Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-11
THE DEBATE IN THE SENATE.

On Monday, Mr. Clay spoke three hours, and
concluded his speech on the Tariff; u speech which
appears to have put all Washington in motion
The Nat. Int. of Tuesday thus speaks of tho last
days speech:
"Nearly the whole of yesterdays sitting of the
Senate was occupied by Mr.. CLAY i'm the conciu.
sion OF his argument on the Taaiff. He spoke
more than three hours; and was briefly replied to
by Mr. SMITH of Maryland, between whom and
Nr. Z. some passages followed, of so warm a char
acer as to call forth the interposiion of the Chair.
I'VE should have supposed that the public ap-
petite tor the debate had been in some degree sa.
tod by the previous displays; but Yesterday tho
crowd which pressed into the Senate chamber was
even greater than any former day. Indeed the
jam exceeded any thing of the kind which we ever
before witnessed. In the galleries, it seemed to
us that men literally stood on others shoulders
below, the chamber was almost entirely filled with
ladles-not seated-for the greater part of them it
was impossible to furnish seats-but standing in
compact mass-and this for four or five hours.
Truly, one knows not which most to admire in tho
falr audtory-ther intellectual relish or their pow
er of endurance.
"Ihc resolution from the House of Representa-
tiVes proposing joint committee to make arrange.
ments for celebrating the Centennial anniversary
OF the birth of Washington, was yesterday con.
Cured in by the Senate, con. and commit
tee of five ordered on tho part of that body.
"Ihc House of Representatives adjourned yes
terday at an early hour. No other business was
reception
reports of committees"
The Globe gives some account of tho passages
between Mr.. Clay and Gen. Smith, but an account
SO lame and malicious, that shall await fuller
one from more impartial source.
We find this in the Baltimore Chronicle The
debate on the Tariff was still in progress, Mr. Man.
gum ef N. Carolina occupying the floor on Tues
day.
Erfract Of letter from correspondent dated
WAsmNGToN, a. c. Feb, 3, 1892.
have Just returned from the Senate Hall-the
lobbes and galleries were crowded to excess-and
many OF the Senators resigned their seats for
the accommodation of the ladies'. Mr.. Clan was the
great magnetic opened his speech yesterday in
reply to Mr. Haync, of S. c. on the modification of
the existing Tariff. To say that l was pleased
would be extending but faint praise to the great
umInary of the West. There blending OF
wit and depth of knowledge in the speech which
at once riveted the attention of every individual
prcsent.--Lkc the great Canning, he was par,icu.
larly happy in gathering all his arguments togeth.
er, as 1T were, into one huge mass and hurting it
with tremendous power upon his ntagonst. The
effect of his cloquence truly astounding
| Though fancy, those Eng.ishmen who were prc.
sent, were rot willing to put his powers on foot
ing with the mepnest of the British House of Com
mons!-Mr. Clay's cuts at the En- esh MonopoIy
OF Commerce were direct and home thrust. Nor
were his high encomiums on the Irish as a peopIe
lost upon his auditors.
Sir" said he; while his expressive eye kindlcd
with unusual enthusiasm 81 have often thought
since L was boy, that the green isle was once
linked to our vast continent, but by some strange
convulsion in nature, it was unfortunately driver
to the shores of Britain. The principles, passion.
and hearts of the Irish and Americans are one"
The appearance Of the hall during the speaking
of Mr.. Clay, was truly striking. Filled as it wa.
with the wisdom. talent and beauty of the coun
try, it could not but form an interesting scene &c
the stranger; and, though the crowd was great
every word fell distinctly the ear, and at every
pause dead silence reigncd, as if no one dared
to break the spell he had wrought with such magic
power.
Mr.. Clay is far from being handsome man
though his features are highly expressive and his
eye is only to be ou-dazzled by Mr. Calhoun's. A
perpetual smile plays the corner of his lips,
which tends to smooth down the natural roughness
of his countcnance. His voice is clear and his ar.
ticula:on distinct; and when he has got fairly un.
der weigh, can only compare his eloquence to an
impctuous avalanche, gathering and rolling on,
bearing every obstacle before it. Milton expresses
what would say of his eloquence:
| His tongue
| Droppd mama, and could make the worse apes
| The better reason, to perplex and dash