This eBook was produced by David Widger
In February, 1839, Henry Clay delivered a speech in the United States Senate, which was intended to smooth away the difficulties which his moderate opposition to the encroachments of slavery had erected in his path to the presidency. His calumniation of O'Connell called out the following summary of the career of the great Irish patriot. It was published originally in the Pennsylvania Freeman of Philadelphia, April 25, 1839.
Perhaps the most unlucky portion of the unlucky speech of Henry Clay onthe slavery question is that in which an attempt is made to hold up toscorn and contempt the great Liberator of Ireland. We say an attempt,for who will say it has succeeded? Who feels contempt for O'Connell?Surely not the slaveholder? From Henry Clay, surrounded by his slave-gang at Ashland, to the most miserable and squalid slave-driver and smallbreeder of human cattle in Virginia and Maryland who can spell the nameof O'Connell in his newspaper, these republican brokers in blood fear andhate the eloquent Irishman. But their contempt, forsooth! Talk of thesheep-stealer's contempt for the officer of justice who nails his ears tothe pillory, or sets the branding iron on his forehead!
After denouncing the abolitionists for gratuitously republishing theadvertisements for runaway slaves, the Kentucky orator says:—
"And like a notorious agitator upon another theatre, they would hunt downand proscribe from the pale of civilized society the inhabitants of thatentire section. Allow me, Mr. President, to say that whilst I recognizein the justly wounded feelings of the Minister of the United States atthe Court of St. James much to excuse the notice which he was provoked totake of that agitator, in my humble opinion he would better haveconsulted the dignity of his station and of his country in treating himwith contemptuous silence. He would exclude us from European society, hewho himself, can only obtain a contraband admission, and is received withscornful repugnance into it! If he be no more desirous of our societythan we are of his, he may rest assured that a state of perpetual non-intercourse will exist between us. Yes, sir, I think the AmericanMinister would best have pursued the dictates of true dignity byregarding the language of the member of the British House of Commons asthe malignant ravings of the plunderer of his own country, and thelibeller of a foreign and kindred people."
The recoil of this attack "followed hard upon" the tones ofcongratulation and triumph of partisan editors at the consummate skilland dexterity with which their candidate for the presidency had absolvedhimself from the suspicion of abolitionism, and by a master-stroke ofpolicy secured the confidence of the slaveholding section of theUnion. But the late Whig defeat in New York has put an end to thesepremature rejoicings. "The speech of Mr. Clay in reference to the Iris