Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-13
FROM WASHINGTON.

In the Senate yesterday, after the transaction
of unimportant business, Ma. CLAY rose and
addressed the Senate in speech Of some length,
explanatory of the bill which he asked leave 10
bring in, to modify and adjust the Tariff -
We will not do injustice to the effort Of Mr..
CLAY BY any attempt at report. which, from our
situation, we were unable to make SO as to give
a satisfactory synopsis Of his able argument
Suffice it to say that the gifted Orator held en-.
chained an attentive Senate, and a crowded au-
dience 10 GREATNESS attention, as long as his
speech lasted, save only when involuntary ex.
CARNATIONS Of pleasure were expressed; and on
one occasion o simultaneous burst of applause
arose from the galleries We listened with more
than pleasure-with admiration, to his touching
descriptions-his patriotic appeals-and his eo.
quent exhortations. He declared that his object
was peace-conciliation-an Union; that he
was sick with contention and turmoil; that he
sought to harmonize the conflicting Interests Of
his country. and reconcile the Earring opinions Of
his countrymen. He confessed. that shen he
first heard of the South Carolina Ordinance, he
was disposed TO hurl defiance at the insulting
threats of that State. but that now the first of
February was past. and that he had heard that
assurances had been given that that State did
not mediate force-but wished only to try the
question before the civil tribunals. Now, there.
fure, he was more disposed to act on the case
to meet the complaints of the South in spirit Of
good will; and, if possible, again 10 unite our
people as band Of brothers.
We shall. Of course, take the first opportunity
Of publishing this speech, which, we predict,will
add another leaf to the civic wreath which pos.
terity will award to the Orator Of the West.
Mr.. Cay's bill, which we shall publish to-
morrow, proposes gradual reduction Of the
Tadf-to take effect by reductions Of one -tenth
over 90 per cent. ad valorem. in the amount eve
~ other year, down to 1912, when the Tariff is
to be reduced to permanent Revenue standard.
This is the principal feature Of the Bill.
MIR. CLAY concluded his speech by asking leave
of the Senate to introduce the Bill.
Mr.. FoRsYTH. of Ga, objected to the leave,
on the ground that the bill contained provision
raising the duties on some enumerated articles,
and that therefore il was not competent for the
Senate to originate such bill.
This objection gave rise to considerable discus.
sion. in the course Of which Mr.. CALHOUN ex.
pressed himself as highly gratihed with the gene.
raj design Of the Bill, and that it contained the
true principles on~hich this vexed question could
be settled.
MIR. Calhoun concluded by expressing lis ar.
dent wish that peace and Union should again be
restored. The audience audibIy expressed their
approbatlon.-bu were checked by the President
of the Senate who stated that such interruptions
would not be allowed.
Leave was finally granted, Mr.. FoRsYra alone
audbly dissenting
The discussion upon this question of order was
made interesting by some incidents, which will
hereafter noticed.
Mr.. WEBSTER took occasion, in the course of
II, to expresshis inconvenience 10 several OF the
views entertained by Mr., CLAY, and stated that
he would, TO day, introduce resolutions contain
ing his opinions the subject, when he will
probably address the Senate.
The Senate then proceeded to consider some
amendments to the Revenue Collection Bill, re.
ported BY the Judiciary Committee.
In the House, the bill for the relief of the heirs
of Matthew Lyon was PASSED The Tariff Bill
was further considered.