The mountain Democrat., 1863-11-14
Voice nrOna the Dead.

IeSutlnB uSltatlOH III IeSdTu " the iuSI
tive slave law, persisted in by the Aboli-
tionists-the Summers, Wilson's. Wades,
'Chascs and other lS16ers Of the present
dominant party-made use of the follow
ing emphatic language, which we reprint
for the benefit Of those of his devoted ad.
mirers who yet survive, as also for the
consideration Of every citizen who may
have at heart the true interests of his
country in the present dvp'orable crisis.
Mr.. Clay said:
I" II the agitation in regard to the fugi-
tive slave law should continue and in
crease, and become alarming, it will lead
to the formation Of two new parties, one
for the Union. the other against the Tn.
ion. | have had great
hopes and confidence in the principles of
the Wing party, as being most likely to
conduce to the prosperity and the glory
Of my country; but If it be merged into
a contemplate Abolition party and il Alb.
olitionism is to be cngralted on the Wing
creed, that momcdt renouncc the party
and cease to be Whig"
The voice Of the mighty statesman Of
the West comes 0P1rOn the secret cham.
bers of the dead, in tones of warning,
persuasion and condemnation. As freshly
and as appropriately is it heard speaking
out, at this particular crisis, as when Of
yore its thunders shook the halls of our
National Council Chambers, or when the
woodclad hills and verdant wales of his be.
loved Kentucky echoed its sweetness
Though often raised in support of mea-
sures which, as Democrat, we believe
were opposed to the best interests of the
country, yet never was it heard in the
advocacy Of any policy adverse to the
honor and prosperity of the Union-nev-
er in derision of the law or mockery Of
the Constitution. Mr.. Clay was pa
triot although partisan, and when the
safety and honor of his country were at
stake, he had the courage and the homes,
ty and the greatness of soul to lift him
self above the wretched consideration of
party policy. Before his death he wit.
messed "the beginning Of the end'' of the
old Whig party, as foreshadowed in the
extract above. He saw the feeble craft
breaking loose its moorings beside the
rock Of the Constitution, the one portion
drifting fast into the murky waters Of
Know Nothingism, and the other into the
still darker and more dangerous whirl-
pool of Abolition fanaticiSm. Hence it was
that in the evening of his glorious career
he was found standing side by side with
the Democracy-with the party that had
ever condemned Aboltionism. And there
to-day, if alive, he would be found.
Upon the dissolution Of the Whig par
ty, hundreds of thousands of the conserv-
alive minded followers of Mr.. Clay at the
North, having no sympathy for, nor SEN
timent in common with any of the count.
less isms Of fanaticiSm and diSunion, so
rife in that region, sought shelter under
the only banner that had inscribed upon
its folds, the Union and the Constitu-
tion." That banner was the banner of
Democracy. Since then they have fought
side BY side with the true men of the
Democratic party, making common cause
with them against the common enemy
Unfortunately the Democracy have been
weakened by desertion-by the apos,acy
of many men who have sold themselves
TO the Administration. Under the glare
of false colors Dix, Dickinson, Holt and
other syeophants and rencgades, have
led portion Of them into the Abolition
camp. Though the unscrupulous and
apostates may carry away a
number of the rank and file, deceiving
them with false colors, from the army Of
the faithful, yet they will discover the
imposition attempted upon them ere long,
and return to their own people. Democ-
racy, Notwithstanding their seemingly
hopeless prospects, will, at no distant
day, be once more in the ascendant. A
vast majority Of the American people still
cherish the principles of the Democratic
party and pray for the triumph of that
party.
If Mr.. Clay were now alive his stento-
rian voice would be heard from one end
of this broad land to the other, calling
upon the friends Of the Union, the Con.
and liberty, to rally around the
flag Of the great National Democracy, as
the only hope to save the Union from
destruction. lie would denounce, with
lofty Indignation and burning eloquence,
the "contemptible Abolition party" which
now administers the Government, and
denounces every man as q i" traitor who
follows in his footsteps. "Standing with
unsandaled feet upon the hallowcd ground
Of the Constitution, and laying his hand
upon the altar, he would urge every true
American to put down the Abolition par
ty."
ABoLiTIoNIsN,- What has the triumph
of Abolitionism accomplished? 1t found
the American people prosperous, content
ed and neighborly; it has sown among
them the seeds of dsunion, misery, pow