The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1856-06-05
Republtcan Meeting At Alexandria. Ky
SPEECH OF CASSIUS NJ CLAY.


On SATURDAY. Gath ult. large and enthu-
siastlc Republican meetin. vas held Al Alex
andria. AT half past P NJ. the meeting
was called to order by Mr. Norton. who moved
the appointment Of Mr.. r. Whis,emore to
tie Chair. which was carrid.
VIM. Whitehead was appointed Vice Pres
ident. and L K Norton, Secretary.
The Chairman then introcucsd Mr.. Cassius
NJ. Clay TO the audience.
Mr.. Clay rose and said:
Mr. President, and LadES and Gentlemen:
have been invited to speaL 10 the citizens Of
Campbell county. in tnes times when the
stability Of the country is threatened upon the
subject Of slavery
! am one of you a Kent,ckian bv nativity
and by choice of hone Though l am
grateful for courtesy. l cIain, freedom Of
speech a right: do notcome on any inter
est OF my own; the cause III which | speak is
yours. not mine.
In slaveholding community. a man who
speaks on slavery should srak of il with del
lcacy. / shall endeavor . wound no mans
feelings If fail. lay tito my warmth of
temperament
This is not subject of parties: the question
is whether the twenty fvs millions inhabi-
tants of the United States shall be freee l
I
al and economical bearings. l have shown
you that it destroys your population, and di
minishes your strength aad enjoyment as
State.
have shown you that ou one side of Mason
and DIon's line there have been fifteen fail
ures TO educate. and upon the other side six
!een successes, while even in Lberia-that
miserable protege Of our enlightened wisdom
and mature deliberatlon IN regard to this mat
ier-all have free schools
II destroys your manufactures--it DESTROYS
your commerce. Look a. Norfolk. the best
port on the Atlantic. Why. It's nggerized TO
death. and SO with New Orleans. 1t is not
question Of parties. but classes.
II there IS any one thing in which slavery
has been beneficial to the South, let him who
knows it rise and speak it.
Jas A. DeCourcey-Slavsry has been a
benefit TO the black and white races ia point
OF population.
Mr.. Clay--How's that l6 from 25 in nv
arithmetic leaves nine aud there are ,0OO..
600 Of the $4,000, 900 of our States in the
North, and San Augustine was founded before
any city in the North.
Mr.. DeCourcev-There are more born in
the Slave States. and they live longer than in
the Northern.
Mr.. Clsy-If the fact is 50. it only proves
that the Southern are good States TO run away
oil the whites do So. II the rentle-
~" p'eief' me uneducated African to The
A%sio saxon ne - l. welcome to do it.
II Is a law of Gods that n, - ILL.
If he did not work; but the lazy negro IS sup
ported by the money drawn from the work of
the active negro. Why do you not allow the
negro a conscience you do not pu. hin, on
oath. but threaten 10 whip him if he don't tell
thu truth. Do you want such negroes to
take your lands and farms? But HI leave
matters of finance
Som one Cooking to his left) saws: Let
him speak. he's gentleman - Yes I call
myself gentleman, but il isn't because am
better born than any one else or had for
tune, but because | endeavor hon ct v 10 do
my duty.
Here in Ke ntucky you have always allow.
ed ME to speak. was reserved for the SUP.
pie dough faces Of tie Nor h to shut the doors
upon me. This WAS in Illino.s--Rep But
have you allowed others who were not we'll
born and did not have strong connections
Look at Blrney. He was driven from your
State Tor tree speech. So was Dr. Marshall.
SO WAS Matthews. SO was n T. Teacher,
whose name was oml;fed-R-p) whom l
Knew so was BRADY Why. you enjoy less
liberty than in 1916 your fathers did,
They complained tha. the King gave his
offices of honor and profit 10 the aristoeracv
TO the oligarchy of the slave hold. rs are Civ
en- all the Offices worth having, from the Gov
ernor of Kentucky and the Supreme JUICES.
down Show ME Congressman from your
State who was not one of your 38, 900 slave
holders. There may have been one or two.
but If SO. You will find he was pledged TO taeir
cause. The Ohgarchs put forward ali ihei-
>ons-not 50 in New England Webster WAS
born IN cabin. Sumner was the Sheriff's son.
Wilson is called the cobl-r. and \. p. Banks
was carpenter. How is it heree
Le' US suppose the negro 10 be property
as well As the horse. now let Us see how prop
erty Is taken Of. If the STAKEHOLDER 10 .,
Pompey, he sends you and the [. 5. officers
10 hunt him up Throughout, the Union. and he
IS brought back at the expense OF the nited
states. l. e you pay IN proportion to YOUR
property. the Sl0o 600 which j, cos, to bring
back Burns, But if you lose your horse. the
only means you have 10 support your family
-shen You. Tor you are poor. must hunt him
up and return him at your own expense.
Have you equal laws for the rich and the
poor
! How secure is your Efee | neye. knew
one STAKEHOLDER to be convicted Of the rnurd.,
Of poor white man; many a poor man have
| seen swing for numbering the sons of God .
annoin ted--slaveholders. Mr. Clay referred
10 Ward and other cases How is it with
liberty Of speeche You have no, SO much
as your fathers had in England There the
liberty of speech has not been questioned.
nor the petitions OF the people thrown under
/ the table
Mr. Clay then spoke a: length of the affair.
Of hansas-bsde the Republican party OF
Campbell county to be strong and 60 on in
! their work. for though small. the acorn was
the germ OF the oak. and concluded with the
sentiment Of MY country, my whole coun-
try. may she We. be free"