The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1860-01-26
SPEECH OF CASSIUS M. CLAY;
JAN. 10, 1850, PROM THE CAPITOL STEr.,
Al Fran 4 fort, Kentucky.
Especial Report Of the Cincinnati Gssetts-l

Especial Report Of the Cineinnati Ga.etts-l
ARGUMKxruM-Gov. Magoffin in his mes
sage, and Vice President Breckenrige, be
fore the kentucky Legislature. has assaile'
the principles and aims of the Republica.
party. Those Mr.. Clay aspired to defend
Following the event of John Browns Iai'
and execution, the suppression OF the Free
the expulsion Of John G. Fee and and asso
ciates from Madison county. Kentucky, ant
the design on the part Of the Slave OligarchJ
to perpetuate the reign Of terror IN all tht
South it was generally given out that Mr.
Clay would be silenced. The halter with
which Brown was hung. the bloody lance
which he used in battIe-a present IRON
Gov. Wise to Gov. Magofiin-was freely
handed about and shown in Frankfort. While
central journal openly put it that il Clay
was allowed to speak in the capitol, hen
tuckians would be proven towards.
Mr.. Clay did not ask for the Representa-
tives' Hall but it was generally conceded
that by tact consent he should occupy 1t. and
the door keeper, Mr.. Grey, promised to have
II open and lighted up. Put 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 the
"very immense audience" as described by
the reporter of the Louisville Journal. none
spoke above a whisper. AS Mr.. Clay rose
to speak, innumerable lights were brought
and distributed by unknown hands through
out the crowd. aud for more than three
hours he was listened to ami ist profound 81
ience or occasional applause. The difficulty
OF arranging his references makes the report
OF the speech lose much of its unity; but truth
IS considered of more importance than rhe-
torical arrangement.
kENrUCKIANs The most profound and
philosophical Historian, in my opinion OF any
age, GIbbon, speaks of courage and sincerity,
or It's equivalent. truth. as the greatest Of
human virtues. The brave man relying up
on his courage never questions that OF anoth-
or. Those who know me. know full we'll
that am not in the habit Of speaking Of my
courage. nor have | ndulged in that other
what l consider bad habit of Kentuck-
ians in general. of speaking Of their courage.
will however transgress my ordinary rule
and speak Of it tonight. If l thought
If had thought that you, whose blood has
illustrated every battle field from the begin
ming Of our government to this day. were
wanting in that virtue. and if did not know
that your ilustrious ancestors. beginning
with Boone and Kenton. down to this day.
possessed this virtue; that was in the land
Of the Mckess. the Marshails, the Davisses,
the Robinsons. the Clarkes, the Breckin-
ridges the Clays, the Crtiendens, and host
OF other men that have made you illustrious
among men, then l might question your
courage; but, il is because know that am
here, among such men and in Kentucky. that
I speak here to night. The brave are always
generous-always and placing implicit con
fdence in this great fundamental truth.
have never feared to go forth through all this
broad and glorious land of ours, relying up
on the justice and magnanimity of kentuck-
ians. l never asked, never cared whether
they were Democrats. Republicans. Ameri-
cans, or any other party denomination
Thank God: gentlemen. this trust Of mine has
not been falsifed. Whether stand in yous
State House or whether / stand outside OF
your State House whether I am surround
ed by light or covered by darkness. feel
equally safe while l am among kentuck-
ians.
Gentlemen. there some peculiar cir
cumstances attending this, my address to-
night, that call for illusions that 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 came-that if Cass. Clay was
allowed to speak tonight in the city of Frank
fort that the world would believe the Ken
tuckisus are towards and that as John Brown
had intimidated or scared" to use the word.
Virginia. so it would go ont that had in
timidated the million Of such men Of Ken
tucky as surround me TO night. Gentlemen,
what madness, what folly is this. 1t is be-
cause you are brsye-it is because your
courage is unquestioned aud unquestionable
that there is confidence abroad not only
among men, but among women and little
children. that will speak here to night. and
be rot only heard but respectfully treated
Shame on such q sentiment as that. How
would it do for you, whose name has become
synonymous with the word courage, 10 have
it said that you go out to silence the voice oI
Cass. Clay in death to prove thas You are
men. l will not elaborate this idea. The
very women share none of this intimidation
l am proud TO say. though l do not ofter
speak OF these things, the wife Of Csss. Clay
has written 10 him this day not that sht
hopes that l may escape alive from a seem
of insimidating threats that have come from
high and potent sources-no she is Ken
tucky born woman, aud such thing neve
enters her thoughts, and, she sprays CO.
that may most gioriously vindicate m,
principles 10 night" You men who hea
me to night: the very women who hear thi
sentiment viii so away better men aud wo
men for the hearing. The time win com
when to those who shall succeed us, ii for
tune shall suffer them. il will be a proud re
Election that you thus vindicated your title
the name of courageous men.
NO PERSONAL FsELtNaS ENGAaKD.
Some gentlemen have supposed that ins.
much as the publication which made state
that would here, at this time and in tn
place. respond to the message of Goverue
Magotfin, aud the late speech Of your senate
elect, Mr.. Brecknridge. that l had some pc
sonSl feeling against those distinguished geI
tlemen. and that some personal or priva
ends were to be subservcd at this time BY a
tacking these gentlemen. Nothing was fu
tber from my purpose The only inaugur
ton ths, ever attended. and l am now 70
tv-niua of the n n yuratlO