Brookville American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1858-1861, 1858-03-26
Congressional.

WASHINGTON, March, s19.-Mr. Clay,
ALA, said thatinasmuch as the Legis-
ature Of Alabama Ind passed resolu-
tons forfbe can Of b Convention to de,
eide its courseof action In the event Of
the rejection Of the Kansas bill, he felt
bound todefend the course ofthat State,
Aztec reviewing at length the
events ia Kansas, with the strife of par
ties there, which he maintained was
not struggle between two geograph-
ical sections, but between party OPP
posed to the administration and that
fiavorably to it.
He proceeded to enquire into the va.
lidityof the Constitution. Many States,
he said, had been admitted without a
submission Of their constitution, and he
Thought that the 1Lecompton Conven-
ton would have acted more in accord
ance with the principles Of the country
If it had not submitted the constitution
10 the people, either in whole or in
part. Our governments is not denloc-
racy, but republican. TO this point
he quoted Madison, adding that our
fathers knew that pnre democracy il
the voice of demon than the voice Of
God. History has proven that pure de-
mocracy is the most rapacious OF tyran-
mics, wholly irresponsible, acknowledge
ing no master, because ii is a law unto
Itself
Tits even ready to carry into excess
the prejudice of the House, rather thar
the principle. He regretted the grow.
ing proclivity towards democratizing, OF
rather underwriting, every department
in our government. This, he asserted
is Red Republicanism Of Revolutionists
sheer radiealisn. God forbid that il
should supercede and swallow up the
philosophical republican principles o.
the government of our fathers.
Turning next to the question Of sla-
very, he remarked that property was
always the foundation OF a social fabric
and that, in the formation of our Con
stItution, slave property was especially
protected The Union owed its being
to-day to the institution OF slavery
Slave property is sheltered under its
Constitution.
Notwithstanding these facts. there il
a party in this country pledged to tho
determination OF that property,
lie proceeded to comment upon the
principles Of the Republican party, u:
promulgated in their platform, and con.
fcssed that he looked forward with fore.
bodings to the result, if that party OBJ
tain possession Of the Government
When that happens, and protection is
taken from slave property, the bond OF
Union is broken, and the South has nc
longer a motive for its preservation
hence Alabama has declared that She
will resist aggression upon her rights
She has acted wisely.
When the Union becomes an instru-
ment of oppression TO the South, he
would destroy IL at once. %
Mr. Houston animadvcrted upon
some Of the remarks by Mr. Clay
against the opponents of the Nebraka
Bill 81
Mr. Clay said that he intended no per-
sonal disrespect Ills remarks had on
" political bearing. lie compliment
ed Mr. Houston on his courage in the
field rs well as his wisdom in council
Mr.. Houston replied that every
American citizen had courage, and il
he had ever displayed any in an emil
neut degree it was when he stood up
here a@Inst.tIp pinions,of his fricsls
lie opdsed tho Nebraska Bill, and re-
gardcdl il as fatal measure, restored
bv demnr0oucg. originated by ambition
and intended only to unite the South
with few Northern States to make a
President
Mr. Clay answered that the Missouri
restriction placed the badge of inferior
ity in the slaveholding States. The
Legislature Of Texas has condemned it.
Mr.. Houston said he made the State
Of Texas, but did not make the people.
They came there anyhow; but their
condemnation OF his vote did not dis
honor him.