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Historical papers
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 on the slavery question is that in which an attempt is made to hold up to scorn 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 small breeder of human cattle in
Virginia and
Maryland who can spell the name of
O'Connell in his newspaper, these republican brokers in blood fear and hate the eloquent
Irishman.
But their contempt, forsooth!
Talk of the sheep-stealer's contempt for the officer of justice who nails his ears to the pillory, or sets the branding iron on his forehead!
