Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-07-18
WHEELING. va. FRIDAY MORNING. JULY 49, -

Another motive urged by him in favor of
colonization was that it was means of re
lieving the American people from the stain
of slaVeholdiug, which he stigmatized as
sithe greatest of all evils" In an address
before the Society, at Washington City,
January 90, 1927, he said:
stIf i could be instrumental in eradicat-
ing this deepest stain upon the character of
our country, aud removing all cause of re-
proach on account OF it by foreign nations
-lf could only be instrumental in Kidding
of this foul blot that revered State that gave
me birth, or that no less beloved State
which has kindly adopted me as her son,
iCould not exchange the proud satiSfaetion
tVhteh should enjoy for the honor of all the
triumpkS sUer deereed to the most Succss!ful
cOpquerOr."
In the same address, referring to those
who opposed colonization on the ground
that it was a scheme for the final abolition.
of slavery, and who had reproached the
colonizationists with ''doing mischief by
tue agitation of the question:" of slavery,
SIT. Clay, in spirit approaching the pro-
phetic, said:
nWhat would they, who thus reproach
us, have done? ltthey would repress nil
tendencies toward liberty and ultimate eHGn-
cipdtton, they must do more than put down
the benevolent efforts of this Society,"
They must go back to the era of our liber-
ty and independence, and muzzle the can
non which thunders its annual Joyous re-
turn. They must revive the slave trade,
with all ils train of atrocities. They mnst
suppress the workings of British philNn-
thropy, seeking to meliorate the condition
of the unfortunate West Indian slaves
They must arrest the career of South
American deIiverance from thraldom.=
They must blow out the lights around US
apd extinguish that greatest torch of all
which America presents to benighted
world-pointing the way to their rights
their liberties. and their happiness.
"tAnd when they have achieved all
these purposes, their work will be yet
incomplete. They must penetrate the
humane soul, aud eradicate the light of
reason and the love of liberty. Then, and
not till then, when universal darkness and
despair prevail, can yOu oer1etuate slapery
and repress all sympathies and all hu-
name and benevolent efforts among free
men in behalf of the unhappy portion of
our race doomed to bondngc"
These extracts, and others equally
radical which might be made from Mr..
Clay's speeches, place his antagonism TO
the Institution of slavery in little stron-
ger light than is generally anticipated,
What would be thought of him were he
to-day alive. and should utter just such
sentiments as these? Would lie be estee-
med the great patriot statesman he was
wont to be called only q dozen years ago?
Would he not rather be denounced rs a
vile and unscrupulous abolitionist? Was
the great and truly eloquent Kentuckian
of the first half Of the nineteenth century
less wise than the pigmy, pothouse politi
cian of the latter half? Do principles
change? AS the times change, must we
change with them?
"oh Judgment, thou hast fled to british
beasts,
And men have lost their reasoni"
1t is at least possible that these extracts
may fall under the eyes of some mem
bers Of the late 'glorious old Whig party"
Ifso, Mr.. Clay's views are respectfully
suggested for their consideration. II