A P P E A L OF C A S S I U S M . C L A Y .

T H E Y w h o on the eighteenth day of A u g u s t , 1845, r ose i n a rms, overpowered the c i v i l a uthorities, a n d established a n i rresponsible despotism upon the constitutional l i b e r ties of this C o m m o n w e a l t h , i n justification of their conduct, " appeal to K e n t u c k y a n d to the w o r l d . " So be it. L e t K e n t u c k y a n d the w o r l d j u d g e . W h e n t he public p eace i s d i s t u r b e d     w h e n the l a w s a re d e f i e d     w h e n the Constitution is o v e r t h r o w n ,     a n d w h e n , b y the a v o w a l of murderous purposes, n atural r ight a n d d ivine justice are i m p i o u s l y violated :   not the loss o f property   not the i n d i v i d u a l w r o n g and suffering   not e v e n the shedding of blood, are to be w e i g h e d a m o m e n t : but the great principles of liberty only a re to be b orne i n m i n d ; w h i l s t i n d i v i d u a l s , h o w e v e r h i g h or l o w , a re to be forgotten. I f it s hall t urn o ut that these p r i n ciples w e r e by me violated or endangered,   then w a s i t r ight t hat m y h ouse s hould have b e e n r udely entered b y p ersonal enemies, threatening me w i t h t he dread alternative o f death or dishonor,   then w a s it right that the s ick c hamber should not w a k e , i n the b osoms o f the stern v indicators o f the l a w , s ome f e e l i n g of p i t y i n g s y m p a t h y or magnanimous forbearance,   then w a s it right that m y w i f e and children should, for l o n g days and nights, suffer t he terrors of i m p e n d i n g r u i n ,     t h e n w a s it right that I s hould h ave m y property confiscated,   then w a s it right t hat I s hould be o u t l a w e d and e x i l e d , from the land of m y b irth, a nd the buried ashes of m y o w n loved blood a n d e ver-cherished friends. B u t if, on the other hand,