The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-06
Tax NEW ABOLITION DIsuNION PLATFORM.
BOLD AvOWALs OF TREASON.

Letter from Cassius M. Clay.
WHAT SHALL THE FRIENDS OF REPUBLICANIsN DO?
To THE EDITOR OF THE N. Y. TRIBUNE
SrR-When some years ago had the honor OF re-
pying to an invitation OF portion OF the members
Of the New York Legislature to address them upon
the slavery question, was thought by many
fanatic because avowed that it was not question
about the African, but whether we ourselves
should ke freemen or slaves" Since then, what Is
there sacred in the constitution in treaties in laws
in guarantees Of liberty, which has not been desc
Grated!
And now at last those " compromises" by which
so many of us were humbugged-which were exalted
above the higher law of revelation and conscience,
are themselves trampled under foot-and by the re-
peal Of the Missouri restriction--by revolutionary
continent lies in the dust at the feet of the
saveoorats.
Thus far our repubcanism is failure. Shall we
"give up the ship?' Shall we return as the dog to
his vomit, and clothe ourselves once more in the
cast-oR rags Of despotism, admitting ourselves in
capable of selfgovernment and national existence
For my part, though sad-very sad! am not
Respondent. Let us use the reason God has given
us to remedy the past and make secure the future.
The violation OF Gods laws Is always wog We
committed q national crime in joining hands with
the shareholders to commit determined wrong
against the rights Of the African, and now in due
season the poisoned chalce is returned to our own
lips.
that we are to break away at once by revolution
from this criminal alliance; but do say that our
only salyation because the only true repentance is
In making the overthrow OF slavery our dominant
idea.
The one idea of the Shareholders which overrides
all principles and measures, is the rule OF slavery
So It must be met, not incidentaly-not occasion
hiy-not compromisingy, by the friends OF liberty,
but with a oneness of purpose and vvacity and "a
hatoism of will equal to theirs.
Does any man believe that in fair contest be-
tween liberty and slavery the wrong win triumph
I do not.
What then shall be done? l. In the first place,
punish the traitors, as an example for all future
times. I honestly believe that every man Of the
restriction deserves death. But there is no legal
way of infiotng the penaltythe halter, then, they
must escape. But one thing can be done-break
them on the wheel of public opinion. Let no man
social circle and disfranchse them practically for
ever. This seems hard, but the race of traitors
must die before we can live.
2. Let the elections, even for the most inferior
Offices, turn upon the repeal OF the Nebraska bill. or
it's amendment 80 that the people of the Territory
shall have the unqualified right to vote slavery out.
To dc this. the free trader must give up his free
trade-the tariff man his tariff manufacturers,
shipping internal improvement, temperance,
schoolsall must, for the present, be held in abey-
ance to the one great question Shall America be
free or slave2
5. Although think the free democracy are best
based to achieve the end, must tolerate and re-
cognize all parties who will aid allies. In Con-
gressional district where the free democrats have
supposed larger force, let the wings and democrats
re.nominate the free democratic ticket. And where
the wings or democrats have supposed larger
force let the free democrats re-nomnate the wing
or democratic ticket 80 as to defeat the services Of
all parties. In the Presidential Nominating Con-
vention, let delegate be sent from each Congress
sonal district in the Union of that party which has
the Congressman, and let them vote common can
didate Such candidate, thus nominated, can in
my opinion, be elected triumphantly in 1856. Let
that candidate-whether Benton, Seward or Hale,
or any other good citzen-be chosen without regard
to his locality in free slave State For our party
is truly natonal-theirs sectional
A. Let us count the cost. All are, imagine, now
convinced that the extreme South is anticipating
the dissolution Of the American Union, and have
been and now are using the nation all the time for
their own ultimate ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. We must,
therefore, calculate what is to be the result of
success. Suppose, then, republican elected Presi-
dent the issue above stated, and that the utras
of the South, in their madness, overawe-the more
thoughtful citizens, and secede from Congress, and
declare the Union dissolved. Then, either must
whip them in, or allow peaceable separation as
circumstances shall warrant. II we fight her, we
have the advantage of being the government de
faCto. We have the organiZation-the treasury
the navy and the army. IL victorious, we could
compel emancipation. If defeated, we would be
abundantiy able to maintain our national existence
against the world And with Canada Western Vir-
gnia, Kentucky, and Mississippi (Which would pro-
baby unite with us) annexed, we would form more
powerful people than even now.
In such event all the central portion Of North
America would DC ours; andsnOuld Northern MeXt.
co prefer our alliance she no doubt would, cot
ton grows upon oil sorts Of soils in given latitude.
we would even be able to raise abundantly that
plant, and the sugar cane, for which 30 many seem
now willing to sell their liberties.
Under the railroad system, we have less need to
regard boundaries by mountains and water courses
AID in that respect the lakes the St. Lawrence
and the Columbia, to us would be what the Missis-
sippi ia now While the oceans would wash us on
the northeast and west could well bide our time
to expand our dominions the feeble masters of
the South to the Gulf Of Mexico.
But the probabilities that the South would see
her only safety In the Union, and "acquesce" in
the manifest destiny" Of the triumph of human
rights, and begin in earnest to clear herself of
slavery; till at last we should become peaceably a
homogeneous people, and liberty and union" be
forever established.
But have already made this letter too long.
For myself am ready to complete the sacrifice
and triumph Of our fathers of l776 at all hazards
am for no union without liberty-if need be through
dissolution and war 81 stand by the declaration"
trusting ever, till repubicansm Is indicated and
the hberties OF mankind achieved
Very respectfully, your friend, c. Clay.