Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-04-16
Iutn,,tee 10 Henry Clay.

Tn effect a union of the entire opposition tf
the democratic party upon bin, and 10 theh
zeal 10 accomplish this purpose have not only
barayed the principles of their party but are
doing gross injustice TO the memory of HENRY
CLAY. They assert that the doctrines enun'
ciat@d by MIR. BATES, in his letter to the OF
Louis Republicans, are identical with those
of Mr.. CLAY, and give extracts from speeches
of Mr.. C.. 10 sustain the assertion. 1t Is need
less to say that these extracts ane unfair and
misrepresent the great statesman.
Mr.. BATES, in his letter, avows bis opposl-
ton to the extension of slavery, and declares
that "the spirit and policy of the government
oucbt to be against extension" This il the
sum and substance of republicanism in its
most Objectionable form. Acting upon this
nr;nciple. as Mr.. BATES would be bound to
do. if elected to the Presidency, he would
bring the whole influence and power OF the
general government, so far as he could, to
hear against the extension of slavery; and if
Congress should pass a law abolishing or
probibiting slavery in any territory, would
anproye and execute it. None but the most
inyeterate aboliIionists ask more than this
Republieanirm may aim at more ultimately,
but this is all il asks at present.
Now, let US suppose Mr. CLAY elected to
the Presidency: What would be his course
relative to questions proposing to extend or
prohibit slavery in the Territories? Would
he use the influence and power incident to
II N
Would he approve law prohibiting slavery
in any territory? The answer TO the inter
rogatOries at once exposes the fallacy OF the
assertion that there is accord between his
opinions and those of Mr. BATES. Mr.. CLAY
lCouId not Use the influence of his position to
prevent the extension of slavery. He would
hold himself entirely neutral, aud permit the
people of the territories, when they come to
form Stale Government, to settle the ques-
tion of slavery to their own satisfaction He
c .uId not, therefore, approve law prohibit
ing slavery in any territory.
We admit that Mr.. CLAY was opposed TO
the extension of slavery In one OF his last
Speeches in the United States Senate, in 1850,
be proclaimed this fact with an emphasis and
direciness which leaves no room for question.
Yet, at the same time, he placed upon record
his invincibIe opposition to any interference,
on the part of Congress, with the institution
any where. 1t was the obi, ct of his memora-
bl. iabors in the Senate in 1850. to remove
from the political discussions of the country,
all the dangerous Issues growing out of The
question of slavery, and to furnish his cOun-
trymen with basis upon which they could
stand .'in all future time, '-their harmony
and fraternal feelings undisturbed by sec
tioDal agitations and disputes. He felt that
his country was in the midst of perils which,
If not removed. wOnld overthrow her institu-
tions and destroy the fair fabric of liberty
which makes this continent light aud land
mark to the devotees of freedom every
where and, as the shadows of night were
darkening around him, his high ambition was
to contribute something, before his light
should be forever extinguished, to pcrpetuate
the Constitution and the Liberties OF bis
countrymen. He exalted himself above party,
above sections, executed his great resolve,
and achieved his noble purpose. He re-
created, as IL were. his country and her in
situations and left on record the doctrine of
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. as his last and sublimest
work 1t is treason to his fame-a SANDER
went to his grave the author of doctrines
which, carried out. would defeat the great
end aud object of bis dying services. 1t is
foul wrong 10 connect his name with the idea
of Mr.. BATES that the spirit and policy of this
government ought TO be against the extension
of slavery. Let those VINO desire TO aposta-
tise from the true faith. and worship at The
shrine of republicanism. find some other ex-
euse. They can not cover their ignominy
with the mantle of the great whig chief, who
lived and died foe to the principle which
cements the bonds OF repubIicanism. Here Is
the legacy be left. 1t should be written in
letters OF gold upon the hearts of the Ameri-
can people:
alt l. high time that the wounds which IL
1.-THE wilmot Proviso) has inflicted should he
healed MP and closrd; and that, tn avoid IN
ALL FUTURE TINE, the agisalions which
must be produced by the conflict OF opinions
on the slavery question. existing rs this in-
stitution does in some Of the States. and pro-
hibie,l ID il in Others The true o,iSci,ic trhcA
orqkf 10 regulate the action Of Cbagress forssing
ferrtioriai governments for Eelriy acquired d9Gs
q 10 refrsia from ALI. LEGISLATION on rHE SrB-
JEcr, the teSritOry acquired long retSIns
ske terf,ioriaI form =. goUersR'ess-LEAvING IT To
THE PEOPLE or SUCH TERRITORY, WHEN TuEr
HAVE ATTAINED tn CONDITION WHICH kNrI-
TEES THEM IN ADMISSION ASA STATE, To DE-
eide FOR THEMSELVES THE ALLOWANCE or PRO
HIBrrIox OF DOMESTIC SLAVERY"
Thi. Is the doctrine Of Mr.. CLAY. II is an
extract from his report as Chairman of the
Committee OF Thirteen ia lS5o. II is the doc
trine which was practically iaaugarated in
the territorial bills of Utah and New Mexico.
It Is an express rel setlon Of the idea Of the
wilmot Proyiso, aud Mr.. BArEs's doctrine
that the spirit and policy of the government
ought to be against the extension OF slavery.
IL declares tina; the spirit and policy OF the
government ought to be, and the "Irue doe
frine" Is. 10 refrain from all legislation on
the !suhject-io lie, the people Immediately
interested settle the matter for themselves.
This Il the doctri9e Of the Constitutional
Unian Party, and no man who does not sub
scribe TO il. eeed expect 20 receive the Balli-
more nomination, Neither Mr. BArEs nor
his friends Of the Raltimuse Pstrsas AMI 81
Louis sssrs nved exPect any fsve' 20 be sbown
lin by the Baltimore Convention. So n
As he>Lonstitutional Union Party is coHe-rtl-
ed. b.. IS .>zad- AS soon nigh: SEWARD *
p~cf their support. liz is well enough for ihis
10 be understood by all interested. Ii q un-
ds.rstood by the rrpablieans; and II not by
Mr.. BArEs's so-calied Southern Opposition
supporters, IL will be.
Aequittal OF Young srowalew.
The following despatch. rcesissd by gem
siennaa of fhis civ SafurlaE night. exnlain.