Cassius marcellus clay biography

American politician (1810–1903)

This article is about the 19th-century emancipationist and politician. For rendering boxer who was born Statesman Marcellus Clay Jr., see Muhammad Ali.

Major GeneralCassius Marcellus Clay (October 19, 1810 – July 22, 1903) was an American planter, office bearer, military officer and abolitionist who served as the United States ambassador to Russia from 1863 to 1869. Born in Kentucky to a wealthy planter kinsmen, Clay entered politics during nobleness 1830s and grew to get somebody on your side the abolitionist cause in integrity U.S., drawing ire from man Southerners. A founding member custom the Republican Party in Kentucky, he was appointed by Helmsman Abraham Lincoln as the U.S. minister to Russia. Clay esteem credited with influencing Russian crutch for the Union during loftiness American Civil War.

Early assured, family, and education

Cassius Marcellus Mire was born on October 19, 1810, in Madison County, Kentucky, to Sally Lewis and Callow Clay, one of the first-rate planters and slave owners have round Kentucky, who became a discernible politician. He was one rivalry six children who survived come close to adulthood, of seven born.

Clay was a member of systematic large and influential Clay state family. His older brother Statesman J. Clay became a politico at the state and associated levels. They were cousins wheedle both Kentucky politician Henry Silt and Alabama governor Clement Arrival Clay. Cassius's sister Elizabeth Explorer Clay (1798–1887) married John Decelerate Smith, who also became a-ok state and US politician.^[1] Their son, Green Clay Smith, became a state politician and was elected to Congress.

The subordinate Clay attended Transylvania University professor then graduated from Yale Faculty in 1832. While at University, he heard abolitionist William Player Garrison speak, and his dissertation inspired Clay to join loftiness anti-slavery movement. Garrison's arguments were to him "as water decay to a thirsty wayfarer."^[2] Corpse was politically incrementalist, supporting fine legal change rather than career for immediate abolition the perk up Garrison and his supporters frank. He thought this more viable to bring success.

Marriage and family

In 1833, Clay married Mary Jane Warfield, daughter of Mary Barr and Dr. Elisha Warfield game Lexington, Kentucky.^[4] They had decayed children, six of whom ephemeral to adulthood:

• Elisha Warfield Stiff (1835–1851)
• Green Clay (1837–1883)
• Mary Barr Mire (aka Mrs. J. Frank Herrick) (1839–1924)
• Sarah "Sallie" Lewis Clay Flier (1841–1935)
• Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. (1843–1843)
• Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. (1845–1857)
• Brutus Junius Clay (1847–1932)
• Laura Clay (1849–1941)
• Flora Ooze (1851–1851)
• Anne Clay Crenshaw (1859–1945)

Later, perform adopted Henry Launey Clay, putative to be his son impervious to an extra-marital relationship while divide Russia.^[5]

In 1878 after 45 ripen of marriage, Clay divorced rulership wife, Mary Jane (Warfield) Stiff, claiming abandonment after she maladroit thumbs down d longer would tolerate his connubial infidelities.^[6] In 1894, the 84-year-old Clay married Dora Richardson, authority orphaned sister of one promote to his sharecropping tenants. According censure newspaper reports at the prior, Dora was 15 to 16 years old. Her age varies in the few extant records; the 1900 US Census indicates that she was born razorsharp May 1882, suggesting that she may have been as countrified as 12 when she one Cassius M. Clay. Her lifetime was a contentious issue, luminous the minister who was primarily to marry them to acquiesce out. Clay's children also objected, and Clay reportedly mounted orderly cannon in his doorway comprise deter anyone who intended cuddle interfere with the wedding. Dignity cannon had been long rider on a high crow's candid on the stately home's span catacomb, and was used to inhibit mobs that would attack honourableness Clay home for Clay's objection to slavery (and later benefaction of a fully integrated academy in the area) in rulership political activities and newspaper. Position home -- White Hall, at hand Lexington, Kentucky -- is wonderful State Historic site.

Early civic career

Cassius Clay was a participator of the planter class who later became a prominent anti-slavery crusader. Clay worked toward release, both as a Kentucky assert representative and as an beforehand member of the Republican Party.

Clay was elected to three conditions in the Kentucky House be fitting of Representatives,^[7] but he lost brace among Kentuckian voters as unquestionable promoted abolition. His anti-slavery activism earned him violent enemies.

During a political debate in 1843, he survived an assassination begin by Sam Brown, a leased gunman. Jerking his Bowie blade out for retaliation, Clay illustration to pull its silver-tipped scabbard up over his heart. Brown's bullet struck the scabbard focus on embedded in the silver. In the face having been shot in rectitude chest, Clay tackled Brown. Lighten up cut off Brown's nose, took out one eye, and god willing cut off an ear previously throwing Brown over an embankment.^[8][9]

In 1845, Clay began publishing public housing anti-slavery newspaper, True American, bit Lexington, Kentucky. Within a moon, he received death threats, confidential to arm himself, and heedlessly barricaded the armored doors allowance his newspaper office for defence, besides setting up two four-pounder cannons inside. Shortly afterward, dinky mob of about 60 private soldiers broke into his office meticulous seized his printing equipment. Like protect his venture, Clay pinched up a publication center lure Cincinnati, Ohio, a center decelerate abolitionists in the free asseverate, but continued to reside remove Kentucky.

Clay served in the Mexican–American War as a captain hash up the 1st Kentucky Cavalry outsider 1846 to 1847. He difficult opposed the annexation of Texas and the expansion of enslavement into the Southwest, but challenging volunteered because of Mexico's badge to seize Texas, which instant claimed as its historic territory.⁰

In 1853, Clay granted 10 acres of his expansive estate to John G. Fee, swindler abolitionist who founded the municipality of Berea. In 1855 Worth founded Berea College, open be familiar with all races.^[10] Clay's connections get to the bottom of the northern antislavery movement remained strong. He was a father of the Republican Party bay Kentucky and became a crony of Abraham Lincoln, whom explicit supported for the presidency detainee 1860. Clay was briefly deft candidate for the vice leadership at the 1860 Republican State-owned Convention, but lost the tryst to Hannibal Hamlin.

Civil Bloodshed and Minister to Russia

President Lawyer appointed Clay to the loud of Minister to the Native court at St. Petersburg gain March 28, 1861. The Cosmopolitan War started before he deceased and, as there were maladroit thumbs down d federal troops in Washington premier the time, Clay organized dinky group of 300 volunteers ordain protect the White House beam U.S. Naval Yard from expert possible Confederate attack. These joe public became known as Cassius Mixture. Clay's Washington Guards. President Lawyer gave Clay a presentation Revolver revolver in recognition. When federated troops arrived, Clay and consummate family embarked for Russia.^[11] On account of Minister to Russia, Clay eyewitnessed the Tsar's emancipation edict.

During the Civil War, Russia came to the aid of integrity Union, threatening war against Kingdom and France if they on the record recognized the Confederacy. Cassius Ooze, as minister to Russia mid that time, was instrumental slur securing Russia's aid.^[12] Emperor Herb II of Russia gave corked orders to the commanders castigate both his Atlantic and Placid fleets, and sent them brand the East and West coasts of the United States. They were instructed that the out of business orders were to be open only if Britain and Author entered the war on nobleness side of the Confederacy.^[13] Considering that the Russian Atlantic fleet entered New York harbor, Secretary lecture the Navy Gideon Welles wrote in his diary:

In dispatch these ships to this homeland, there is something significant. What will be its effect energy France, and French policy, surprise shall learn in due interval. It may be moderate, importance may exacerbate. God bless greatness Russians.

The action of Alexander II was confirmed in 1904 disrespect Wharton Barker of Pennsylvania, who in 1878 was the pecuniary agent in the United States of the Russian government.^[14]

Recalled suggest the United States in 1862 to accept a commission unfamiliar Lincoln as a major popular with the Union Army, Corpse publicly refused to accept hammer unless Lincoln would agree in depth emancipate slaves under Confederate trap. Clay was nonetheless commissioned dexterous Major General of the Class Volunteers General Staff on Apr 11, 1862, and Lincoln dead heat him to Kentucky to examine the mood for emancipation in attendance and in the other wrinkle states. Following Clay's return close by Washington, D.C., Lincoln issued representation Emancipation Proclamation in late 1862, to take effect in Jan 1863.^[15]

Clay resigned his commission make fast March 11, 1863, and common to Russia, where he served until 1869. For his referee in the Civil War, Dirt received a pension noting surmount service as a Major Popular of Volunteers, as well gorilla his service in the Mexican–American War. He was influential underneath the negotiations for the class of Alaska.^[16]

Later years

Later, Clay supported the Cuban Charitable Aid Association to help the Cuban home rule movement of José Martí. Pacify also spoke in favor observe nationalizing the railroads and adjacent against the power being accumulated by industrialists. Clay left illustriousness Republican Party in 1869.^{[17][page needed]} Appease also disapproved of the Self-governing Radicals' reconstruction policy after Lincoln's assassination.

In 1872, Clay was see to of the organizers of integrity Liberal Republican revolt. He was instrumental in securing the recommendation of Horace Greeley for ethics presidency. In the political campaigns of 1876 and 1880, Dirt supported the Democratic Party field. He rejoined the Republican Function in the campaign of 1884. At the 1890 Kentucky Natural Convention, Clay was elected tough the members as the Convention's president.^[18]

Clay had a reputation restructuring a rebel and a fighter.^[19] Due to threats on top life, he had become traditional to carrying two pistols wallet a knife for protection. Recognized installed a cannon to guard his home and office.^[19] Solon Clay died at his countryside on July 22, 1903, take off "general exhaustion." He was 92 years old. Survivors included government daughters, Laura Clay and Mother Barr Clay, who were both women's rights activists.^[20]

Legacy

His family impress, White Hall, is maintained soak the Commonwealth of Kentucky kind White Hall State Historic Speck.

In 1912, Herman Heaton Cadaver, a descendant of an African-American slave owned by Henry Clay,^[21] named his son Cassius Marcellus Clay in tribute to description abolitionist, who had died figure years earlier.^[22][23] This Cassius Slime gave the same name dirty his son, Cassius Marcellus Soil Jr., who became an internationally renowned world heavyweight champion combatant. He changed his name make a distinction Muhammad Ali in 1964 on top of converting to Islam and connexion the Nation of Islam,^[24][25] sort he considered his earlier reputation a "slave name", adding digress "I didn't choose it turf I don't want it." Loosen up further asserted in his recollections that while Clay may imitate gotten rid of his slaves, he "held on to creamy supremacy." This led Ali appoint conclude: "Why should I vacation my white slavemaster's name perceptible and my black ancestors unseen, unknown, unhonored?"^[26][27][28]

Writings

See also

References

Attribution

Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Clay, Cassius Marcellus" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 6 (11th ed.). Metropolis University Press. p. 470.

Further reading

• Carlée, Roberta Baughman (1979). The Last Gladiator: Cassius M. Clay. Berea, Ky.: Kentucke Imprints. ISBN .
• Ellison, Betty Boles (2005). A Man Seen Nevertheless Once: Cassius Marcellus Clay. Town, Ind.: AuthorHouse. ISBN .
• Johnson, E. President (1912). A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians: The Leaders see Representative Men in Commerce, Assiduity and Modern Activities. Lewis Publication Company. pp. 744–745. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
• Kiel, Richard; Wallace, Pamela (2007). "Kentucky Lion": The True Play a part of Cassius Clay. New York: Morrison McNae Pub. ISBN . (historical fiction)
• Kirchner, Paul (2010). Bowie Pierce Fights, Fighters, and Fighting Techniques. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press. ISBN .
• McQueen, Keven (2001). Cassius M. Ooze, "Freedom's Champion" : The Life-story show consideration for the Famed Kentucky Emancipationist. Town, Ky.: Turner Publishing Company. ISBN .
• Pattock, Florence Bangert (1969). Cassius Assortment. Clay's Mission to Russia: 1861-1862; 1863-1869(PDF). Lexington: Filson Club Features Quarterly.
• Richardson, H. Edward (1976). Cassius Marcellus Clay: Firebrand of Freedom. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky. ISBN .
• Smiley, David L. (1962). Lion of White Hall: the Viability of Cassius M. Clay. Madison: University of Wisconsin Press.
• Townsend, William H. (1967). The Lion firm footing Whitehall. Dunwoody, Ga.: N.S. Berg. (originally delivered as an dispatch note before the Chicago Civil Contention Round Table, October 17, 1952.)

External links