Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1864-08-31
4 Prophecy.

a Prophecy.
The following extract is taken from a
speech delivered thirty years ago, by
HENRY CLAY, on the question of receiving
Abolition petitions by Congress. 1t fore
shadows with prophetic accuracy the evil
and blasting effects which Abolition fanati-
cism has brought upon our once happy
and prosperous people.
:. Sir, am not in the habit of speak
ing lightly Of the possibility of dissolying
this happy Union. The Senate knows
that have deprecated aIlusions, on ordi-
nary occasions to that diretul event. The
country will testify }hat, if there be any
thing In the history of my public career
worthy Of recollection. it Is the truth anI
sincerity OF my ardent devotion TO itS .as.-
inI preservation. Ijut we should be l,i.~s
in our allegiance 10 it, if we did not dis
crirnipate between the imaginary and real
dangers by which ii may be aS-ailcd.
Abolition should no longer bc regarded "a,
an ina .inary danger The Abo!iIoni-ts.
let me suppose, succeed in their present
aim OF uniting The inhabitants Ut the ice
of the slave States. MON on the on.
si.ie will bgget union on the other AMI
tlis process of reciprocal consolidation VIII
bt attended with ali tl.. vi-,ic!I; prcju.h.v>.
cinbi,tcrcd pu-eiun~, AND inplacab!e am
mositias which ever degraded or detorne,l
human nature. \ virtual dissolution OF
tie Union will have taken place, while
the forms Of It's existence remain. The
most valuable element OF union, mutual
kindness. the feelings Of sympathy, iht-
fra.crnl bonds, which now happily unite
us. VIII have been eNtinguishcd for ever.
One section will stand in menIcing and
hostile array against the other. The col
hSiou of opinion Will be quickly followed
by the clash OF arms | viii not attempt
to describe scenes which now happily lie
concealed from our view AboHtIonIsts
themselves would shrink back in dismay
and horror at the contemplation OF desc
lated fields, contiagratcd cities, murdered
inhabitants, and the overthrow Of the
tiireSt fabric Of human governm, Mt that
/ ever rose TO animate the hopes OF civilized
/ man. Nor should these AboIitioni>ts
/ tiattcr themselves that, if they can Suc-
cecd in their object of uniting the people
! Of the free States, they will enter ihe con
/ test with numerical superiority that must
/ insure victory. All history and expert
ence proves the hazard and uncertainty Of
war And we are admonished 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!
\ foreign foc-One who had insulted our
8 FLAG, invaded our shores, and laid our
country waste No, sir, no, sir. 1t
would be a conquest without laurels,
without gIory-a self, a suicidal conquest
"a conquest of brothers over brothers,
achieved by one over another portion OF
the decendants of common ancestors, who,
nobly piedging their lives, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor, had fought and
| blcd, side by side, in many hard battle
on land and ocean, severed our country
from the British crown, and established
our national independence.
The inhabitants of the slave States are
sometimes accused by their Northern
brethren with displaying too much rash,
ness and sensibility TO the operations anu
proceedings of Abolitionists But, before
! my SS'i ~ iSoii'iD .Jh'5SNc -
| be reversal of conditions. Let me sup
pose that the people of the slave States
were to form societies, subsidize presses,
make large pecuniary contributions, send
| for the numerous missionaries throughout
| their own borders, and enter into machl-
nations to burn the beautiful capitols, dcs-
| troy the productive manufactures, and
! sink in the ocean the gallant ships of the
| Northern States. Would these incendiary
proceedings be regarded as neighborly and
! friendly, and consistent with the iraternal
! sentiments which should ever be cherished
! by one portion Of the Union toward an
other Would they excite no emotion /!
| Occasion no manifestations of dissatistac-
ton, nor cad to any acts Of retaliatory
violence? But the supposed case taIS
| far short of the actual one in a most es-
sential circumstance. In no contingency
could these capitols manufactures, anu
ships rise in rebellion and massacre Inc
inhabitants of the Northern States"
Mark the prophetic language VINO