Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1855-12-28
Obj anlp Spp~
RepaslIcaa NslionaI Convention.

same which nominated Chase and Fold for
Governor aud Lieutenant Governor) inst uct-
ed their State Central COMMITTEES to open a
correspondence with the Republicans OF either
States, in regard to holding National Re-
publican Convention. III accordance with the
idea intended to be urged in that correspond
ence, portion of the Republican press of
that aud other States. have expressed them
selves in favor of holding an informal Mass
Republican Convention at Pittsburg. on the
22d of February, to consult together ana to
organize a National Republican Committee,
preparatory to issuing call for Delegate
Convention 10 nominate candidates for Presi.
dent and Vice President.
: In answer to letter addressed by Hon. A.
p. Stone. Chairman Of the Republican State
Ceatral Committee OF Ohio, TO that valiant
champion of Freedom, Cassius NJ. Clay of
Kentucky, in reference to this matter, Mr..
Clay replied in spirited and comprehensive
letter, the sentiments of which ought to put
to shame the recreant doughfaces who dis
grace the North. When such men as Fran
els P. Blair and Cassius NJ. Clay, who have
always been residents of slave States, and oc-
cupied high positions there, avow themselves
in favor Of the great principles of Freedom
and Republicanisin. is there not ground for
hope, that, in spite of the existence of cring-
ing services like Pierce, Cushing, Douglas
& Company, the republic may yet be put upon
the right track
Certainly, if the sentiments of Mr.. Clay's
letter can be carried out, by the success, in
the ensuing Presidential election, of party
avowing them, all will have been accomplish
ed, for which Washington fought, and JefFer-
son and Franklin prayed, and to bring about
which the friends of Liberty, under different
names, have strenuously labored during the
last quarter Of a century. If the proposed
National Convention ut Pittsburg shall lay
down platform of principles as broad and
comprehensive as the noble sentiments here
avowed, and nominate candidates fully rep
resenting them, nothing can lie in the way of
our triumph. Cassius NJ. Clay writes, under
date of Louisville, Kentucky, December Is,
in reference to the plan of holding National
Republican Convention, as follows:-
The Republicans of the slave States, though
few in number, are no new party. Faithful
among the faithless, proof against the seduc-
tons Of Office and the threatenings of power,
we stand firm upon the platform of our fathers
of '76, in the world wide spirit of the Declar-
alton. We hold with Jefferson and his dis.
tinguished contemporaries that Slavery is an
anomaly in Republic, and against the laws
of God and mans highest instincts of right
that justice is always the highest expedency
that Liberty and Slavery cannot coexist--
but that one or the other must die. While
on the one hand we base ourselves upon those
central ideas which we inherited SIS our birth
riSht as true Republicans, we do not forget
that without law there can be III true Free
dom or Progress. We have, therefore, studi-
ously regarded the high obligations of the
State and Federal Constitutions. and willing
~ subjected ourselves to their supremacy,
even when perverted by mercenary majorities
from their true spirit. We regard those as
sufficiently Anti-Slayery for all practical p1r-
poses-as found in their own language 10 es-
tabiish Liberty and Justice that Liberty
nasional, and Slavery sectional, in elaboration
of which idea / refer you to the late letter of
the venerable F. p. Blair, the distinguished
friend and confidential adviser of Andrew
jackson. We are neither the friends Of cen.
tralization nor disunion, but the friends Of
national and State rights in the ampla spheres
Of progress and reform with which the wis.,
dom Of our fathers eompassed both. We
therefore believe it to be our bounden duty,
as good men and true Republicans, to oppose
nationally the existence of Slavery, under any
pretence whatever, in places of exclusive ma
tional domain by sea and land, and IL bring
the moral and political influence of the Ma
tional Government permanently, and firmly,
and ayowedly on the side of Liberty, as it has
heretofore been arrayed on the side of Slave.
~. And as the friends Of Liberty have ac-
quiesced, without revolutionary resistance, in
the rule of Slavery, so we demand that the
Slavery propaganda shall aequiesce in the
new rule of Liberty and Law, aud they shall
be justly branded as traitors to both North
and South, who counsel or act in violation
of this only possibility Of popular govern.
ment.
Now. SIR, there are many in the slave States
ready to act openly with the Republican par
ignore who secretly sympathize with the
moyement--and Gin my judgment) majority
Of all the South who will acquiesce in our
rule believe that the time has now come
when majority Of the American people are
ready to vindicate the faith of our fathers in
mans capability Of self government. But it
cannot be disguised that this majority is now
fragmentary and disorganized. aud il requires
sagacious leadership and self sacrificing pat
riatism to array them in successful opposition
TO the concentrated and drilled forces OF the
present pro-Slavery administration. think,
then. your suggestion is a good one, and that
it win meet the views of the whole Republic
can party. For the sake of unity, let the first
meeting at Pittsburg. OIL the 22d of February
next, be as homogeneous as possible Then
letthe National Committee open an active and
.ccnciliatory correspondence with all the oppo.
nents of the Slave propaganda. Let Wing
and Democrat. Know Nothing and Anti
Know Nothing, Catholic aid Protestant, ma.
tive born and adopted. and all shades Of opin-
ion, be urged BY the great necessity of imme-
diate and decisive action. to save, if possible,
the Republic from its threaten d submersion
into one of the most relentless despotisms
which has ever darkened the pages Of his
tory. e. NJ. CLAY.
The sPeakeTsIhip.
BY our Congressional report, Il will be seen