The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-04-15
COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, THURSDAY, APRIL Is, 1852

guest of the Crescent City, / feel reminded u
If the circumstance that with that people d
which bears the crescent upon its banners, II
The word hospitality is equivalent to protec- t
ton against mischief and injustice. There I
to receive guest is as much as to pledge
word and deed to protect that guest, who, by !
crossing the Threshold of his guest, be-
comes sacred to him. hope, gentlemen,
that the citizens of the Crescent City will not
refuse to grant the same protection against
injustice to man who did not intrude him
self upon your hospitality, but became your
guest because you have been pleased to in
vite him to become your guest.
Upon this ground claim here, in the face
of high Heaven, your protection, not against
private misfortune-that can bear-but a.
gainst public injustice have to complain of.
Though am in my conscience convinced
that the views and principles ! advocate are
not only well founded and true, and if sane
toned by the people Of the United States,
would be highly beneficial to my own be-
loved nation, to all oppressed nations in Eu
rope, and in general to the cause of national
freedom, independence and republican self
government; but though I am also in my
conscience convinced that the acknowledge
ment of my principles is advantageous and
| necessary to the most vital interests of the
United States themselves. and especially to
the Southern States-whereas the repudia-
ton of my principles, | am convinced, will
and must bring home to the United States
manifold dangers, complications, political as
we'll as commercial, nay, even war-stlll
do not complain of seeing my views opposed
that is a necessary consequence of the ma
ture and of the fragilities of man. There
was vet never a truth which would not have
been opposed. The Divine doctrines of our
Saviour were opposed, and himself crucifed
for preaching them, and am sorry to say
it, to-day, again if he would come to the
world he would be crucifed again.
Il / therefore do not complain for sharing
for my doctrines and for my own self the
common doom of all humanity, Let me be
let my opponents attack my logic-let
them upset my arguments if they can-let
: them calumniate my character, relying upon
truth and the impartial Judgment of history,
, will stand the blow Nay, if the cause
/ which I plead be not just, may it perish, and
: [ together with it. / would rather this lane
3. of mine were whitening, and my tongue
D dying out, than to defend an unjust cause.
t No, it is not opposition that l claim YOU
d protection against, but the foul-play of gros
: Misrepresentation of my principles, and fal
l. sifcation of facts, by which my enemies con
d tinue to mislcad public opinion, and to di
e vert the generous instinct of the people
which, if not misled by Justification of facts
IS could not support my cause, because tina
rs great, noble and uncorrupted heart which
Of throbbing in the PEOPLES breast. never fail
n to be with the right.
Of 1 believe, gentlemen, that it is contrary t
at the respect due to the soveign people of thi
es country to mislead its judgment and its a
he fections by submitting to it facts in falls
I'd light That is not fair play, gentlemen
v That is not only an umeritted injury to m
ar but disregard of almost an offence to you
es selves Falsehood is an habitual vice of de
10 potism. Lei Kings and Emperors and Ca
al like to employ it; but Republicans, to wha
"a ever party they belong, should feel too prot
out Of party considerations to descend to Il
,al low means of classifying facts.
lat It is against such stratagem of my en-
be mics that protest-before God and the pc
he pie publicly here; and being your invite
I'll guest, having crossed upon your invitatio
oh the Threshold of your hospitality, 1 clai
re- the protection of your congenial generosit
of- Gentlemen, there is nothing noble in t
red character of free people than the suscep
all bility about the honor of its distinguish
in citizen who have well merited of their faith
ore land. Woe to the people which does I
ian honor its great men; woe to the peol
We which does not feel an offence given to
ool- great men as if it had been offended itself.
but The honor of good and great citizens is
Ter party question; it is and should be alw;
by considered as common national proper
err A people which would not consider it Il
the would never honor great men, because
would not deserve to have them.
Gus 1t was this truly republican sentiment
out on which some enemies of mine played
the graceful trick, with the design of prevent
# a warm, cordial welcome to the poor e1
tas- whom you, in your congenial sympathy
see the noble cause of his country, invited to
low, Joy the public honors Of your city's ho'
oean tality.
of Give me the privilege to close that II
r an ter before the great tribunal which [ h
s of the honor to address. claim that pr
rom lege because 1 am wronged.
/ his When in Washington City, I had the /
the or to see Mr.. Henry Clay The distingu
H. ed gentleman. / understand holds a
be- place in the affections and in the regards
ldig- this community, and nobody on earth
Oun- more heartily join in these your sentin
tates than l myself. I fear nobody but the
mis- mighty God-therefoTe this tongue of n
! en- will never be sullied by hatteriug a me
'ople man. 1t is therefore not with the purI
to gain your or his favor, but because
deep true that I say, that Ispoke with full h
lib in your affections and your regards for |
free ry Clay. God preserve his life. We
'hich met. The memory of our meeting rem
sion, deeply engraved on my mind. 1t ";
those melancholy one, on account of the condl
over Of his health. When about to part
re- standing erect with the youthful energ,
try" his mind, neither broken by sickness no
7hich burden Of age, laid his hands upon my
prin- and gave me the blessing, Gas he said "
the melancholy smile,) the blessings Of d
nited man for myself and for my bleeding ia
and land. and we parted both with aifectio
e not trust-and besides with deep respect.
Ia to IN the course Of our interesting inter
emily he entered with wonted energy upon
gov tics. and advanced some views with VII
egin- al not agree but so great and sincere
when the respects I bear to him, that W9ul'