Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-07-26
From the Richmond (Ky) Messenger
Cassius M. Clay Becoming Rampant md
Openly neutrality-suspicious. Brewing In
Kentucky.
MouNT VERNON, Ky, July 2, 1856

Kentucky.
MOUNT VERNON, Ky, July 2, 1855.
Col. JoHNsoN--Dear Sir: On Friday last |
listened to one of the most remarkable as well as
one of the most inhammatory speeches ever
heard. II had been published for some time that c.
M. Clay was to address the people at Busk Creek
meeting house, in this county, on the Kansas and
Nebraska bill; and having desire to hear that
subject discussed, went to hear hm--but to my
disappointment ! heard but little upon that sub
ject, Il only being alluded to by Mr.. C. in con-
nection with the mob proceedings, las he termed
them) Of the Mssourians in the late elections
there; which seemed, from the vehement manner
that he spoke, was only done in order to arouse
the passion Of his followers TO put them in order
to receive what followed
He at once took up the slavery question, and
after depicting the awful sinfulness of the insttu-
ton, and its blighting influence upon the CON-
munity, and contrasting lin the most demagogue.
ing manner) the most hourshing part Of some
OF the free States with some ef the most worn
out portions of Virginia and South Carolina, he
said that he had come there that day to roll
away the great stone--that it need no more be
asked what their plan was for setting the negroes
free; that their motto freedom on the soil that
they were much entitled TO il as any man or
woman on that ground, and that the time was
close at hand when those who contend for remu-
neration for their slaves would be glad to get off
even; for upon the great principle of Hdoinp
unto others they would have others do unto
them" the negro would have right to ask for a
remuneration for his services He denounced in
the btterest terms the old Democratic and Whip
parties, and said they could not be trusted, and
as to the Know nothing party, he gives Il par
ticular thunder; and seemed TO have no conf
dence in any but the Freosoil party, which he
said was now in the sscendancy; that their cause
was now secure; and went on 10 show the strength
Of that party, and the number of negroes in the
South ever the whites; which, he said, in con-
hct would of course be added 60 the Freesoil
party, so that they had nothing TO fear; that the
time had now come 10 make demonstration;
and he for one was ready and willing to do his
part.
He then spoke Of the treatment that John q.
Fee had received at the Dripping Spring, in
Lincoln county; that they had applied to the
court of Justice for redress and had been re-
fused; and he now intended that Mr.. Fee should
90 to the Dripping Spring, and there speak his
sentiments as a free man; and he intened to go
with him, and stand by his side; and il any man,
or set Of men, took him down, they should do il
over his dead He then called on the crowd
to know how many there was on the ground who
would go with them, a number Of voices were
heard that they were ready and willing to go.
lie then told them TO furnish their rifles " they
Ind any, If no rife, their double or singlebarrel
shot guns, their Colt 3 revovers and IL they had
neither, then their kitchen butcher knife, for tho
thing had 10 have beginning, and il had as well
begin at the Dripping Spring "a at any other
place. He said the time for the meeting at the |
Dripping Spring would be SET in a few days, Of |
which they should have due notice; and then |
they would meet and consult, and they would not |
meet in harm, clubhouse, or any secret place |
like the Know-nothings, but in open daylight |
like freemen. lie said that the proslavery party,
both in word and action, gveth lie to the Dec.
laration Of independence, bnt he would say, in
III