The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-04-13

out of the way. All were on their feet and
apparently ready for action, some urging on
the row, others aiming to calm the Storm
No blows, however were struck, and peace
was restored on the condition that MIR. Love
Joy would either speak from his seat or from
the Clerks desk. Selecting the latter posi-
ton, the speaker continued in an eloquent
strain of bitter denunciation of slavery and
shareholders, during which a running fire
was kept up against him by Southern gentle
men.
The War against Cassius NJ. Clay.
We give upon our first page what account
we then had of the civil war that is threaten
ing in Kentucky. The following extract of
letter from Mr.. Clay to friend in New
York, gives some details which are of vast
interest to the people of this country. Mr..
Clay attributes the driving out of the Berean
colony Of abolitionists from Kentucky to a
conspiracy to involve him in trouble and so
force him to leave the state. The pro-slave-
ry rutfians supposed that Mr.. Clay's chival
rous disposition would lead him to 90 to the
defence of the Bereans, and that it would be
then easy to raise such storm of excitement
against him and other Republicans that they
would all be expelled together. Mr.. Clay
would not espouse the cause of the Bereans
because they hold that slavery has no legal
existence and consequently is not to be re-
spected, and denounced them as radicals
The pro-slavery men tried to hold him re-
sponsible for their opinions. The collision
that occurred in Madison county was between
the pro-slavery men and the Republicans,
and Mr.. Clay gives the following account
of it:
! On the 9th went to Berea and advised
my friends to stand aloof from Hanson, the
radical leader, in all respects, and also beg
ged Hanson to leave the state, telling him
the consequences, but he declined. So soon
as the committee heard | was at Berea on
Saturday and Sunday, they raised terrible
clamor, accused me of debating the letter of
Hanson to bring on 4 war, mustered their
forces and made night expedition of the
most desperate kind, all The moderates being
lett behind, expecting to take me by surprise
and put me to death. This was told me by
friend in the revolutionary committee
They however did not reach Berea before
daylight, armed with shot guns and pistols.
They searched all the houses. insulted the
women and our friends, and at la.t were so
violent to West and his daughter, Republi-
can, that our party would stand it no longer,
bat went in defense of West. when the par
Ties met and battle took place in which 3
OF the mobiles were wounded. an old Mexi-
can companion IN arms contessing to me in
private shot in the thigh, and at last de-
teated. They returned in great cousterna-
ton. wrote to the governor tor aid sent to
Lexington for cannon and men TO shoot it.
In the meantime 1t was supposed that was
there backing my forces. had gone to
Washington and thence to my sister Smith
stating to divers persons that my mission
had been one OF peace and not of war; but
they rallied in force several hundred on Tues.
day, and finding the foe gone they 'kilIc,!
engaged in the tight. and gave their families
notice to leave the state by tuesday following
at the same time making violent threat tol
me.
In the meantime on Tuesday, in Richmond
| took the stump and disabused the public
mlnd OF The calumnles against me, and left
for home. But the excitement continued
and was more and more denounced. Yes
,erday meeting was held to consider me-
had my appeal to the citizens of Madison
county out i'll handbills, and early in me day
had them circulated-tkey were read and
discussed some for, some against me. As
the meeting took place in the court house
which could not hold all the people, MOI
could my informant hear much, but speeches
were maidstone for, some against me, bu,
no resolution was passed against ME. NJ,
handful was read, and they adjourned into
private caucus. 1t is believed that they will
80 to Berea to-day, and finding no one, for
have told my boys to retreat, leaving thei.
wives and children at home, they Will dis
solve. If such be the case, and no one i,
killed, think We will have gained com
rlete victory over them. If some are killed
God only knows the end. We will at once
take to the mountains and defend ourselye.
to the last
If we had fifty or one hundred Sharpe's ri
flies, it would give US immense power in the
) mountain recesses, where cannon could moi
reach us. 1t is said the governor will be re-
ally called upon to keep the peace. Goo
knows We don't want the scenes of Kansa.
again re-enacted-first disarming us and Their
setting our foes upon US. In haste, youl
friend, c.. NJ. CLAY.