Richmond in Wayne County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mendenhall-Clay Debate / Confrontation
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 3, 2019
1. Mendenhall-Clay Debate/Confrontation Marker
Inscription.
Mendenhall-Clay Debate, also, Confrontation. . On October First, 1842, in what was then an open tract in this city square. Henry Clay, the leader of the Whig Party, delivered an address to an immense multitude and Hiram Mendenhall, a Quaker abolitionist, presented to him on behalf of the Indiana Anti-Slavery Society, a numerously signed petition, asking him to free his slaves. Clay, in an eloquent reply, criticised this act as a breach of hospitality, described the difficulties and perils of immediate emancipation and advised Mendenhall to begin his work of benevolence at home. Clay’s rejoinder was… overwhelmingly applauded, yet the incident was afterwards an important factor… in the defeat of Clay for the presidency in 1844: and in the spread of the anti-slavery sentiment which contributed to the dissolution of the Whig Party, the organization of the Republican Party and finally to the Civil War and ultimate emancipation
On October First, 1842, in what was then an open tract in this city
square. Henry Clay, the leader of the Whig Party, delivered an
address to an immense multitude and Hiram Mendenhall, a Quaker
abolitionist, presented to him on behalf of the Indiana Anti-Slavery
Society, a numerously signed petition, asking him to free his slaves.
Clay, in an eloquent reply, criticised this act as a breach of hospitality,
described the difficulties and perils of immediate emancipation
and advised Mendenhall to begin his work of benevolence at home.
Clay’s rejoinder was… overwhelmingly applauded, yet the incident
was afterwards an important factor… in the defeat of Clay for the presidency in 1844:
and in the spread of the anti-slavery sentiment which contributed to the dissolution
of the Whig Party, the organization of the Republican Party
and finally to the Civil War and ultimate emancipation
Location. 39° 49.845′ N, 84° 53.56′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Indiana, in Wayne
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County. Marker is at the intersection of N A Street (U.S. 40) and 7th Street, on the right when traveling west on N A Street. Marker is in front of Seton Catholic School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 N A Street, Richmond IN 47374, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 3, 2019
2. Mendenhall-Clay Debate/Confrontation Marker
full view of marker
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, September 3, 2019
3. Mendenhall-Clay Debate/Confrontation Marker
marker as seen from corner of 7th and N A Streets
Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 508 times since then and 59 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
