Cassius Marcellus Clay: American Politician, Abolitionist, and Freemason

Written by Rough Ashlar with assistance of ChatGPT

Cassius Marcellus Clay, a prominent figure in American history, was an influential politician, ardent abolitionist, and member Freemasonry. Born on October 19th, 1810, in Madison County, Kentucky, Clay came from a politically active family. His father, Green Clay, was a prominent planter and slaveholder, while his brother, Brutus Clay, also entered politics. Despite his family's ties to slavery, Clay became a passionate advocate for emancipation and played a significant role in shaping the anti-slavery movement. This article delves into the life of Cassius Marcellus Clay, highlighting his political career, his involvement in the abolitionist cause, and his affiliation with Freemasonry.

Early Life and Influences

Cassius Marcellus Clay's early years were marked by encounters that would shape his perspective on slavery and propel him towards activism. He attended Transylvania University and later graduated from Yale College in 1832. During his time at Yale, Clay had the opportunity to hear the renowned abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison speak. Garrison's powerful rhetoric resonated with Clay, who described Garrison's arguments as "water to a thirsty wayfarer." While Clay was inspired by Garrison's ideas, he did not initially align with Garrison's call for immediate abolition. Instead, Clay favored a more gradual approach to legal change, especially during the early years of his political career.

Political Career and Anti-Slavery Advocacy

Clay's political journey began with his entry into the Republican Party in Kentucky, where he eventually forged a friendship with Abraham Lincoln. Clay even emerged as a potential vice-presidential running mate for Lincoln but lost out to Hannibal Hamlin. In 1835, Clay was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives, serving three consecutive terms. As he grew more vocal in his anti-slavery stance, Clay began losing favor with voters in Kentucky, ultimately leading to his unsuccessful bid for a fourth term.

Clay's commitment to the abolitionist cause was further solidified in 1843 when he established an anti-slavery newspaper called the True American. Within a month, Clay faced death threats, prompting him to fortify his office and turn it into a stronghold, complete with two four-pounder cannons. Despite these measures, a mob of around sixty men managed to break into Clay's office, destroying or stealing his printing equipment. Undeterred, Clay relocated his newspaper operations to Cincinnati, Ohio, a hub for abolitionists at the time.

In 1846, Clay temporarily set aside his political career to serve in the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1847. After the war, he resumed his advocacy against slavery, opposing the annexation of Texas and the expansion of slavery into the Southwest. Clay's dedication to the cause often led him into confrontations, one of the most notable being an attack by six brothers with the last name Turner in 1849. Despite the odds, Clay fought off all six assailants, tragically killing one of them.

Diplomatic Service and International Influence

In 1861, President Lincoln appointed Clay as the Minister to Russia. However, shortly before Clay and his family departed for their diplomatic mission, the American Civil War erupted. Sensing the vulnerability of Washington, D.C. at the war's onset, Clay organized 300 volunteers to guard the White House and the U.S. Naval Yard until Union troops arrived.

Once in Russia, Clay wielded his diplomatic influence to support the Union cause. He used his connections with Tsar Alexander II to secure Russian backing for the Union. The Tsar, concerned about foreign intervention in the American Civil War, warned Britain and France that recognizing the Confederacy could lead to a conflict with Russia. Additionally, the Tsar dispatched a fleet of Russian ships to the shores of the United States with sealed orders. In the early 20th century, it was revealed that the sealed orders directed the Russian fleet to attack any French or British vessels attempting to aid the Confederacy.

In 1862, Clay briefly returned to the United States when President Lincoln offered him a commission as a major general in the Union Army. However, Clay accepted the commission under the condition that Lincoln would emancipate slaves under Confederate control. Lincoln dispatched Clay to assess the public sentiment on emancipation in Kentucky and the border states. Clay's positive report played a role in influencing Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863. After a few months, Clay resigned his commission and returned to his post in Russia. During his tenure in Russia, Clay also played a pivotal role in the negotiation of the Alaska Purchase from Russia in 1867.

Freemasonry

Clay was also a Freemason who joined Davies Lodge No. 22 in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1833. He later became a member of Richmond Lodge No. 25 in Richmond, Kentucky, where he served as Worshipful Master in 1844. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky and served as Grand Orator in 1846. He used his Masonic connections to promote his anti-slavery views and to seek support for his political career. He also advocated for the admission of African Americans into Freemasonry and supported Prince Hall Masonry. He was a friend and mentor of John G. Fee, a fellow abolitionist and Freemason who founded Berea College, the first interracial college in the South.

Later Years

In 1869, disillusioned by President Grant's policies, Clay left the Republican Party. He joined the liberal Republican Revolt in 1872 and later re-joined the Republican Party in 1884. In his later years, Clay's personality took a turn toward paranoia, leading him to fortify his home and become increasingly reclusive. In 1878, after 45 years of marriage, Clay divorced his wife, citing abandonment, following her inability to tolerate his infidelities. At the age of 84, he remarried to a 15-year-old orphaned sister of one of his sharecropping tenants.

Legacy

Clay was also connected to Muhammad Ali, the famous boxer and civil rights activist, through Ali's grandfather. Ali's grandfather, Abe Grady, was an Irish immigrant who married a freed slave named Edith Greathouse, who was one of Clay's former slaves. Clay had emancipated Edith and her mother when he inherited them from his father. Clay also gave Edith some land and a house as part of her freedom. Edith and Abe had a daughter named Odessa Lee Grady, who married Cassius Marcellus Clay Sr. who had been named in honor of the emancipationist, Ali's father. Ali's original name was Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., after his father. Ali later changed his name to Muhammad Ali when he converted to Islam.

Clay died in 1903 at the age of 92 at his estate in Whitehall, Kentucky. He was buried at Richmond Cemetery with Masonic honors. He left behind a legacy of courage, conviction, and compassion that inspired generations of Americans to fight for freedom and justice.