The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-08-16
FREEDOM OF DISCUSSION IN KENTUCKY.

FREEDOM OF DISCUSSION IN KENTUCKY.
With the exception of little Delaware, Ken
tucky is the only slave State in which the right
of freely discussing and denouncing Slavery il
firmly maintained.
For this honorable distinction, Kentucky is
indebted chiefly TO two of her native sons, JOHN
q. Fee and CAssIUs NJ. CLAY. The former, the
son Of STAKEHOLDER, near Maysville, Ky, we
knew many years ago. When but youth, be
embraced Anti Slavery sentiments, and used TO
visit us in Cincinnati for the purpose of obtain
ing Anti-SIavcry tracts to circulate among his
neighbors. Subsequently becoming minister
of the Gospel, he perseveringly continued his
labors in the cause of Freedom. No danger
appalled, him, no temptation could bend his
firm purpose. His father, we believe, became
n convert, and emancipsted his slaves. One
and another began TO sympathze with him, I'M
til he organized a church, from which the prac-
ure in a slaveholding community. For eighteen
years, through good and evil report, he has
stood unwaveringly by his Principles, not shun-
ing to declare the whole truth, evading no re,
sponsbility, boldly confronting persecution.
The results are, the formation of several Anti
Slavery churches, and the establishment of an
Anti-Slavery colpOrteur system, which is every
day becoming more efficient.
For some years past, he has had the benefit
of the sympathy, and in many instances the
protection, of CAssIUs NJ. CLAY. A believer in
the gospel Of peace, Mr.. CLAY also believes that
1T is sometimes necessary to fight for peace
that there are emergencies when the sword may
prepare the way for the march of Truth. We
must confess our admiration, both of the moral
and physical heroism of the man. We recollect
him, when, alone, and unknown to the friends
of Freedom in the free States, he declared open
and uncompromising war against Slavery, and
in an exciting political conflict, against great
names and dominant influences, at the hazard
of political and social ostracism, he boldly urg-
ed the claims Of Emancipation. We printed
in our paper at Cincinnati the first speech
which gave him a name in the free States, and
from that time TO this hour, in his own way,
according to his own standard of policy, he has
advocated the Anti Slavery cause, as of SUI
preme importance. In all that period it has
occupied the first place in his thoughts and al.
fections. lie is no coward Harsh epithets
do not disturb him. He is not one of the ex-
planning, disclaiming, deprecating Anti-Slavery
men. When charged with Abolitionism, SO far
from resenting it, he glores in it. Although
agreeing in doctrine and policy with the Free
Soilers, or Independent Democrats, he never
stoops to the littleness of abusing Garrison or
Gerrit Smith, for the sake of appeasing slave
holding prejudice.
To-day, CAssIUs NJ. CLAY is the bulwark of
free discussion in Kentucky. While he lives,
there rs hope for Freedom in that State. The
gallant manner in which he indicated the
right of public discussion, against the menaces
of the Pro-Slavery Party in Rockcastle county,
has awakened the admiration of the generous
everywhere. :" John G. Fee shall go to Drip
ping Springs, and there speak his sentiments
as a free man. | intend to 20 with him, and
stand by his side; and if any man or set OF
men take him down, it shall be over my dead
body" Courage like this on the right side
must prevail. The message he despatched to
the People Of Rockcastle county was as calm
and decorous as it was determined
The Rev. John q. Fee and will address
the people Of Rockcastle, at Scaffold Cane, on
Saturday next. We invite you to share with
us IN the freedom of opinion and Of speech
and may God defend the right. / ask that you
will lay this letter before your meeting as be-
fore assembled, and that you viii have the
magnanimity to do me the Justice, whatever it
may be, which / deserve. am, with sentiments
of consideration" &c.
What he said he mould do, he did-Free Dis
cussion was gloriously vindicated.
Clay is a man of action and governing pow
er. His GOODNESS, selfpossession, courage, and
decision of character, with his fine presence
and digniGed carriage, would make him an adj
mirable incumbent of the Presidents chair in
the Senate. Whoever may be selected as the
standard bearer of the host of Freedom, which
is being marshalled for the contest of 1856, for
one, we should like to have the privilege of
casting vote for CAssIUs NJ. CLAY as Vice
President.
Fzume House, White Mountains.