The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-06-05
Mr.. Clay ana slavery IN the Ter.
Fitories.


Fitories.
We have often declafed, and amply es.
taolished the fact, thatswe occupy no posi-.
ton with reference to the question Of
Slavery in the Territories, which has no,
been proclaimed and defended by such men
as Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, and that
the power of prohibiting Slavery in the new
Territories, which We proposed to exercise,
was power which they uniformly confess ed
and maintained. Notwithstanding the fire.
qaent and convincing quotations which We
have made, the Times has continued to DEW
and prevaricate, seeking to employ the author
ny Of theirgreat names and absorbing patriot
ism to promote its own unhallowed crusade
against the lawful and proper efforts Of Free
Men, more thoroughly to establish and per-
pe'uate Free Institutions. 1t abused and
slandered them while living; it seeks to per-
vertand belle their.sentimcuts and so to en-
ploy their influence as forever blast their
consistency of character and honest reputa-
'ion, now they are dead.
We are engaged in the effort now making
to establish Freedom in the Territorie, bv
paramount law. We have sndeayofed 70
show that it is thing proper and necessary.
thing which the circumstances Of the times
require; thing which the people possess
ample power to do. We have cited annie
authority to demonstrate the possession Of
unquestioned power. We have ri,en tho
strong and emphatic words Of CLAY and
webster, among others,--words as emrhat;c
~ the expression of such sentiments as the
vocabulary affords. The Times again re-
iterated the explicit assertion that it had
formerly and repeatedly made, that Henry
Clay denied the authority Of Congress to
prohibit Slavery in the Territories. We
made new quotations, and proved it beyond
the slightest cavil. We fastened the lie. d.
rect and unqualified, upon that sheet, and
demanded that it should be rctracted. snd
simple justice be done to the reputation %
Henry Clay and our own position. It de-
ciined, but il qnibbled, and qualified, and
changed its ground, for fairness OF contro.
versy and justice TO opponents is no part Of
its policy. But it shall not escape being
posted and proved vilifer and traducer of
honest mems sentiments, and candid men
shall be made TO appreciate it's unscrupulous
Conduct anu confess our own true position.
The Times Of Friday said
The Gate charges ue with Ignorance ~
the political opinions Of Mr.. CLAW and NJ
Douglass. We may be, but will the Cat.
distinctly and unequivocally deny that M.
Clay declared in his speech upon the compro-
mise OF 1850, what we have ssid he did, viz !.
that it Congress had the power to prohibit
slavery in the Territories it had also the
power TO establish il. II it is posted, it can
answers
And on Saturday i. contained m article
from which We make the following extr.c. ].
"Takng the Gates own garblings, and Il
proves our assertion, that Mr.. Clay said il
Inc power existed at all it was plsnary, and
gave Congress the right to establish slavery
~ well as prohibitii."
Paltry and shameful ahnA,ing 1t was mr.
your Insertion that III the power er;st-
ed, &c You did no, report Mr. CLAW 4.
saying that ~ Congress had the power 10
prohibit Slavery in the Territories il had tha
power 20 establish it, etc You clearly and
uncqulvocally affirmed that Mr.. CLAY said he
did not believe Congress had the mover
either = prohibit or establish 1t. We ouote
your own words, 70 Wit
Mr. Clay did not believe that Congre..
had the power either TO prohibi. or esta6l;sh
slavery il ths Territories hence il = nos
Dtraaee thas he shosld make the declaration
qaots1."
That i 4. fair and square. You did not
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