The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-02-09
SPEECH OF CASsIUs M. CLAY.
Delivered on the Capitol Steps at Frank.
fort, January 10, 1860,
From the Cincinnati Gazette.


From the Cincinnati Gazette
Governor Magefin in his message, and
Vice President BreCkinridge before the
Kentucky Legislature, had assailed the
principles and aims of the Republican
party. Those Mr.. Clay aspired to de-
fend. Following the event Of John Browns
raid aud execution, the suppression of
The Free South newspaper at Newport by
violence, the expulsion Of John G. Fee
aud ass sociates from Madison County,
Ky, and the design on the part of the
Slave Cligarcy to perpetuate the reign
of terror in all the South. it was general
ly given out that Mr. Clay would be ST.
fenced. The hsltsr with which Brown
was hung, the bloody lance which be used
in battle-o present from Gov, Wise to
Gov. Msgofin-was freely handed about
iD Frankfort. While a ceptrsl Journal
openly put it if Clay was allowed to speak
in the Capitol. KeUtuckiaus would be
proved to be towards.
Mr.. Clay did not ask for the Represen-
tatiyes' Hall; but it was generally ceded
that by tacit consent be should o,cupy it,
and the door keeper. Mr.. Grey, promised
to have il open and lighted up. But at
the appointed hour the Hall was closed
and dark, the night was gloomy aud
storm threatening, the gas lights of the
city were darkened. and in the "very i'm
mense audience" as described by the re-
porter Of Tie LOutSviAe Journal, none
spoke above a whisper. As Mr.. Clay
rose, inuumerable lights were brought and
distributed By unknown bands through
out the crowd, and for uore than three
hours he was listened to auid profound
silence or occasional applause. The diff
fculty OF arranging bis references makes
the report Of bis speech lose much of its
unity; but truth is considered of moro i'm
portauce than rhetorical arrangement.
KENTUcKIANs That most profuond
and philosophical historian, in my opin-
ion, OF all ages-Gibbon-spesks of Cou
rage, sni sincerity, or its equivalent,
truth, as the greatest of human virtue
The brave man, relying on his courage,
never questions that of another. Those
who know me, know full well am not
in the habit Of speaking of my courage,
nor have INDUCED in that otber-what
consider bad habit of Kentuckians in
general of speaking of their courage.
| will, however, traDsgrers my ordinary
rule and speak of it tonight. II |
thoue bt-if had thought that sou, whose
blood has illustrated every battlefield
( from the beginning Of our government to
this day, were wanting in that virtue, aud
if did not know that yoor ilIustrious an
eestors, beginning with Boone and Keu-
ton, down to this day, possessed this vir-
tue; that was in the land of McKees,
the Marshslls, the Davisses, the Robin
soDs, the Clarkes, the Breckinridges, the
/ Clays, the Critic ndeus, and host of 9TH
er u.en tha, bave made you illustrioos a.
mong uen, then | might question your
courage; but, it is because that know that
| am here, and among such men and i1
/ Kentucky. that speak here to night. The
brave are alwsys generous-always! !! and
placing imp phcit confidence in this great fun
damental truth, have never feared to go
forth through all this broad and glorious
land of ours, relying upon the justice and
10 magnsnimity of KeutuckiaDs. L never
asked, never cared, whether they were
Democrats. Republicans, Americans, or
of Guy other party Denomination. Thank
God, gentleren, this trust of mine has
never been fasiGed. Whether staud in
your State House or whether [ stand out.
side OF your State House whether | am
surrounded by light or covered by dark
ness, feel equally safe while | am among
Keutuckians.
Gentlemen, there are some peculiar
circumstances attending this, NY address
to night, that call for allu-ious that am
not in the habit of making. 1t has been
said-I kpow not what is the position and
power and influence and talent and integ
rity ofthe party from whom it came-that
il Cass. Clay was allowed to speak tonight
10 the city of Frankfort, the world would
believe the Keuiuckians are towards, and
that as John Brown had intimidated. or
"searcd," to use the word, Virginia; SO it
would 90 out that had iuimidated the
million of such men of Ky. as surround
ue tonight Gentlemen, what madness,
what folly is this 1t is because you are
brsve-it is because your courage is IN.
questioned and unquestionable, that there
is confidence abroad not only among
men, but among women and little chill
dren, that will speak here tonight and
be not only heard but respectfully treated
Shame on such sentiment as that. How
would it do fer you, whose name has be-
come Synonymous with the word courage,
to hear it said that you go out to silence
the voice of Cass. Clay 10 death to prove
that you are uenl | will not elaborate
this idea. The very women share none of
this intimidation. | am proud to say,
thought DO rot often speak of these things
the wife of Cass Clay has written to bin
this day; not that she hopes may escape
alive from a scene of intimidating threats
lat have come from high and potent soar
ces--no she is Kentucky-born woman.
and such a thing never entered her