Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-04-16
about slavery by just compact which, even not bind

about slavery by just compact which, even not bind
ing in law would be still more binding in honor he
ted for that great measure of pacfcation and Union
The controlling motive VAS 10 prevent Congressional
Intervention in all time TO come. And this alone would
proye that he opposed any such Intervention
cept as a sectional amnesty.
Those who recklcssy assert that Mr. Clay opposed
to the expansion Of slavery into any Territory Of the
United States and who claim his great auhor
ty for interference by the Federal Government for pre-
venting any such expansion, altogether mistaken.
know that the Missouri Compromise not the off,
spring of any such policy. voted for that Compro-
mise: and of all who cooperated in the enactment Of
it-ncudng the President his Cabinet and members of
Congress- am, as believe, the only survivor. may,
therefore be permitted to speak for my dead coadntor
who cannot speak for themselves And thus speaking
aver that the controlling motive with all who voted for
that healing measure, was to prevent future interference
Jy Congress Th the question of SLAVERY in The Terrific
i,s And as it was only intended for that Office but
expected to effect it, the Northern members uoted al
most unanimously against IL.
Mr. Claws vote for the Missouri Compromise can,
therefore afford preext for claiming him. (any
than all others who approved i'd being favorable to
Congressional sectional agitation Of slavery lie did
saw 10 the last act OF his Senatorial drama discussing
the "fndIty Of 1850 that he would never vote for the
extension of slavery But whyy Because non-interven
ton was his Union doctrine and consequently he could
not consistently, vote either for imposing slavery
people opposed to it, for preventing its ntroduc-
said that he would for of Congress prevent
The exclusion of slavery among a free community who
desired it, And looking TO- all his acts and declarations
relating that subject, all authorized to infer
that he would have cooperaed with any party
supported any candidate favoring the agitation of the
question Of slavery either sectiOnaly or nationally in
any mode or for auy purpose And is this the only
national aud safe Union ground on which such patriot
and statesman Henry Clay could ever stand? And
what freesoiers do-what more they want,
than, the appointed tme TO regulate all the domestic
institutions in the Territories by the popular vote where
by their sectional ascendancy may, il they choose TO
defy climate, always prevail?
Such was the policy Of the sage Of ashland sa.
very a subject of national concern. And, in his
Orable speech in the Capitol of Kentucky, vndcang
the Compromise Of 1880 he denounced all sectional ag
tatons the subject OF slavery declared that he would
act with no party, of whatever name that would en-
courage sanction any such agitation and the surest
preventive cure, foreshadowed the organization OF
Union party to consist OF all such national an
vaye citizens of all the old parties should concur in
the principles and policy essential to the maintenance of
the constitutional Union of the people and the States
aud would magnanmousy subordinate 10 the common
end all Inferior questions as TO ephemeral men aud ugl-
tive policies And had he survived only few years, he
would, believe, have led such party-peace and
concord would have been soon restOred-and, before
this day talents and national patriotism would have
guarded aud guided desnies Without such
united band he feared that conservatism would be swa
lowed by the sections and sec0naists installed
catastrophe which it the hope of his last days to
avert.
These thoughts and "reminiscences suggested to
by the occasion to which you have SO kindly and cordi
ally invited me.
Then let man, who lavors extraneous interference
with slavery, defends any anU Mon principle pol
lev say that he is "LIdy Whiq" If his dumb statue
be erected by the Ladies of Richmond could when
pois on its pedestal, speak, it would, in voice from
above, say-"Counuymen of HENRY CLAY! nor, i'll
this sacTel prCsence allegiance 80 his Union
principles and resolve to follow, in every ycissude Of
fortune his sesacrfcng xampe in the service of your
common cOuntry-rebuke all sectional srifc-let sla-
very it is it, under God Providence and
the Constitution signed by Washington without dis
turbance by reckless tongues foreign hands which
have already caused deterioration in the condition OF the
black race bond aud free and done much harm without
any compensatory good, past present, or to come
and, above ALL preserve the Union, by following the
pr,cepts Of Washington, illustrated by Clay and
"by defending the rights of the people of every
State and the Just rights and necessary powers OF the
people of the United States'
Aud, if this voice from the Ashland Patriots grave
shall be heoded aud these counsels shall prevail the
URiyn,-bes,ing aud blesSed,-will grow and last as
long AS his Richmond shall stand or the historic
PotcbGta1, shall ripple at its base.
In conclusion, | submit sentiment for the Da0ntnnei
tai fair # Richmond
The Ladies of Richmond, Va-As the mother aud
the wife Of Coriolanus saved Rome from the paricda
arm of the husband and son. so, whatever ambitious
may DO, you aud your sex the mothers aud daugh
tcrs Of the UDod States ard tcH save the Ark Of
American Liberty.
Respectfully, your friend and
Fellow -cItiZnn,
r.r,r,t