Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1860-02-09
@. M. GIap's Sptttb
Speech of G. M. Clay, at Frank.
fort. Kentucky, Jan. 10, 1860.

] he Cincinnati Gazette con.
tsins IN full the memorable Frankfort
Speech Of Cassius M. Clay, In vindicution
Of Republicsn principles, in snswer, especi-
ally, to the. late attacks Of Vice Pre.iden,
Breck:nridge and Gov. Magofin. He spoke
Tor three hours and half, to an sudience
Of 1000 or 1900 people, mostly preiudiced
and bitter opponents OF his doctrines. and
IN spite Of Fliberats threats of violence,
should he attempt to speak as announced.
The extreme length ofthis able speech pre-.
vents u. from giving in our columns
more than s,me Of its most noteworthy
passages.
After some personal explanations, ma
turally suggested BY .ecen, events in Madi-
son county and by the circumstances under
which he appeared before mis- auditors, Mr..
Clay first proceeded to notice the "higher
law" and "irre pressib.e conflict" doctrines
attributed to the Republican party:
THE HIGHER LAW.
understand the preliminary charge to
be, in the first place, against what the dis
tinguished Senator elect chooses to style the
sentiment of the leading Republican of the
United States, none other than Gov Sew.
ard, the present Senator of New York.
Allow me to say, in the beginning, that
tizsn of Senator Seward; but standing as
he does, one Of the representatives of the
Empire State of New York, that great State
in which centres not only the commerce,
but, may say, the political inte telligence Of
this country; admitted on all hands to
be as able man, if not the ablest man, in
the Senate of the United States, say
would be doing injustice were not to win.
dicate him from all that which is unjustly
imputed to him here. At other times and
in other places that Senator ia perfectly
competent to vindicate himself, but here in
Kentucky where that vindicution, on ac-
count OF the censorship Of the press, aad
in part, the refusal 10 allow the constitution
al lreedom Of speech he will hardly else be
vindicatcd. imagine shall not be con.
sdered at al. intrusive if | answer one or
two of those charges made BY those dis
tinguished gentlemen.
| The tirst denunciation that comes to Us
with regard to Mr.. Seward is that he is a
higher law man. Let US look at that for u
momenl--a higher law man. intend to
be very distinctly understood on this sub
ject. In this time as great issues--issues
unparalleled in their consequence in the
: world are dependent upon the principles
advocated by parties, and you will allow Inc
to ~ into details as to the true meaning oI
this term. ] understand, then, gentlemen,
in the common sense in which this term is
used, by higher law, an enactment that
has the sacredness, the weight and The pow.
er that belongs to no human law. Now are
we Christian people, and is there any man
that claims to be one Of the common broth.
erhood OF Christianity that will deny tina,
there is an over-ruling Providence who
: governs the universe by eternal and i'm.
mutube laws which will prevail, the viciour
or sscrlegious attempts Of man to the con
! trary Notwithstanding! There is no man
Of Christian goodness as to utter any such
idea es that. That then is the "higher law
which he acknowledged, and although.I dc
not quote him from the book, | will state
his position specifically; it was on the ques
tion OF admitting the Territory on the Pa
ciis as free State when he said that Cali
fornin ought not only to be free, but homt
for those driven out from The Slave Siate
] by the competition oil unpaid labor, and 70
others driven from their homes by the com
petition Of capital in the Fres States; bu
there was "higher law" even than Con
stitutisns. to which this new constitution
e should be con.ormed. ] put it to every
t Democrat who hears me tonight II that il
not the true doctrine. II that be not SO
how dares President Buchanan to make hi
recommendations to Congress, in the nan,
Of the Almighty God!
!, That, then, is the assertion. It 10 not al
| assertion that brings anarchy upon com
munity, but it is the only one principle o
right and justice upon which the permanen
good of the community can rest; it is tn,
. only permanent security for goods, property
. teputation. lives and opinion, and that wa
+ the sense in which Senator Seward has ut
tered that sentiment, and he has again an
again said when Constitutions were made
: ard laws enacted. rot that we should cas-
u ignominy and reproach upon them, or dis
i obey them, bu, that we should acquiesce il
l. them, obeying them until they are change
by an intelligent constituency. acting
through the Legislative department of tn
government. That is what he said, an
there | stand by him, here and elsewhere
now and forever, and there is not man her
tonight that does not stand by US, ackno vl
edge That principle, that higher law, tina
relisnce upon God, If he dare speak hi
!. honest sentiments.
. THE IRREpREssIBLE CONFLICT.
y Another allegation is made against. tha
Senator, intended 10 affect the Republics
organization. II 10 now alleged that he ha
announced in his Rochester speech. thi
much abused and cant phrase OF a conflict
that there. is a coafict between slave labo
and free labor all through this government
!. anJ ,h., that oonA;ct has hae unipo on N A.