The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-03-20
EXTRACT
From Speech Of Henry Clay, sii
The Z. S. Senate fs5. 7, 1859, on tie Reception

, f.
In the Z. S. Senate FEB 7, 1851, on tie Reception
Of Abolition Petfionss Mr9.a le
Sir: am in the habit ofspeaking lightly Of
the possibility ofdissolving this unhappy Union.
The Senate knows that have deprecated allu-
lusions, on ordinary occasions, to that direful
event. The country will testify that, if there
he any thing in the history Of my public car
reer worthy Of recollection, il 10 the truth and
cincerity Of my ardent devotion to its lasting
preservation. But we should be false in our al
legiance to il, if we did not discriminate be-
tween the imaginary and real dangers by whichit
may be assaed. Abolition should no longer
be regarded as an imaginary danger. The abb
oli,ionists, let me suppose succeed in their pres
ent aim of uniting the inhabitants of the free
States as one man, against the inhabitants Of
the slave States.-Unon on one side will beget
union on the other. And this processiof recip-
Iocal consolidation will be attended ith,all. the
violent preudices, embittered passions, and i'm
pacable anlnesi,;es which ever degraded or de.
| formed human nature. A virtual dissolution
will have taken place, while the forms Of its
existence remain. The mos. valuable clement
of union, Mutual kindness, the feelings of SYM
pa.hy, the fraternal bonds, which now haFpily
unite us, viii have been extipguished, forever.
One section viii stand in marching and hostile
array against the other. The collision Of opin.
i'm Will be qiietly followed by the clasi,of arms
/ viii not attempt to describe scenes which
nowhanpity lie concealed from our view. Ab-
o!ilioniats themselves would shrink back in dis
may and horror at the contemplation OF deso-
lated fields, coaaagrated cities, murdered inliab-
! iants. and the overthrow oil the fairest fasric
of human government ihateyerross to animate
the hopes OF civilized mans Nor should these
! abolitonsts Hattcr themselves that, if they can
succeed in their object Of uniting the people Of
the free States, they will eiiter the contest with
numerical superiority that must ensure victory.
I An history and experience proves. the uncer-
,iainty of war;. And we are admoished by holy
writ that the race is not 10 the swift, nor the
| battle to the. strong. But If they were to con
\ dutr whom would they eanpuer? A fereign
foe--esiswho adinsalted o.,r flag, iinvadedo odr
sIiores, and laid our county, wastasI No. sirs
no, SIR. Ii would be aaconGucst, without ;lau-
rels without gloiY-a selfsii, 4 suicidal CON-
quest--a ccnqrest Of brotiiers over brothers,
achieved sssA over another portion of
the des '7ts oe common ancestors, who
uaslse,s silisir diees st.sir Es,tuneay and
tneir sacred hcnor, had fought and bis,l, sidc
10y side, many q hard battle or lind anl, o.
cear, saved one cuaniT from tie British crown
a.il ee,aLlished our ration:,l fndepsndsnco.
lfoi fesaa . c1 e=ieg aea# ssf5g t@rs- ~ IS
81 am. Iii. President no friend TO slavery.
The seafeheF ef all hearts kaeYs that every
puls,i:pn Of mine beats high and stroug, il Che
cause of civil liberty. Wherever i. is safe and
practical, desire to sec every portion of the
7 human family in the enjoyment of ity--But1
lprtftr the liberty Of my own race to that of.@'
my other race. The liberty of the descendants
of Africa in the United States is incompatible
with the safety and liberty, Of the European
| defendants. Their slavery forms an exception
| Ian exception resulting from a stern and in.
exorablerieeessity--to the general liberty ofth
United States. iWs did not originate, nor arp
we responsible for, this necessity. !, Their hber-
ty if il were possible, could only he established
| by violating the 'incontes able powers Of tho
States, and subysrting the Union, would hs,bu-
red, sooner or later, the liberty Of both. races.
But If one dark spot exists on our political
horizon, is it not obscured by the bright and
effulgent and cheering light that beams all a
round us2 Was ever people before 50 blessed
as we are, If true to our selves Did ever any
other nation contain within its bosom SO many
elements of prosperity Of greatness and Of glo-
ry2 Oar only real danger lies ahead, conspicti.
Gus, elevated and visible 1t was clearly dis
cerned at the commencement, and distinctly seen
through our whole career. Shall we wantonly
run upon it, and destroy all the glorious antici-
ipations of the high destiny that awaits 'us7I
beseech the abolitionists themselves, solemnly
to pause in their mad and fatal course. Amid
the infinite variety of objects of humanity and
benevolence which invite the employment of
their energies, let them select one more harmless
that does not threaten to deluge our country in
blood. | call upon the small portion of the
clergy, which has lent itself to these wild and
ruinous schemes, not to forget the holy nature
Of the divine mission of tho Founder of our
religion. and to profit by his peaceful examples.
entreat tat portion of my country-women
who have given their countenance to abolition
to remember that they are ever most loved and
honored when moving in their own appropri-
ate and delightful sphere; and to refiect that
the ink that they shed in subscribing with their
fair hands abolition petitions may prove but the
prelude to the shedding of the blood Of their"
brethren. / ALLURE all the inhabitants Of tho
free States to rebuke and discountenance, by
their example, measures which must inevitably
lead to the most calamitous consequences. And
let us all countrymen, as friends and as BROTH
ers, cherish in unf.dhng memory the motto
which bore our ancestors tfinmphantly through
all the trials of the revolution, and, IL adhered
to, it will conduct their posterity through all
that may, in the dispensationsOf Provaisncsp b
reserved for them, 4 ls1 III "a tisiv r a, L.
s crwliy is mouse like load Of imy9haa
b 5 Because the cat'll eat it.sadw--saafn,asses