseding him by the old mill
tary chieftain While there could be even the
shsdow Of doubt rs to Mr.. CLAY's desertion
Of his section, and Of he great foundation Of all
ia prosperity and power, Mr.. SAYrHE remained
true to him---but when the mask, carelessly
worn so long, was dropped at last, and the Ia
vored son Of the South sought TO plant deadly
thrust into the very vitals of the mother that
bore him, and to shake down the pillars Of the
social ediice Of the South, the editor OF the Re
public, with host Of other true-hcarted South
ern Wings, renounced all communion with
such politician aud such policy.
With the spirit and the tone Of one speaking
Of former friend, and grieving over his delin-
4 ouepcies--far more ia sorrow than in anger
this staunch Southern editor thus announces a
.olemn truth, the utterance of which will find
an echo in the hearts of Southern Wings who,
ike him, have trusted in HESRY CLAY, and find
that their duty to themselves, to their children,
and to their homes, will allow them no longer
to aid in strengthening the great right hand OF
Abolition.
Mr.. CLAy.--No one has admired Mr.. Clay
more than we have. But We could not hest
tate in choosing between him and the rights OF
our own section
The Macon Telegraph says
"In his late speech before tae legislature OF
Kentucky. says the Petersburg Democrat, Dir.
Clay predicted, with exulting foresight, the
aday when the density of the population Of the
United States would be so great that free labor
would be cheaper than slave labor, for then the
negro would be set Free" An abundance OF
testimony proves that Mr.. Clay is the most de-
terminsd and dangerous foe of slavery"
We cannot comprehend the devotion to the
South Of those Southern presses, who are con-
stantly praisirg Mr.. Clay for the possession OF
every virtue which can ndorn the patriot. Pat
riotism requires Of Southern men to stand by
Southern lights. Ii Mr.. Clay is homes ~ OPP
posed TO the institution of slavery, be it so, but
Il he the man for the South? Can we look to
him as deIiverer when some of his heaviest
blows are aimed at our institution. Southern
men, who support Mr.. Clay, nerve his mighty
arm to plunge a sword into the bosom Of the
South. Is that fidelity to home and our OWL
section!