The Washington herald., 1908-03-23
Henry Clay-ChampiOn Of Freedom

Il
| EDITOR The Washington Herald:
In the issue Of The Washington Herald
Of the 9th instant said: CLAY It was
who looked at Spain and the Indies and
called new world into existence -
the very thing Lord Canning claimed 10
his own credit. It is true.
Henry Clay knew that the natural rea-
soning Of Europe, typlfed in the Holy
Alliance. was to recover her lost colonial
possessions. which political attitude deep
! ly concerned the United States He
knew the example OF America had inc:ted
South America to rebellion. 1t was but
natural. then. that his intensely patri-
otto spirit longed to see each Individual
South American enjoy the rights of lib
erty. and each South American colony be
free and sovereign. to the end that
American republicanism politically OPP
pose European absolutism. Accordingly
he wrought for its accomplishment.
The Spanish-American colonies sought
to purchase ships. and looked toward
America. The Spanish minister. for rea-
sons. fancied or real, that ships were
being constructed for her rebellious colo
/ MES, seems TO have influenced President
Madison in imposing. more strictly, neu-
trality for which he recommended to
! Congress a law. The bill embodying his
recommendation being under debate.
January II. 1S17. Mr.. Clay. while favor
ing neutrality opposed the proposed pen
atty measures as not demanded, and as
going far beyond those of President
]
law of 1924 with France. Its friends con-
sidered and supported it as a municipal
regulation. intended merely to enforce the
courtry's laws. to which Clay replied:
"Bestow on it what denomination you
please. disguise it as you may. it is a
law. and viii be understood by the world
as law. 10 discountenance any aid being
given to the South American colonies in
state of revolution against the parent
country"
Thus he proclaimed the vital point and
sounded many of lesser Importance. In
this debate, he said that he had not for
the first time expressed his opinion and
wishes for the struggling South American
colonies. Indeed, We know he began in
1870 in the Senate. and was the first and
for long time the sole champion Of
South American freedom
President Monroe, in his first annual
message. 1911. said the United States re-
garded the contest between Spain and
her colonies as civil war, and had
maintained neutrality; and when this
part OF the message was TO be referred.
by resolution, Clay, knowing that Span
ish agents were abusing neutrality
thought Congress should interpose its au-
thority, and moved an amendment to the
end of "a just observance of the duties
incident 10 the neutral relation in which
the United States stand in the existing
war between them and Spain" Thus he
would make Congress the guardian of
their interests-their representative in
what the country might do RE begged
Congress to recollect the condition of the
patriots with no minister to watch over
their inte-ests-WOrse off than We when
our Franklins and Jays were skulking
about Europe for help TO terminate a
war affecting humanity; the great dis
parity between the cOntending parties.
and then he demanded the just attention
OF Congress to the interests Of the party
unrepresented, and that the House obli-
cations OF neutrality be strictly regarded
The amendment was, unopposed. passed.
Monroe, more than Madison. took to
head and heart the South American
cause Soon after his Inauguration, 1917,