New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-14
SPEECH OF CASSIUS NJ CLAY.


An announcements though from mouth 10 mouth
ONLY that c. 81. Clay would speak somewhere in
Frankfort tonight, detained large number OF the
Democratic State Convention delegates and filled the
strees a an early hour; il was rumored that he would
be attacked he pei sisted in speaking during the pres
ent excitement, bnt beyond shutting him ont Of the
State House, no indgnities were offered. de said;
" Kentuckians the proOundest of historians, GbbOn
sad that of the virtues courage and sincerity are the
greatest you know that never speak of my courage
and regard Boosting of the worst faults of
class of my but the circumstances OF to
night Justify in abiding TO the proverbal courage
of KentuckiaDs Relying upon that courage OF you're
come here tonight, one against million, IL may be-
As have gone abroad all over this Commonwealth, it
has been insipuated that John Brown inundated
Virginia intended to bully all Kentucky, and for
this reason it would be best TO silence altogether
| Your known courage is sufficient rebuke to this.
| Your women and children have no fears. There liz
one who should be sacred from publicity but am JUS
tilted in holding up this letter from Cash. Clays wife,
in which che says nothing of my personal safety That
s of small account indeed but she hopes that tonight
! will vindicate the great cause | deny the charge
ment that on the 10th Of January would reply to pas
cages of the inaugural of Gov Magon and the speech
of Vice President Breckenridge. They are brave and
honorable men, but they are fallibe. Humble as |
am-not so much allowed the peoples hall TO speak
in-I am still citizen, and shall exercise the rights OF
one. Whatever has been said against me- you believe
think what speak. am An Emancpationist. He
is not dangerous who avows his sentiments.
MIR. Clay alluded TO the expulsion of John G. Fee
| and some nineteen others from Madison County, and
declared Fee pure and upright man. though he Clay
did agree with him in hs assumption Of not being
| amenabe to the laws and had warned him he should
not sustain him therein. He Clay fought under the
Constitution and the laws but the act of driving Fee
ont was awless and unustifable. Fee and his assocl
ates had preached no new god, but had built saw mills
and school houses and tonight the neglected youth OF
the mountain districts, who had other teachers and
no other friends the reports in your State archives
attest condemn their expulsion. Fee had no Shapes
II II L,t
was peaceable and devoted Christian preacher Mr.
CLAY had written these facts to the Madison County
papers and to the Cincinnati papers but the letters had
been allowed TO reach their destination IN time TO
disabuse the popular mind and the most useful teach
ers and workers in Madison County driven FORTH
Senator Breckenridge has alluded to the position OF
Senator Seward in terms that require protest from
me- Elsewhere the statesman of New-York VIII yln'
dictate himself but here in Kentucky, where the press
is not free and liberty of speech not universal he has
right 10 expect defense at my hands. Mr. Clay pro-
ceeded to show that by "bgher law Seward intended
the same reverent acknowledgment of an overriding
Providence and the eternal supremacy OF divine law,
that every statesman and good citizen acknowledged
in other terms. Mr.. Clay was impressiyely eloquent
in this part. He next proceeded to defend Seward
expression in regard TO the "iTepresslble conflict
and showed that the Representatives OF South Carolina
and other Slave States and the editor of The LOUIS
riRe Coarier to-day 80 jubilant Guthries tri-
umph had announced the "irrepressible conflict In
more offensive terms. There was an "irreprcssible
conflict" and il became his hearers to examine well
before they choose their side there hundreds in
Frankfort tonight and tens of thousands in Kentucky,
who if they dared TO speak their thoughts would pro-
claim opposition not only to slave code in Territories,
but TO Slavery here at home
After these opening remarks, Mr.. Clay proceeded TO
an elaborate argument in yindcaon Of the principles
of the Republican party against the aspersions of
Breckinridee and MagoHin report will be sent you
by mail. The scene in the State House yard was
striking Scores Of candles, brought by willing hands,
partially dspelled the darkness and showed the heavy
frame The white hair and the flashing eye of Clay as
he stood in relief against the grey pillars OF the Cap
tol. A large number of influential saveholders were
none knew where they came from. His voice rung
out so loud and clear that all the city within three or
four squares was his audience.