Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-01-19
Speech Of G. M. Clay,
At Frankfort, Ky.,
CAPITOL STEPS, JAN. 10, 1860.
Reported expressly for the Cincinnati Gazette J

CAPITOL STEPS, JAN. 10, 1860.
Reported expressly for the Cincinnati Gazette J
ARGuMENTuM Gov Msgoflin in his mes
sage, and Vice-President Breckenridge, before
tbs kentucky Legislature, had assailed the
principles aud aims Of the Republican party.
These Mr.. Clay aspired 10 defend. Following
the event of John Browns raid and execu-
ton, the suppression Of the Free South News
paper at Newport by violence, the expulsion
of John G.. Fee and associates from Madison
county, Ky, and the design on the part
of the Slave Ohgarchy 10 pTpetrsto the
reign of terror in all the south it was
generally given olt that Mr.. Clay would
be silenced The halter with which Brown
was hung, the bloody lance which he used
in battle-a present from Gov. Wise to
Gov Magoflin-were freely handed about and
shown in Frankfort, Whilst central Journal
openly put it thst if Clay wss allowed TO speak
in the Capitol, KenIuckiAns would be proven
towards.
Mr. Clay did not ask for the Representa-
tiyes' HALL but it was generally conceded that
by taeit consent he should occupy it, and the
door keeper, Mr.. Gray, promised TO have 1t
hour the Hall was closed and dark, the night
was gloomy and storm threatening. the gas
lights Of the city were darkened, and in tho
"Very immense audience" as described by the
reporter of the Louisville Journal, none spoke
above q whisper As Mr.. Clay rose to speak,
innumerable lights were brought and distrlbu-
ted by unknown hands throughout the crowd
and for more than three hours he was listened
to amidst profound silence or occasional
applause. The difficulty of arranging his
references makes the report of this speech
lose much of its unity; but truth is consider
ed of more Importance than rhetorical argu
ment.
KEN1UcK1AEs That most profound and
philosophical historian, in my opinion, OF all
-GibbOn--spsaks Of courage and sincerity
OF its equivalent, truth, as the greatest Of hu
man virtues. The brave man relying upon his
courage never questions that of another Those
who know me, know full well 1 am not in the
| habit Of speaking of my courage, nor have
ipduleed in that other-what / consider bad
habit of Kentuckians in general, of speaking ol
their courage. will however, transgress my
ordinary rule and speak of it tO-nigEt. If
thought-ifI had thought that you, whose
| blood has illustrated every battle field from the
beginning of our government to this day, were
wanting in that virtue, and if l did not know
| that your illustrious ancestors beginning with
Boone and KentoD, down to this day, possessed
this virtue that was in the land of the Nc
Kees, the Marshalls, the Davises, the Robin
sons, the Clarkes, the Breekinridges, the Olays
the Crittendens, and e host of other men that
have made you illustrious among men, then
might question your courage; but, it is because
that know that am here, among such men
and in Kentucky, that 1 speak here tonight
/ The brave are always generous-always anC
placing implicit confidence in this great funda
mental truth, have never feared to 90 foTtl
through all this broad and glorious land of our
relying upon the justice and magnanimity o
Kentuckians. never asked, l never cared
whether they were Democrats, Republicans
Americans, or of any other party denomination
Thank God, gentlemen, this trust Of mine has
never been falsi6ed. Whether / stand in you
State House, or whether stand outside Of you
State House-Whether I am surrounded bj
light or covered by darkness-I feel equally
safe while I am among Kentuckisns.
Gentlemen, there are some peculiar circum.
stances attending this, my address to night, thai
call for illusions that am not in the habit O.
making. It has been said--I know not what is the
position aud power and influence and talent anC
integrity of the party from whom it eame-that
| il Cass. Clay was allowed to speak 70 night II
the city Of Frankfort, that the world would be
leys the Kentuckians are towards, and that a:
John Brown had intimidated, or "scared" "a
use the word, Virginia, so it would go out that
had intimidated the million Of such
men of Kentucky as surround me to-
night. Gentlemen, what madness, what folly
is this. 1t is because you are brave--it is be-
cause your courage is unquestioned and un-
questionable that there is q confidence abroad
not only among men, but among women and
little children, that l will speak here night,
and be not only heard but respectfully treated
Shame on such a sentiment as that How
would it do for you, whose name has become
synonymous with the word courage, TO hear
it said that you 90 out to silence the voice Of
Cass. Clay in death to prove that you are men.
/ will not elaborate this idea The very women
share none of this intimidation. am proud tC
say, though I do not often speak of these
things, the wife of Cass. Clay has written to
him this day, not that she has hopes
may escape alive from a scene of intimidating
threats that have come from high and potent
sources--noi she is a Kentucky born woman, and
such thing never enters her thoughts and,
she "prays God that 1 may most gloriouslyvin-
dicate my principles tonight" You men who
hear me Tonight; the very women who heal
this sentiment will 90 away better men ani
better women for the hearing. The time will
come when to those who shall succeed US, i
fortune shall suffer them, it will be proud re-
Election that you thus vindicated your title tC
the name Of courageous men.
NO PERSONAL FEELINGS ENGAGED.
Gor,o ranfIsrnau hava auDDosed that inaa