The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-08-13
Henry Clay on the Abolition
Question.

That portion of our community who
think that any good, either to the white
or the black race, can come from the pc.
%iitieal agitation of the subject of sla.
very in the free States, are invited to
persue the following extract from Hen.
ry Clay's great speech on the abolition
question, delivered in the United States
Senate a few years ago. 1t is to US a
matter of surprise that so large a por-
ton of the admirers of the great Ken
tuckian. and who for so many years sus-
tanned the pripcfPlcsenunciated by him,
should so soon AFTER his death consent
to be transferred, by the management
of political leaders, over to the sustain
ing of abolition aud disunion doctrines
of the miscalled Republican party.
Upon the questions of a United States
Bank, Tariff and others, We differed
from MIR. Clay +; but these questions are
disposed of, and are not now in issue.
On the slavery question he took the true
ground. Though no friend Of slavery,
he took a national and statesman like
view Of the question. Read his re-
marks
81 am, Mr.. President, no friend of
slavery. The Searcher of all hearts
knows that every pulsation Of my heart
beats high in the cause of. liberty.
Whenever it is safe and practicable, l
desire to see every portion Of the human
family in the enjoyment of it. But 1
prefer the liberty of my own country to
that of any otLer country, and the liber-
ty Of my o1cjl race to that of any other
rnce.
They 1.-THE abolitionists) instead of
advancing the cause of emancipation,
have thrown back for half a century the
prospects of any species of emancipation
of the African race, gradual or immedi-
ate, in any of the States. The minority
(Colonizationists) had increased, and was
increasing, until the Abolitionists COM
menced their operations.
shocked by these Abolition movements,
and the number who would now fa-
vor gradual emancipation is PROBABLY
less that it was in the year 1859.
Prior to the agitation Of this ques
ton of Abolitionism, there was a pro-
gressive Moderation in the condition of
slaves throughout ali the slave States.
In some of them schools were
opened by humane and religious per-
sons.
1T is frequently asked, what is to
become of the African race among US ?
The true answer is, that the same Prov
idencc that has hitherto guided and
governed US and averted all serious evil
from the existing relation between the
two races, will guide and govern our pos
terity.
DO not they-the Abolitionists-
perceive that in coufouuding all dis
tinctions which God has made between
the two races, they arraign the wisdom
and goodness CT Providence
Does any man suppose the races
would become blended in one Eomoge-
neous mass? Does any man recommend
anlalgamation, that revolving ad-
nixture, alike offensive to God and
man?
If the amelioration of the condition
of the slaves has been checked in some
of the States, the responsibility must at
tach to the unfortunate agitation of
the subject of Abolition. With them
rights of property are nothing the ac-
knoWledged and incortestible powers of
the States are nothing civil war a q isso-
luton of the Union, and the overthrow
of the government in which are concen-
trated the fond hopes of the civilized
world, are nothing. A single idea has
taken possession of their mind, and on
ward they pursue it, overlooking all
barriers, reckless aud regardless of all
consequences. With this class, the i'm
mediate Abolition of slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia, aud the Territory of
Florida, the prohibition of the removal
Of slaves from State to State, and the
refusal to admit any new State, compro-
missing within it's limits the institution
of domestic slavery, are among other and
moro lamentable means they employ, of
arraying one portion of the Union.
With that view, in all their leading
prints and publications the alleged hor-
rors of slavery are depicted in the most
glowing and exaggerated c%olors, to ex-
cite the imaginations and stimulate the
rage Of the people in the free States
against the people in the slave States.
Advertisements of fugitive slaves, and
slaves to be sold, are collected and bla-
zoned forth to iufuse a spi its of detes-
tation aud hatred against one entire Sec
ton, and like another notorious agitator
upon another theater, they would hunt
down and prescribe from the pale of civ
ilizcd society the inhabitants of that en-
tire section.
sit is at this alarming stage of their
proceedings 1 would severeally invite
every considerate man in the country 10
pause and deliberately reflect upon that
dreadful precipice down which they
would hurry US.
"To the agency of their powers of
persuasion they now propose to substi-
tute the power of the ballot box, and he
must be blind to what is passing before
us, who does not perceive that the inev-
table tendency of their proceedings is,
if these should be found insufficient, to
invoke the more potent power Of the
bayonet."
THE GREAT TRAvELER.-Fremont is
a great traveller. He was thirty days
in the United State Senate, and drew
it is said $4,000 for mileage! Construc-
tive mileage this was for Fremont was a.
traveller on this occasion as he is a great
statesman-by construction.