The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-08-11

'"lie"iheS got the best OF him. ''Clay's
power as speaker" said Mr., Harri.
son, was in his effect upon the emo
tlonal nature of his audience / well
remember one very remarkable instance
OF the exercise of his power. 1t was
upon the trial of Charles Wickliffe, son
OF Robert Wicklitle, the father-in-law
OF General William Preston. for killing
the editor of Democratic newspaper
named Benning. The latter had pub
ilshed an anonymous attack upon his
father, and when Charles went to ascer.
tam the name of the author the editor
declined to give it until the writer's Dor.
mission was obtained Hot words were
exchanged between the men, when Ben.
ming suddenly rose from his seat and
went toward lobby between the front
and back rooms of the office. Wick
life, who had been in the office before
IN search of Benning and had gone
through this lobby into the back room,
knew that an army musket stood there
against the wall. At the moment Benz
ming started back Wicklitfe thought he
was going for the musket, in which case
his life would be in immediate danger.
He forestalled this by drawing his pistol
and firing, killing Benning instantly. The
trial lasted several days. Mr.. Clay was
the last speaker for the defense. AS the
evening was then far advanced when he
was called upon by the court, he sug-
gested that it would be better that tie
court and jury be allowed to rest, and
that the court adjonrn till next morn
ing. The suggestion was accepted, and
court adjourned accordingly. Judge
A. K. Woolley, relative of Wicklifie s,
went to Mr.. Clay and invited him to
spend the night at his house, where he
could have quiet room to consider his
argument, 60 to bed when he pleased,
and be up bright and fresh in the morn
ing. Clay accepted tile offer. He re-
tired to his room about ten O'Clock.
Judge Woolley occupied a room oppo-
ste Clay's in a long corridor, He re-
tired late, and noticed t1at Clay's light
was burning, and that Il, great adyo-
cate was pacing the floor, muttering to
himself. Some hours later Judge
Woolley again went to Clay's door.
Clay was still pacing the floor and
speaking. He was going over his arg1-
ment to the jury. The next day the
court room was crowded with the fore
most people of the city to hear the con-
GLIDING arguments in the now celebrat-
ed case. Before Mr.. Clay arose still
ness had come upon the house and all
eyes were turned upon him. His face
began to take on an expression of pow
erful emotion, and his eyes moistoned.
Slowly he arose from his chair, his legs
trembling and his knees knock
ing each other. AS he Strengthened
himself to his full height tears were
trickling down his cheeks, and already
the strength of his own feelings had
affected those of his audience, and espc-
cially of the jury. Before having
spoken a word he had won attention
and sympathy. 1t was on the Fourth Of
July, and a celebration was being had
at wooded spot out on the Richmond
pike. l well remember the closing
words of Mr.. Clay's speech. Said lie:
This is the day upon which every
American celebrates the birth of his
country's liberty. We hear the notes Of
preparation for that patriotic event, the
mention of which thrills every American
heart. Turn him loose, and let him
| share with us the Joy of this glorious
anniversary. As Mr.. Harrison fin.
ishcd, his own eyes filled with tears, ano
his lips trembled as he spoke the con
Guiding words. Charles Wicklifie was
acquitted.
The position of Mr. Clay upon thu
question of negro slavery had been mis-
understood in the opinion Of Mr. Harri
son. He was instinctively opposed tc
slavery, but was opposed to sudden
freeing of the slaves. His idea was to
establish colonies in Africa or one in the
West of America, to which slaves
emancipated by a gradual system, cou!t
be sent and protected until they were
able to stand alone. The following cx
tract from Mr. Clay's will illustrates
this and is certainly the most authentic
expression of his opinion upon THU
question:
"My will is, and / accordingly direct
that the issue of all my female slave
which may be born after the 1st day O.
January, 1850, shall be free at the re
spective ages, of the males at twenty
eight and of the females at twenty-five
and that the three years next preceding
their arrival at the age of freedom the,
shall be entitled to their hire or wage
for those years or the fair value of thei
services to dcfray the expenses of tran
porting them to one of the African co.
onies and of furnishing them with AZ
outfit on their arrival there; and | fur
Their direct that they be taught to reat
and write and cipher, and that they b.
sent to Africa. | further will and dircc
that the issue of any of the females wht
are so to be entitled to their freedom 4
the age of twenty-five shall be deemed
free from their birth, and that they b.
bound out as apprentices to learn farm
ing or some useful trade, upon the con
dition also of being taught to read, tt
write, and to cipher. And | direct, also
that, the age of twenty-one having beer
attained, they shall be sent to one o
the African colonies, to raise the neces
sarry funds for which purpose, if the,
shall not have previously earned them
they must be hired out a sufficient length
of time.
II request and enjoin my executor
and descendants to pay particular atten
ton to the execution of this provision
of my will. And if they sell any of TIN
females who, or whose issue, are to b.
free. 1 especially desire them to guar'
carefully the rights of such issue by al
suitable stipulations and sanctions IN thu
| oontrnnt Of colo Rt1t hone tn eft It M q