The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1886-08-25

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 Wickliffe. the father-in-law
of General William Preston. for killing
the editor of Democratic newspaper
named Benning. The latter had pub
iIshed an anonymous attack upon his
father, and when Charles went to ascer-
tain the name of the author the editor
declined to give it until the writer's per-
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 Ben
ning started back Wickliffe thought he
was going for the musket, in which ease
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.. Cla3 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 the
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 Wickliffe's 8,
went to Mr.. Clay and invited him to
spend the night at his house, where he
could have a quiet room to consider his
argument, 90 to bed when he pleased,
and be up bright and fresh in the morn
ing. Clay accepted the offer. He re-
tired to his room about ten O'Clock.
Judge Woolley occupied room oppo-
ste Gays in a long corridor. he re-
tired late, and noticed that Claws light
was burning, and that the great advo-
cate was pacing the floor, muttering TO
himself. Some hours later Judge
Woolley again went TO CLAWS door.
Clay was still pacing the floor and
speaking. He was going over his argu-
ment TO the jury. The next day the
court room was crowded with the fore
most people of the city 10 hear the con-
GLIDING arguments in the now celebrat-
ed case. Before Mr.. Clay arose a still
ness had come upon the house and all
eyes were turned upon him. His face
began 10 take on an expression of pow
erful emotion. and his eyes moistened.
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 espe-
cially of the jury. Before having
spoken a word he bad won attention
and sympathy. 1t was on the Fourth of
July, and celebration was being had
at a wooded spot out on the Richmond
pike. / well remember the closing
words of Mr.. Clay's speech. Said he:
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
ished, his own eyes filled with tears. and
his lips trembIed As he spoke the con-
GLIDING words. Charles Wickliffe was
acquitted.
The position of Mr.. Clay upon the
question of negro slavery had been mis-
understood, in the opinion of Mr. Harri-
sen. He was instinctivelv opposed to
slavery, but was opposed TO sudden
freeing of the slaves. His idea was to
establish colonies i'm Africa or one in the
West of Amer. ca, TO which slaves.
emancipated by a gradual system. could
be sent and protected until they were
able TO stand alone. The following ex-
tract from Mr.. Clay's will illustrates
this and is certainly the most authentic
expression of his opinion upon this
question:
my will is, and | accordingly direct,
that the issue of all my female slaves
which NAV be born after the LIST day of
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 wears next preceding
their arrival at the age of freedom they
shall be entitled to their hire or wages
for those wears or the fair value of their
services to defrav the expenses of tran =
porting them to one of the African CO..
onies and of furnishing them with an
outfit on their arrival there; and | fur
Their direct that they be taught TO read
and write and cipher, and that they be
sent to Africa. j further will and direct
that the issue of any of the females who
are so TO be entitled 10 their freedom at
the age of twenty-five shall be deemed
free from their birth, and that they be
bound out as apprentices to learn farm
ing or some useful trade, upon the con-
dition also of being taught to read, TO
write. and TO cipher. And | direct, also,
that, the age of twenty-one having been
attained. they shall be sent to one of
the African colonies, to raise the neces-
sarry funds for which purpose. if they
shall not have previously earned them,
they must be hired out sufficient length
of time.
81 request and enjoin my executors
and descendants 10 pay part cular atten-
/ ton 10 the execution of this provision
of nv viii. And if they sell any of the
females who, or whose issue, are to be
free. j especially desire them to guard
carefully the rights of such issue bv all
suitable stipulations and sanctions IN the
contract of sale. But hope that it may
not be necessary to sell any such per-
sons who are to be entitled ia their free
dom. but that they may be retained in
the possession of some of my descend
ants. Cor. Cincinnati Enquirer.