Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1856-11-26
HAwK-EYR And TELEGRAPH.
Mr. Ciar,. Lecsarc.

MF. Clayss Lecfure.
The Hon. Cassins n. Clay, Of Kentucky, gav.
the opening lecture for the season to 4 crowdes
. house here, on Monday night His reputation
- one Of the first lecturers of our country, call
ed together large audience, and however high
may have been their expectations, We are con.
hdent in saying, none we're disappointed, or re.
gretted the opportunity Of hearing the grca,
, champion Of Freedom.
His subject, Labor is the basis of all pros.
perity, and can neither be bought or sold, . was
vel illustrated and substantially proved, if ii
can be said such doctrine calls for proof BE
adhered closely to the principle that human la
Dor could not be bought or sold, that all had
the right to their own labor, and that labor
formed the basis of individual prosperity Per-
sonal property depended on the rights of labor
1.-The well being Of society, and the perpetuity
OF order and good government, depended on
this right. There was higher law that gov
erned and guided him on to happiness. That
this higher law was ever present through the
conscience, to approve or disapprove as man
was disposed to go right or wrong. This high.
er law sanctioned the rights Of labor and mans
right to himself, and equally positive in its con-
demnation Of bartering away the life and the
sinews of man.
He declared that there was no right to hold |
man in bondage. That slavery was practically
and radically wrong; neither sanctioned by the
conscience of man, which was the higher law,
nor by the laws of the right of property. II
had its right only in human laws and human
governments; was perpetuated by human insti-
tutions and the sel6shness of man. 1t was a
selfish institution, having no sanction in thelavs
of God, or approval in the conscences of men.
Ancient nations practised this supposed right
to hold men in bondage, from various pretexts.
The difference Of religion gave the right to con
quer, and that conquest the right to hold men
in slavery Those nations were corrupt and
mistaken in this, as in others Of their laws, and
where were they now? The more civilized ma
tions rejected that doctrine of enslavment of
man. Color was also made the pretext for sIa.
very, as showing an inferiority Of race This
of race he denied; there was o infe.
flesh, and one blood. Circumstances of birth,
position, or power might make them superiors,
but that superiority soon passed away. The
Jews once the chosen of Gods people, were .
scattered over the world. The Greeks, once
the masters of the sea and land, now nation
Of pirates and robbers. The Carthagenians, the
Romans, with their temporary superiority, where
ire they now? All nations pass away.
The supposed rights of conquest could not
confer on man the right to hold slaves, nor OF
property; it was wrong, aid by civilized nations
was an exploded idea The right of discovery
was good right, but the right of labor was the ::
only good title, sanctioned by the laws of God
md man. Prejudice against color, said Mr.,
Clay, did not exist until slavery of that class ex
sted Black was good color, and carried no
became the slave. White men, when in slavery,
we're also despised, and the black was the aristo-
ratio color-the fashionable color with the
proud old Spaniard, and even to this day, with :;
heir descendants in Mexico, there is no disre-
pect shown to the black on account of his
.olor. -5e +
Slavery is sin, and no transfer can make b
,ood a title in man. The simple taking of Q
mans labor is sin and a crime against God.- d
servitude implies consent to labor. American
lavery is not based on consent, and is without Q
he sanction Of any man that thinks Alright d
He spoke forcibly of the unity of the human
ace as divine idea, and to which the order of
hings and the condition of society was tending.
That idea was progressing rapidly-there was no
tanding still-all was progression. In nature q
tself there was progress; all is moving. The
.arth, the seasons, the sun moves on-is not
ixed All should move on-all should labor
There is no place for idlers. Idleness is crime
there is no place for slave holders; they are &
dlers, taxing the sinews, the blood and sweat Of
heir fellow men, which is great physical and
moral wrong" i,
This is but meagre sketch of this able lee $
ure, replete as it was in conclusive argument !
nd sound logic; but will convey some faint idea 8
# the principles advanced, that every man has d
he exclusive right to his own labor, and that it
$ crime against God and nature, to rob man, z
,e he black or white, of that right.