Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-02-24


JEFFERSON CRY, January 27.
The following magnificent letter was receiv-
ed from the distinguished statesman, Hon.
Cassus NJ. Clay, too late to be read at the late
Liberal Republican Convention held in Jeffer-
son City. 1t will be read with interest by the
whole country:
WHITE NALL Posi- OFFICE. |
madison COUNTY, KY, jan, 20, 1872.
Dear Sr.-Your favor Of the 18th instant Is
received regret that 1t will not be IN my
power TO he present at the mass meeting oi
Liberal Republicans at Jefferson tlty on tue
oath uf this month.
In 1861 | was consulted by leading Repub-
lcans, anticipating the overthrow OF the re-
belliun. about the doctrine which some years
afterwards was developed and known as g ter
ritorializing States" aud later, in letter pub
lish.d in the Louisville Journal, ! protested
against the same scheme. held that the
States were indestructble, and that when re-
belion was put down the States survived In all
their original sovereignty and equality IN Inc
Union. The Constitution was based upon the
vital integrity Of the States, and their unhap-
Nv overthrow was not necessary to the sup
preston of the rebellion or to the liberation oi
the slaves, or to any legitimate purpose for
which the war was waged.
The sad experience, by which eleven years
Of prnscriptive rule on the part OF the Grant
pariy leave the North and the South in hostll-
ity. and the suhjugated States IN anarchy,
proves that my fears of such policy were not
ill-founded no man has made more slcrltices
for the liberation Of the blacks than |. II so.
then have right to he considered faithful
adviser with regard to their future. Lincon's
emancipation proclamation and the battles oi
Autetam and Gettysburg, by which the pow
er of the South was crushed, made the restora-
ton of slavery impossible, and such was the
thought aud avowal of the whole South. IL
was the DISTINGUISHING of the leading minds oil
the South and the fatal attempt to subject the
Saxon race-the majority in numbers-to the
minority nf the African ireemen which bred
that foulest excresence OF slavery the hn-hlux
klaus.
| remember no instance in all history where
the servle race has been successfully set ID
rlue over the former masters nor do believe
that now such attempt will bear any other
fruits than discurd aud ruin to Que or both
parties.
Governor Andrew, Of Massachusetts,, whose
sincere abuitioniSm" no one will question,
was for immediate and universal amnesty
He held truly that to conciliate the masses of
the SOUTH you must win over the goodwill
and allegiance of the leading minds: that III
republics. as in nature, "tIe head moves the
! tail
The Grant policy reverses all this. lie
seems bent. not on restoring to health and
normal action the wounded South, but on de-
strnying it.
If the Democrats are wise and just, the blacks
of the South will vote with the South, not he
cause they are Democrats or Republicans but
because they are snutherners. No man Is
more Unnnists than |, yet | cannot fail tc
see that there are New England interests
| Western interests. and Southern inierestS-all
of which are and Must be ever distinct-and
vet all the Constitution being in tact. are
compatible with nation al unity. As south
ern man in this sense. have devoted my life
to the overthrow Of slavery because it was un-
lust to the black, and cause Of weakness t.
the white.
Slavery being dead. resist with the sainc
earnestncss that | did its existence the, at
tempt Of the Grant conspiratnrS to Suhjngatc
the South. and 20 make us provincial for all
time 10 a more than Roman Imperialism.
denuuncc the attempt to weaken us by a
studied policy Of arraying the blacks against
the whites. | dencuuce the design of harbar-
izing us by the corrupt and Irresponsible rule
If men from the North. who have no common
interest in our affairs, who divide our people
and waste our substance
| denouuce the attempt to reverse the nat
ural order Of things by Subjectng, 10y constitu-
,iuna changes and ingeni"usly y-cnntrived laws,
the intelligence and property Of the South to
ignorance aud pauperism.
| ienounce the eumify of the Grant rule to
the independence of Cnha because they know
that Cuba must in interest finally gravitate
towar and belong 10 the South.
| denounce the uuinn of the powers Of the
executive. judicial, and Legislative departments
in the military head OF the nation.
denounce the nepoiism, favoritism, and
corruption aud prescription Of the Grant Ad-
niistration.
I deuounce the scheme Of subiecting mcr
and measures to the sole end Of reeecting a
military chieitain.
Aud last, and above all, protest against
the unconstitutional aud despotic interference
with the right Of peaceabe asSemblaees OF the
people at the hallot-box by the frequent aud
alarming use Of the cartridge-box.
The reorganization and reelection Of Grant is
to consolidate all these uSurpations and abuses,
aud open mp highway to the overthrow of all
our Liberties.
We want new men, with new sentiments Of
good will. Brotherhood aud national unity
We want men who accept the situation, turn
their lacks upon rebellion and secession, and
look to the Union only for safety and happi-
ness. The S2,5OO, 100000 worth Of slave
property is not lost hut remains productive
power, as ever, in tie freedmen. stimulated by
higher incentive to action and economy. Our
political strength is increased by the addition
of twU-6iths to our representative numbers OF
I'll the liberated slaves, giving ms at once
seventeen more members Of the House OF Rep
resentarives. Our vast and fertile lands aud
great world wide staples remain. With heart
and loyalty great future in the Union lies
before MS.
We want man whose antecedents prove
him loyal to the Union aud faithful defender
Of the rights Of all-white and black. We
want not a candidate, who like Grant voted FOR
Douglas in 1860. and who like Fish voted for
Hoffman in 1868, with regenade Democrats
surrounding him aud debating partisan poli-
-. -. oil q