The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-08-14
The effect of Abolition upon the North!


citizen the following letter written by the
immortal CLAY. There is not n word of
II which is not as true as the gospel
true now, as it was then--true forever.
Inc position that anti.slavery must, in
INC nature OF things, be hostile to free.la-
o0r is incontrovertible. Agitation against
slavery must either mean abolition or
nothing. 1t either seeks practical result
for the negro--emancipation-oritistbo il is tho
most purposeless, and therefore wickedest
of agitations. Every fugitive who is
brought by the underground railroad to
the North must, if be works Mt all, COM
pete with the cheaper whitc labor, aud
of course the greater the number of fuoi-
tives, the more fatal their influence upon
the bread and butter of laborers of our
own color. But we refrain from further
comment, and let the letter speak for il
self. IL was written to Mr.. CLAY's
friend, Rev. WALTER CoLroN:
ASHLAND, Sept. 2, ls43.
"MY DEAR SIR: Allow me to select
subject for one of your tracts, which,
treated in your popular and condensed
way, think would be attended with
great aud good cffcct-I mean abolition
ism.
1T is manifest that the ultras of that
party are extremely mischievous, and are
hurrying on the country to fearful conse-
quences. They are not TO be concliated
by the wings. Engrossed with single
idea, they care for nothing else. They
would sec the administration of the gov
ernment precipitate the nation into abso-
lutte ruin before they would lend help
ing hand 10 arrest its career. They treat
worst denounce most those who treat
them best, who so far agree with them as
TO admit slavery to be an evil. Witness
their conduct toward Mr.. Briggs and Mr..
Adams in Massachusetts and towards me.
F" / will give you an outline of the man
ner in which | would handle il: Show
the origin Of slavery. Trace its introduc-
ton to the British government. Show
how it is disposed of by the federal cou-
stitution; that it is left exclusively to the
States, except in regard to fupitiyes. di-
finally lead to disurion-perpetual war
the determination of the African race
ultimate military despotism.
"But the great aim and object Of your
tract should be TO arouse the laboring
classes in the free States against abolition.
Depict the consequences to them Of i'm
mediate abolition. The slaves, being free,
would be dispersed throughout the Union
they would enter into competition with
the free laborers-with the American,
the Irish, the German-reduce his wages,
be confounded with him, and affect his
moral and social standing. And rs the
ultras 90 both for aboliiionism and ANAL
oamalion, show that their object is to
unite in marriage tho laboring black wo-
man, to reduce the white laboring man TO
the despised and degraded condition Of
the blackman.
81 would show their opposition to col
ouization. Show its humane, religious
and patriotic aim. That they are those
whom God has separated. Why do abb
olitonists oppose colonization! To keep
aud amalgamate together the two races,
in violation of Gods will, and to keep the
blacks here, that they may interfere with,
degrade and debase the laboring whites.
Show that the British government is CO.
operating with the abolitionists, for the
purpose Of dissolying the Union, &C.
You can make powerful article that
will be felt in every extremity Of tho
Union. l am perfectly satisfied that it
will do great good. Let me hear from
you on this subject. HENRY CLAY
A CURIOUS PRAYER.--The Syracuse
| IN. w. Star is responsible for the fol-
lowing:
ain the State of Ohio there resided q
family consisting Of an old man by the
name Of Beaver, and his three sons, all
| ..,o.o tbo.1 mule uybo bo1 of