The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1860-04-28
k1a1Y clAY's orIHyoxs uPoN TIE fxRAi-
fo8lAL oUx9If0M.

IO8IA4 0VkD1JOh.
We perceive that controversy Is 90.
ing on between the Louisville Journal
and the ST. IIonis Evening News. rela-
tive to Henry Clays opinions upon the
question of slavery in the territories.
The News is Black Republican paper
and supporter Of Edward Bates, whose
view. il contends, and we think clearly
establishes. are identical with those en-
tertained by Mr.. Clay The News pre-
sents. in Mr. Clay's own language, first,
% denial that III. Constitution guarantees
TO the people II the Southern states the
power, under the Constitution, to carry
slavery into the territories and. sec
ondly, that no earthly power could in
ducc him 20 vote for specific measure
for the introduction Of slavery where II
had not before existed In other words,
that slavery could not righifuly 60 10
the territories except by positive law
that such law would be uncoustitu
tiena and one which no earthly power
could induce him to support
There was a dazzling brlliancy ard
fcrvor about Mr.. Clay, which blinded his
supporters to the true import Of his doc
trines. Nopublic man in this puntry was
more thoroughly and dcely 'mbucd with
anii-slavcry sentiments, or exhibited
more determination in resisting the OK
tension OF the institution The editor
II the journal seemed to so regard him
when !, presented his life to the rrblic
Mr.. Clay commenced his public career
by cnieavorng to make Kentucky a free
State, aud among his last acts was the
publication Of letter giving the infu
purpose Of his life In the speech quo
ted by the News occurs this language /:
Sir while you rY,oaei, a'm ,saiy 'oo
our British ancestors loi the introduc-
lion Of this institution upon the thu con.
I tipent Of North America. am, for one
not willing that the postcrity of the
present inhabitants Of California and
New Mexico shall rcproach us for doing
what we reproach Great Britain for do.
/ ing to us
Mr. Clay made n speech st Lexington
during the existence Of the Mexican war
aud at It's conclusion, resolutions were
introduced and passed, il our recollcc
/ ton serves us right, aisclaiming any in
tenlion to extend slavery beyond it's
present'limits and dcptecatiag any such
movement
| In the Presidential canvass of 1874,
between Polk aui Clay, Nj Webster, who
certainly understood Mt Clay's opinions
as well AS any man in ia. country. contend.
ed that Mr. Clar was, to all ntcnts and
purposcs.an anti slave-y man. aud that
the wing party was the true antislavc-
~ party Of the country
Every well Informed politician is or
ought 10 be aware Of the fact that Mr..
Calbona and Mr.. Clay entertained adj
verse opinions upon the subject Il slave
~ in the territories, and that the former
was denounced by the friends Of Mr..
Clay as an uItraist and dsunonist,
simply for contcndng that the Constitu.
ton authorized southern men to carry
their slaves into the territories. and that
when there, slaves were entitled to like
protection with every other species Of
property Admiration for Mr.. Clay
should not blind men, To- his faults The
great error of his life aud one pregnan,
with mischief to the South, was his
steady aud persistent antisayery course
his well known opposition to slavery cx-
tension his ardent desire ~ make Ken
lucky free State. He was an apollo
gist for slavery never It's defender. In
speech made in 1910, he used this Ian
guage Mr. President, | am 10 friend
of slavery. The searchcr Of all hearts
knows that every pulsation of mine beats
hish anu strong in the cause Of civil
liberty" At that day senlhcrn men
did not see nor know, nor could they re-
alize the drift Of autislavcry fanaiicism
Conservatism and prudent counsels car
ried the day against principle, right,
duty, and the constitution. The evil day
protrac,cd, has at last to be met. The
people of the Union, have finally to
decide the question Of State equality
But for Mr.. Clay and his doctrines,
il would have Seen decided earlier, aud
IN favor Of the South.
RKp KWrn-The navigation in Red River
this year, seems to be closing out earlier