Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-12-15
CassIus Nj. CLAY on secession.

As the various Black Republican letter writers
seem to concur in the opinion that CAsslrs NJ.
CLAY viii be Secretary Of War under Mr. LINCOLN,
his opinions on Secession assume considerable i'm
portance. We therefore publish extract from a
recent letter from him, giving his views on that
subject We italicse portions of his letter and ask
for them the considerable attention of all our readers
Of every party. 1t VIII be seen that be believes
ony the one great battle has been won and that in
the war which is to be waged on the seeding States
"TEe Union party a! tie South lr0d be our BLACK Re
p,t5ican) allies" Mr.. CLAY will find himself
mistaken. As was truly remarked by the Mem
Memphis appeal a few days since, no one who has
had access to Black Republican journals can have
failed to notice that all the ridcule that has been
heaped upon South Carolina, all the denunciations
Of Southern men, by a portion of the Southern
press, has been eagerly caught up by Black Repub-
editors and ostentatiously paTaded before their
readers to stifen the backbone Of their party and
encourage them in their determination to oppose 3"
in the language of Mr.. LINCOLN, " the lowering of
the Republican standard, even by hairs breadth
Mr. GAYS letter written in response to an in
vitation from Miami county, Ohio. to attend a cele
bration of the victory achieved in the election Of
LINCOLN and HANLIN. He says:
The people of Ohio have nobly served the country
and nobly done their whole duty. She has not only
proved by her extraordinary progress in all our
modern civilization. which has made her the En-
pire State of the West the pre-eminent advantages
of Liberty over Slavery, but by her pioneer and
consistent support Of liberal principles, she has
shown herself worthy CT her leadership.
There are none Of our people who have more
cause TO rejoice in late triumph than yourselves
because few if any have done 50 much toward its
success.
Iregard the 9th of November, 1860, as next in im-
portance to the 18th of July, I776.
The delay which separated from the British
rule and Parliamentary tyranny was not more ne
cessary to ultimate security and happiness than
tie day which has freed US from the more destruc-
tive supremacy of the slave oligarchy. No observ-
ant mind can fail TO see that the British Govern
ment, with all its defects and abuses, gives more
protection TO life liberty and property than the ir-
responsible and lawless rule Of shareholders. |
speak not only of the terrible infiction of lynch
law. upon all persons who are suspected of a want
Of fidelity to their interest but OF that general law
essness which pervades the whole slave society and
assImilates total insecurity TO the phases of
the " dark ages
In wrestling the Government from such influences,
and placing it upon the basis of justice and law
the Republican party have entitled themselves to the
eternal gratitude of mankind.
But we must not iatter ourselves that our work
is done. 6ly The great battle has been IRON. The
threats of rebellion and necessary ciU grar l1lch mast
attend is dcuajty US TO be Our guard, and call
for no 0ypGriotiSIn.
While we would bear with a brotherly forbear-
ance, with the sore disappointment Of our late
rulers. and give them, patiently, tine TO accOmm0-
date themselves TO the new order Of things, frank
ness and wise philanthropy compel US to say to
them once that peqcea5ls secession IS bit peace
able TeJaliOa-AN UTTER ABSURDITY. Neither one
slave State, four slave States all the Stare SGeS
will be allowed peaceably TO secede. Every man of
sense sees that civil would be better than that
eternal which would be the result Of a divided
nation The forces engaged would be less, and the
result final The Union party at the South lCOld be
allies. and with victory. which would be sure for
the Union and right, would come peace and homo
genious empire. But allow secession. and then |
with the Southern seeding States united, would /
come war inevitably the first time we met upon /
the rivers or the seas. which would be settled ant |
renewed from century to century. The South must I
know that the Republicans intend to allow all her |
constitutional rights; and then maintain their own to
the last ext entity. This is Government Of the peO-
pie andsH0 compact Of the Saics;' there is no way
to dissolve the Union but by rebellion and civil war
1t remains for the Shareholders to choose the Union
as il Is and was. and Is 20 remain or rush into
with it, and take all the chances OF veal OF woe |
For as, we have no choice: we bound by all |
that is sacred among men 10 maintain the Govern
ment in It's supremacy. and our principles upon
which il is based. We cannot choose ground. |
Destiny places in the post Of honor, and perhaps
Of DANGER and we are towards if we falter in our |
duty TO country. and the liberties Of the people
We must stand on the immortal language of Jack |
son, THE Union. by the Eternal ShdNbe preserved
There we must stand, now and henceforth. or be !
forever slaves.
May God inspire cur hearts with the courage and |
patriotism of &c; and may our cause, whether |
through peace or blood be eternaly triumphant, is !
the aspiration Of yours truly, C. NJ. CLAY.