Cassius Clay, heroic Kentucky Abolitionist and Republican
Grand Old Partisan salutes Cassius Clay, born in Kentucky, October 19th 1810. Though from a wealthy plantation family, he soon became a fervent abolitionist and freed his own slaves, even buying another thirteen to keep families together by freeing them as well. "Cash" published the only anti-slavery newspaper in the South, True American, and denounced "the depressing influence of slavery upon all the races."
He was second cousin to Henry Clay. Cassius won three terms in the state house. Twice, pro-slavery thugs tried to murder him. He enlisted as captain in the 1st Kentucky Cavalry during the war with Mexico. He left the Whig Party in 1850 to run for governor as an independent.
Clay donated land for establishing an institution of higher education. Berea College soon became open to students of all races. He helped establish the Kentucky Republican Party and met future president Abraham Lincoln while on a anti-slavery speaking tour in Illinois. Mary Todd had been a childhood friend. A contender for the 1860 Republican vice presidential nomination, he campaigned hard for the GOP ticket.
"A man of strong passionate nature, he has at times been fierce, offensive and fanatical in his championship of his cherished opinions; but he has always been frank, manly, courageous, and has commanded the respect of his most bitter enemies throughout the whole of his career... He scouts the clamors of disunion, and rebukes, with just vehemence, the foolish and traitorous schemes of those who make them."
On his own initiative, Clay recruited three hundred armed volunteers to help defend Washington, DC in the Civil War's first days. Appointed ambassador to Russia, he soon returned when offered a major generalship. General Clay resigned in protest of the President's refusal to declare immediate emancipation. Lincoln then re-named him ambassador to Russia, where years later he would be instrumental in the purchase of Alaska. Sadly, he left the GOP in 1869, but then returned in 1884.
Before converting to Islam, the boxing champion Muhammed Ali had been named for this Republican civil rights activist.
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