The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1860-02-11
Speech Of Cassius NJ. Clay,
AT LExINGToN. KY. JAN. 10. 1860.

AT LEXINGTON, KY, JAN. ~, icou-
This able and eloquent defense OF Repub-
lean principles in the heart OF slave State
fills twelve columns in the Tribune. We
have room for but few extracts this week.
Mr.. Clay did not ask for the Representa-
tiyes' Hall; but it was generally coded that
by tacit consent he should occupy it. and
the door-keeper, Mr.. Grey, promised to
have it open and lighted up. But at the
appointed hour the Hall was closed and
dark; the night was gloomy, and a storm
threatening, the gas lights OF the city were
darkened, and in the every immense audi
enee,'' rs, described by the reporter of the
Louisville Journal, none spoke above a
whisper. AS Mr.. Clay spoke, innumera-
bic lights were brought and distributed by
unknown hands throughout the crowd, and
for more than three hours he was listened to
amid the most profound silence or occasional
applause.o The dificulty5of arranging his
references makes the report of the speech
lose much of its unity; but truth is consid-
cred of more. importance than rhetorical ar
rangement 8. 20 a-a
6KENTUoKIAEs THAT most profound and
philosophical historian, in my opinion OF
all ages ibbon-speaks of courage, and
sincerity, or it's equivalent truth, as the
greatest of human virtues. The brave
man, relying on his courage, never ques
tions that of another. Those who know
me, know full well I am not in the habit of
speaking of my courage, nor have indulg-
ed In that other-what consider a bad
habit of Kentuckians in general-of speak
ing of their courage. will, however,
transgress my ordinary rule and speak of 1T
tonight. If thought-if had thought
that you, whose blood has illustrated every
battlefield from the beginning of our gov
eminent to this day, were wanting in that
virtue, and If did not know your illustri-
GUS ancestors, beginning with Boone and
Kenton, down to this day, possessed tEis
virtue; that was in the land of the Nc
Kees, the Marshalls, the Daviesses, the
Robinsons, the Clarks, the breckenridge,
the Clays, the Crittendens, and a host of
other men that have made you illustrious
among men, then I might question your
courage; but, it is because / am known that
I am here, and among such men and in
Kentucky, that speak here tonight. The
brave are always generous-always and
placing implicit confidence in this great
fundamental truth, ] have never feared to go
forth through all this broad and glorious
land of ours, relying upon the justice and
magnanimity of KeRtuckians. never
asked, / never cared, whether they were
Democrats, Republicans, Americans, or of
any other party denomination. Thank God,
gentlemen, this trust of mine has never
been falsifed. Whether stand in your
State House or whether stand outside Of
your State House-whether / am surround
ed by light or covered by darkness, [ feel
equally safe while am among Kentuckians.
Gentlemen, there are some peculiar cir
cumstances attending this, my address to-
night, that call for illusions that l am not
in the habit of making. 1t has been said
know not what is the position and power
and influence and talent and integrity of
the party from whom it carne-that If Cass.
Clay was allowed to speak tonight IN the
city of Frankfort, the world would believe
the Kentuckians are towards, and that John
Brown had inundated, or 'tscared," to use
the word, Virginia, so it would go out that
had intiniidated the million of such men
of Kentucky as surround me tonight
Gentlemen, what madness, what folly Is
this 1t is because you are brave-it Is
because your courage is unquestioned and
unquestionable, that there is confidence
abroad, not only among men, but among wo-
men and little children, that ] will speak
here tonight, and be not only heard but
respectfully treated. Shame on such SEN
timent as that How would it do for you,
whose name has become Synonymous with
the word courage, to hear it said that you
must 60 out to silence the voice of Cass.
Clay in death to prove that you are men
i will not elaborate this idea. The very
women share none of this intimidation. /
am proud to say. though do not often
speak of these things, the wife of Cass.
Clay has written to him this day; not that
she hopes may escape alive a scene of in
timidating threats that have come from high
and potent sources-not she is Kentucky
born woman, and such thing never enter
ed her thoughts; and she s'prays God that
may most gloriously vindicate my princi-
pies tonight" You men that hear me to-
night, the very women who hear this senti-
nent, will 90 away better men and better
when to those who shall succeed us, if for
tune shall suffer them, it will be proud
reflection that you have title to the name of
courageous men. -. II. tet.ssrr
THE HIGHER LAW.
understand the preliminary charge to be
In the first place, against what the distin-
guished Senator elect chooses to style the
sentiment of leading Republican of the
United States, none other than Gov. Sew
ard, the present Senator of New York. Al
low me to say. in the beginning, that am
not now, and never have been, partisan of
Senator Seward; but. standing as he does,
one of the representatives of the Empire
State of New York, that great State in
which centers not only the commerce, but,
I may say. the political intelligence Of this