Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-06-22

Henry Clay ON Alien Suffrage.
OF very late years it has become the habit
of the democracy to refer 10 the course and
speeches Of HENRY Clay on various subjects
of political concern, to snstain their present
positions, and to weaken the cause Of the A.
meriean party. It is utterly astonishing to Us,
that party whose business il was to oppose
the policy and measures advocated by the pat
riot, statesman and sage Of Ashland, through
out bis whole life, should at this day claim
hun as authority for anything they might
choose TO advocate or condemn. II it argues
anything, it argues that HENRY CLAY was
right, and they themselves wrong 10 opposing
him. This we have always believed to be the
true state Of the case. And however humila-
ting such an acknowledgement might be to
party of sincerity and spirit, it would be highly
honorable aud rraiseworthy in it to admit it's
error, and, so far as IL were possible, to repair
The injury. The deep and burning wrongs
which were inflicted upon Mr. CLAY, both
personally aud politically, during his lifetime,
can never be fully repaired; bot history can,
and will not fail to, vindcale the wisdom and
patriotism Of hi. public career, and his honor
and integrity as man. There are many mea-
sures OF public interest, which were promi-
nently before the people in hls day, which
have been lost sight of; there are Others upon
which lie most eloquenty discoursed, which
are day of the most vital Importance. And
since tie democracy have endorsed him, by
| quoting bin as authority, we propose to quote
hun also. No man Of his day took more
extended view of the true policy of the Re
public, and no man saw more clearly than he,
the dangers OF foreignism. When he returned
TO his constituents in 1912, they received him
with tie donors OF an CvItion. On that occa|
| sion he made them speech, 10 which he took
a general and elevated survey Of the field Of
| American politics. He was at home standing
proudly in the midst Of a constituency which
admired him, and which chung to him through
life with an ardor and devotion, which few
men, indeed, have enjoyed. In the majestic
sweep of his oraIory he referred to one Of the
leading issues of this present moment, that of
Alien. Suffrage in the territories. We now
present that passage, and ask alike those who
rallied around Mr.. CLAY during his life, as a
leader, in whom they could repose the most
| implicit confidence, and to those who now
appeal to him as an authority and Justification
tor their political opinions, will give tie de-
parted statesman an impartial hearing:
Ertract from Mr. Clay's Speech at Lexington, June
9, 1912.
CT do not arrogate to myself more impartiality,
or greater freedom from party bias, than brlongS
to other men; but, unless / deceive myself, thiuk
| | have reached a time OF life, and am in a
position of retirement from which can look back
with calmness and speak | hope, with candOr and
Justice. do not intend to attempt general con-
trdst between the two parties as to their course,
doctrine and spirit. That would be too extensive
aud laborous undertaking for this OCCASION; but
| purpose to specify a few recent instances, in
which, | think, our political opponents have ex-
hint d a spirit and hearing, DIsOBGANIzING AND
DANGEROUS to the harmony and stab jty of our az
situations, and invoke the serious ani sober at
tenton To them, OF all who here assembled
'The first / would notice is the manner in which
Territories have been lat " admitted, States in
the Union The early and regular practice of the
Government was for Congress to pass previously a
law authorizing a Convention, regulating the ap-
pointment of members to il, specifying the quaih
cation of voters, &c In that way most OF the
Stat were T, ceived OF late without any previous
sanction or authority from Congress, sever-l terri
tories have proceeded of themselves TO call con-
ventCns, form Constitutions, aud De m md admis-
sion into the Union, ard they were limited.
DO rot der y that their population and condition
entitled tn to admission but | insist that il
| should have been done 10 the regular and estab.
lshed mode. In the cas- of Michigan aliens peTc
aHosCed to vote, as aliens have been allowed to be-
come pre-rmptOners III the public lands. And q
maiorty in Congress sanctioned the proce ding
When foreigners naturalzed and incorporates
as citizens, III community, they titled to al
the privileges within the limits of the Constitution
which belong to native born citizen; and il neces
sarv they should be protected, at home and abroad
the thunder of artillery should load
and a. Elective in tn ir defence, as If th.ir brit
were upon American soil. But | cannot bUt HinI
IL VERY WRONG AND HAZARDOUS, to GLLO0 dlie'S
rho bore Just landed our shores rho hare no
get rco,tced their allegiance to foreign pote"tdtes
nor SIcOrn id Htg to our Consultation iCih ALL tn
INFLUEKCEs OF MONARCHY AND ANARCHY
ABOUT THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR ELECTION
AND AFFECT OUR LEGISLATION"