Maryland free press. [volume] (Hagerstown [Md.]) 1862-18??, 1863-03-06
EXTR ACT
FROM A SPEECH OF
ii EN- RY G Il 4 Y

EAINACI
FROM A SPEECH OF
ENRY CLAY.
III he Z. 8. Senate, FEB. I, 1880, IN ar Es.s
ception Of abolition Petitions.
SIR: am not in the habit of speaking light
ly of the possibility of dissolving this happy
Union The Senate knows that have de-
prcciated illusions, on ordinary occasions, to
that direful event. The country will testify
that, if there be anything in the history of
my public career worthy of recollection, it is
the truth and cincerity of my ardent devotion
to its lasting preservation. But we should be
false in our allegiance to it, if we did not dis
criminate between the imaginary and real dan
gers by which it may be assailed. Abolition
should no longer be regarded az an imaginary
danger. The abolitionists, let me suppose,
succeed in their present aim of uniting the
inhabitants of the free States as one man,
against the Inhabitants of tbs slave States
Union on the one side will beget union on the
other. And this process of reciprocal consol-
idation will be attended with all the violent
prcjudices cmbitteied passions, and implaca-
BILE animosities which ever degrad d or de.
formed human nature. \ virtual dissolution
will have taken place, while the forms of it's
existence remain. The most valuable ele-
ment of union, mutual kindness, the feelings
of sympathy, the fraternal bonds, which now
happily unite us, will have been extihghished
forever. One ssctisn will stand in MANAGING
and hostile array against the other. The col
lision of opinion will be quicly followed by
the clash of arms. will not attempt to de-
scribe scenes which now happily lie concealed
from our view. Abolitionists themselves
would shrink back in dismay and horror at the
contemplation of 9esolated helps, confagrated
cities, murdered inhabitants, and the over
throw of the faircst fabric of human govern
ment that ever rose to animate the hopes of
civilized man Nor should these abolitionists
fattcr themselves that, if they can succeed
in their object of uniting the people of the free
States, they will enter the contest with nus
merical superiority that must ensure victory.
All history and experience proves the uncer-
tainty of war. And we are admonishcd by
holy writ that the race is not to the swift, nor
the battle to the strong. But if they were to
conquer, whom would they conquer' for
eign foc-one who had insultcd our flag, inva-
ded our shores, and laid our country waste1
No, sir; no,sir 1t would be n conquest with
out laurals, without glory-a self, suicidal
conquest---a conquest of brothers over broth
crs, allowed by one over another portion OF
the defendants of common ancestors, who no.
bly, pledged their lives, their fortunes, and
their sacred honor, had taught and bled, side
by side, in many hard battle on land and
ocean, saved our country from the British
crown and established our national indepen-
dcnce.
am, Mr.. President, no friend to slavery
The scarcher of all hearts knows that every
pulsation of mine beats high and strong in the
cansc of civil liberty. Wherever it is safe
and practically, desire to see every portion
Of the human family in the enjoyment of it.
But prefer the liberty of my own race to that
of any other race. The liberty of the descen.
dants of Africa in the United States is incom:
patiblc with the safety and liberty of the Eu-
ropean descendants. Their slavery forms an
exccptioIi-an exception resulting from a stern
ana Inc xbrablb hh~essity-to the general lib
erty TO the United States. We did not origi-
nate, nor are we responsible for, this necessi-
ty. Their liberty, if it were possible, could
only be established by violating the incontes-
table powers of the States, and subverting the
Union would be buried, sooner or later, the
liberty of both races.
But If one dark 'pot exists on our political
horizon, is it not obscured by the bright and
c!fugent and cheering light that beams all
around us? Was ever people before so bles-
sed as we are, if true to ourselves? Did ever
any other nation contain within its bosom SO
many elements Of prosperity, Of greatness, and
of glory? Our only real danger lies ahead,
conspicuous, elevated, and visible. 1t was
clearly disccmed at the commencement, and
distinctly seen throughout onr whole career!
Shall VIC wantonly run upon it, and destroy
all the glorious anticipations Of Tie high dcs-
tiny that awaits us? ! besecch the abolition
lists themselves, solcmnly to psuss in their
mad and fatal course. Amid the infinite va
tiety of objects Of humanity and bcnevolcncc
which invite the employment Of their cner-
gies, let them select one more harmless, that
docs not threaten to dcluge our country in
blood ] call upon that 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 the Founder OF our
religion, and to profit by his peaceful exam
pies. / entreat that portion Of my country
women who have given their countenance to
abolition. to remember that they are ever most
loved and horored when moving in their own
appropriate and delightful sphere; and to re-
fleet that the ink which they shed in subscrib-
luz with their fair hands abolition petitions