East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1862-09-16
Henry Clay Ola Abolition.
The following is an extract from a
speech delivered by Henry Clay.

. -
speech delivered by Henry Clay.
"Sir," said Mr.. Clay, IL am not in
the habit of speaking lightly of the pos
sibiity of dissolving this happy Union.
Tho Senate knows that have depre.
Gated allusion on ordinary occasions, to
that direful exent. The country will
testify that, if there be anything in the
history of my public career worthy of
recollection it is the truth aud sincerity
of my ardent devotion to its lasting pres.
efvaton. But we should be false in
our allegiance to it, if We did not dis.
eliminate between the imaginary and
real dangers, by which it may he as.
sailed Abolition should no longer be
regarded as an imaginary danger. The
Abolitlonists, let me suppose, succeed
in their present aim of uniting the in
habtants of the free States as one man,
against the inhabitants of the slave
States. Union on one side a0iH 6eget
union on the other. And this process
of reciprocal constellation will be at
tended will all the violent prejudices,
embittered passions, implacable ami.
mosities which ever degraded and de.
! formed human nature. A virtual ais.
solution of the Union will have taken
place, while the form of its existence
remain. The most valuable element of
union, mutual kindness, the feeling Of
sympathy, the fraternal bonds which
now happily unite us, will nave been
eXtingulshed forever. One section will
stand IN menance and hostile array
! against the other. The collision of
opinion will be quickly followed 10y the
clash OF arms. 1 will not attempt to
describe scenes which now happily lie
concealed from our view. Abolition
lists themselves would shrink back in
! dismay and horror at the contemplation
of desolated fields, conAagrated cities,
murdered inhabitants, and the over
throw of the fairest fabric of human
government that ever rose to animate
the hope of civilized IN an. Nor should
these abolitionists hatter themselves
that, if they can succeed in the object of
uniting the people of the free States,
they will enter the contest with the nu-
mercal superiority that will ensure VIC
tory. Al! history and experience
proves the hazard an ! uncertainty of
war. And We are adnonished by holy
writ that the race is not always to the
swift nor the battle to the strong. But
! II they were to conquer, whom would
they conquer? a foreign foe-one who
had insuIted our flag, invaded our
shores, and laid our country to waste
No sir: no sir. IL 1c0ui3 be q conquest
acithout lamrelS, acithout glory--a SsJ
Suicilak conqueSt--a conquest Of broth.
erS, acliteUed 6y one oOcr anotltn Por.
ton Of The descendants Of common an
ccstors, who nobly pledged their lives,
their fortunes, aud sacred honor, who
had fought and bled side by side 10
many hard battle on land and ocean,
severed our country from the British
crown, and established our national in.
dependence.
81 am, Mr.. President, no friend of
slavery. The searcher of all hearts
knows that every pulsation of mine
beats high and strong in the cause of
civil liberty. Wherever it is safe and
practicable, | desire to SEQ every por-
ton of the human family in the enjoy.
ment of it. But / prefer the liberty
of my own race to that of another race.
The liberty of the descendants of AT
RIGA in the United States is incompati.
Die with The liberty of the European
descendant. Their slavery forms an
exception residing from stern and
memorable neccsslty-to the general lib
erty in the United States. We did not
| originate, nor are We responsible for
this necessity. Their liberties if it
were possible, could only be establish
ed by violating powers of the States
and subvertng the Union. And be.
meath the ruins of the Union would be
buried sooner or later, the liberties of
both races.
"But if one dark spot exists on our
political horizon, it is moi obscured by
bright aud ctfulgent aud cheering light
that beams all around US? Was ever
a people before SO blessed as we are, if
only true to ourselves? Our only real
danger lies ahead, conspicuous, elevated
aud visible. 1t Was clearly dscerned
at the commencemcnt,a and mas been dis.
tlnctly throughout our whole career
Shall we wantonly run upon it, aud dc.
stroy all the glorious anticipations of
the high destiny that awaits us? l be.
seech tho abolitlonists themselves, sol.
EMMY TO pause in their mad and fatal
course. Amia tafnitc vartcty Of oyects
Of hansaaity anil oeaejiccacc to.icA mute
tie employment Of their energies, let then,
select same one more harmless, that docs
not Mreatea 10 leinge or country ia