Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1856-01-03
Letter from Casslus n. Clay.

Letter from Cassius N. Clay.
Hon. A. P. Stone, Chairman Of the Ohio
Republican Committee, addressed letter some
time ago to Csssius n. Clay, asking his opin.
ion in regard 10 the present aspect Of political
affairs. The noble Kentuekian, true to his
cherished principles. writes, under date Of the
l4:h inst and says:
The Republicans Of the slave States, 'horgh
few 10 number, are no new party. Faithful
among the faiihless, proof against the seduc.
tioDs Of Office and the threaleDiDgs Of power
we sand firm upon the Platform Of our fathers
OF '76, in the world. wide spirit Of the Declar,
alton. We hold with J5ffgrso1 and bis dis.
tingulsbed eolemporaries-ihat slavery is an
anomaly in Republic, and against the law Of
God and mans highes. instincts Of right--that
justice is always .be highest expsdiencY-tbat
liberty and slavery cannot co exist-but that
one or the other must die! Whilst on the one
hand We base ourselves upon these central ideas
which We inherit as our birth right as true Re.
publicans, we do not forget that without Law
there can be no true freedom or progress. We
have, Therefore. studiOusIy regarded the high
Obligations OF The State and Federal Constilu
lions, and willingly subject Ourselves to its su
premacy, even when perverted by mercenary
from hi tru.. ep;rit He rg.rarr
those as sufficiently anli-sla'ery for all PracJi.
cal purposes -as found in their own laGguast
to establish liberty and justice-that liberty i,
nsliOnahan flRKery sectional, in elaboration
to whiea lA ! refer you to the late letter o
- rsasfable F. P Blair, The distinguished
lfi6nd and confidential adviser of Andrew
Jackson. We are neither the advocates Of Cen.
trazaton nor dsunonl but the friends OF ma
tional and State rights in the ample spheres o
progress and reform with which the wisdom 0
our fathers compassed both. We therefor,
believe it to be our bounden duty as good mel
and true Republicans, 10 oppose nationally Ih
existence Of slavery, under any pretence what
evel, in places of exclusive National domain
by sea and land, and TO bring the moral AM
political influence Of the National goverumen
permanently and firmly and aVowedly ON tn
side of liberty. as it has heretofore been array
ed on the side Of Slavery. And as the friend
of liberty have acquiesced. without revolution
airy resistance. in the rule Of slavery, so We dt
mand that the slavery propaganda shall acqu
esce IN the new rule of liberty and law, an
they shall be justly branded as traitors to bot
north and south who counsel and act 10 violt
ton of this only possibility of popular gov
ernment.
Now. sir. there are many in the slave State
ready to act openly with the Republican part
or who secretly sympalhze with the move
ment = and (in my Judgement majority {
all the South will a"quirsce in cur rule.'
believe that the time has nov come when
majority of the American people are ready
yindicate the faith Of our fathers in mans c.
pability Of selfigovernment. But it cannot
disguised that this majority is now iragmental
and disorganized. that it requires sagaci,
leadership and self-sacri6cing patriotism to a
ray them in successful opposition TO the CO
7 centrated and drilled forces Of the present pr
: slavery administration. | think, then, 20
suggestion is a good one, and that it will me
the views Of the whole Republican party. F
S the sake of the unity. let the first meeting
: Pittsburgh, on the 29d of February next,
: as homogeneous as possible. Then let Il
e National Committee open an active and ce
e ciliatory correspondence with all the opp
: nents of the slave propaganda. Let VIII
and Democrat-Know Nothing and anti.Kno
|, Nothing--Catholic and Protestant--uati'
e born aud adopted--and all shades Of opiniO
d be urged by the great necessity of immedia
II and decisive action. 10 save, if possible, I
d republic from its threatened submerson in
II one of the most relentless despOtisms whi
t, has ever narkened the pages Of history.
Is Ny dear sir, know that You feel with |
J. the worldwide consequences OF the crisis.
E, Nav the God Of our fathers move us to do c
le whole duty.
ID lam your obedieut servant,
y. c. NJ. CLAY
70 The Masculine and Feminine Mind,