Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-16

W SIIARKEY.
Hcssrs Il Rlgway, Jas. A. Scott John A. Meredith, W.
Goldin, +. Griffin, Committee.
FROM JUDGE GEORGE ROBERTSON.
LEXINGTON, KY. !
April oh 1860.
R Ridgway and others, Committee
Gentlemen Born in Kentucky before it iusra-
ted the adopted home Of Henry Clay-iutimntcly
sOcaicd with him for forty years in private life, and
portion of that time IN the public ssryicelyng for the
last twenty-five years in his favorc city OF Lexington,
midway between bis homestead AID his gravc-lOug his
neghbOr and su longer bis personal aud political friend
Il would chccrully make much personal sacrifice 10
-ympatze with you face to face aud heart 10 heart at
the Inauguration Of his classic Statue in Your beautiful
civ on the eiehtyhird anniversary Of his eycntful
birth. To be present on an occasion 20 n.er sting and
suggestive would afford peculiar satisfaction. But
circumstances beyond my control forbid that enjoyment
must therefore be content with Offering TO you my
grateful acknowledgements for your obg,ng invitation,
aud a very few general sentiments suggested by the vO-
tive dedication by the Ladies of Virginia TO the memo
~ of our deceased friend cOuutrys friend aud the
friend Of mankind.
Moulded from perfect model scupturcd from the
living man 10y native Keutuckian, (liAr am sure that
the Statue you will the 18th inst, will be
as true aud c-llEc bronze marble could lie made
10 animated humanity. Aud, although the pcshumOus
fame OF Henry Clay needs such memorial yet, in
tended for the living rather than the dead long it
ing memories and patriotic scntimeuts-wh memories
OF the talents and the deeds OF poor NrgnAn orphan,
who with his own bands, built his noble monument,
whose eloquence electrified the world and whose public
life wac au admirable illustration of republican
manship-and with sentiments OF selfdenyiug devotion
to conservative liberty and uuOn eyempiited by his
pure comprehensive, and intrepid patriotism. But,
above all his graceful statue viii suggest the priceless
value Of the Union aud the paramount duty of prescrv
ing it3 integrity and extending is wholesome blessings.
The Union was his political idol 20 defend its he
offered himself victim to the demon OF sectional
strife aud TO promote it, harmony aud prosperity he
uoby sacrificed his br.h-rght to the most honorable ci
vic station earth. OF the school OF Washington the
Farewell address was his Text Book
The supremacy OF the Constitution and laws Of the
Uuied Stltes-opposition to all sectional partiesab,t
nence from all agitation Of sayery a ntoual question,
settled by Washington and bis compatrios, they
thoughts intended by the ordinance of97 and the Con-
situon Of S. and faithful uGmont of all constitution.
al trusts for eevang national character, promoting
domestic prosperity and facilitating intercourse and rer
nty-these the Unon principles of Washington and
of Clay and the majestic statue will! whenever behed
revive those vital principles stie antiU passions,
and plead for the Union to which its great original
self devoted martyr
In his farewell legacy to his counrymen, the Father
of his Country warned them against geographical par
ties and sectional pejuIces the most dangerous
mics, foreign or domestic which would beset our
national pathway; and our past history aud present
diton confirm the wisdom OF those counsels.
But no question of sectional agitation is natical in
its character or destructive in its Consequences that of
slavery aud so ii regarded by the Unions great
champion of this age from the year 1919 lis DEATH in
the year 1852.
In 1919 that sectional storm began to alarm the friends
OF the Union. In the bill then pending in the popular
branch of Congress for organizing Territorial Govern
ment in Arkansas, the attempt made, for the first
time to prevent the extension Of slavery by CongressiOn
al introduction Ii was my fortune to introduce the Or
ganic Bill which prudently silent all domestic
institutions and relations Ii the fortune Of John
w. Taylor of New York, to propose amendment
prohibiting slavery in the Territory. That proposition
modified by prospective feature adopted by
jority of two votes after prolonged and agtating de-
bate. The bill, as thus amended referred to large
select committee chosen By the Speaker. That commit
tee erased the amendment and recommended the pas
sage Of the original bill On the question of concurrence
with the committee, the vote 40 for and 20 against
concurrng There being thus tie, the momentous ques-
tion-whether Congress should interdct slavery in
rtory without the consent against the will Of its resi-
dent citizens, should leave them free and unembar-
raised 10 choose for themselves, at the proper time
c6rding to the American pr cple of selfgoVernment-
depended on the SIM e will of the Speaker who held the
casting and DE- clsi vote That Speaker Henry Clay,
and lie decided against Congressional interference
aud thus left to themselves the people of Arkansas became
n slavehoding State and were admitted such into the
Union without objection. That a model precedent,
uttered sentiment inconsistent with that exemplary
vote His VOTE next year. for the Missouri Compromise
was perfectly consistent with the principle and policy of
his Arkansas vote. In neither instance did he doubt the
mere power of Congress. But, fOreseeing that the
exclusion of slavery from Southern Territory
By special and arbitrary federal legislation,
would disturb the harmony Of the Union and might
lead to disruptOn-beleving that normal expansion
would not make slavery that did previously exist
but would only change its location and meorate its is-
oated condition, and might by reducing thenprdctied
bic numbers in the old States, lead ultimately to its
gradual aud peaceful extinction and feeling that if the
citizens of Arkansas should in the exercise Of their
local rights, choose to adopt slave labor he would not
be responsible for any of the consequences he voted
against depiving them of their choice, or in any way
debating or interfering with its freedom. But in the
other case, considering the compromise necessary
peace offering, aud only an extension of the policy Of
the Ordinance and the Constitution and that slave labor
would not be desirable North Of about $3.50, and snx
Gus to secure peace and proven, ~ future agitation