The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-15
LETTER FROM CAss1Us M. CLAY.

Following is a copy of letter from
the honorable and now venerable Ken
tuckian, Cassius NJ. Clay, which explains
itself;
WHITE HALL, KY, April 10, 1890.
Editor Wichita Eagle.
Dear Sir:-Some friend has sent me the
obituary notice of Samuel Shy, lately de
ceased.
He defended my political principles
about the year 1Sf7-4S, by prosecuting and
gaining damages against the mob of 1915
who sent the True American press and
plant to Cincinnati. Shy was a heroic
character and stood against Chief Justice
Robertson and others who defended the
mob and slavery. But you are in error
about the partnership in the practice of
law. | studied law but never took out
license. Nor did I make journalism a
profession, but entered the True American
office only when all others had deserted
through fear ] have lived to see slavery
overthrown, and take this occasion to bear
testimony to Samuel Shy's ability, nero
ism and patriotism.
CASsIUS MABCELLUS CLAY.
The EAGLES reference to Mr.. Claws
antecedeuts was made from tradition
rather than from printed history, but
from his letter il is seen that it was cor
rect in the main. Cassius MarcelIus
Clay Is one of the most CONSPICUOUS char
acters in the nations history. Although
never elected to any very prominent Of
fee. he has held a number of important
and responsible positions in the govern
ment His most marked characteristic
perhaps. has ever been his agressiveness
OF thought and the marvellous courage Of
his convictions. Had he been on the
popular side of a leading question he
might have been president many times:
but like his iHustrious Though not ahler)
kinsman. Henry Clay, he would rather
be right than to be president"
And now, although well advanced in
years. lac takes as lively interest
in current question of public
concern as he ever has. In an
address delivered before the Alumni
of Yale University of the class of 1882.
Of which he was member. and for
which address he had for theme. Pro
hibition, Labor and Woman Suffrage.
Is found this remarkable grouping and
conclusion: "Ingersol Fisk Lucy Stone.
Henry George and John MoSt-inlidehtv.
prohibition. woman suffrage and nihjI-
ism-aI lead down to anarchy and the
death of the Republic" On tine subject
of prohibition. Mr.. CLAW says.
Temperance Is well: temperance in
eating and temperance in drinking: tenn
perance in all things. But sumptuarv
laws are forbidden by All the wisest
apothegnls of the greatest thinkers. The
world Is governed TOO much. Power Is
always stealing from the many to the
few. Temperance, like all the viz
tues, comes best 10y moral rule and sua-
sion. The church. the Sunday school.
the family. the common school. must
teach temperance. Drunkenness, like
other crimes. must be punished bv fine.
imprisonment. exile and death. If need
be. But 1t Is illogical 20 punish one for
what another does. SJimulantS are the
cool gift of Deity: as medicines they
stand against all the other thousand
drugs Of the shop. I viii not by my own
consent yield up the right 10 Use bur not
abuse them. Poverty mases more
drunkards than whisky"
Coming TO the question Of Woman
Suffrage in the address referred To SIR.
CLAW said, in part: Woman Suffrage
Is the most serious question now pend
ing. The family Is the base of civillza-
ZION. Il cannot exist without a head
one VIII Is the necessity OF unity. II
two men ride OF "a horse. one must
need ride before. Either the man OF