Delaware State journal, advertiser and star. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1832-1833, 1833-05-24

character Of the ilnpost duties. Mr. 4
Clay thought he saw such a disposition
in the South as rendered necessary the
kind Of bill that he duced-whllst
Mr.. Webster, unconscious OF such alarm
ling appearances in the southern sky,
thought it safest to all concerned to do
nothing more than 10 let the law OF the
18th July, 1882, go into operation, be-
ing itself a great diminution of the rate
of tariff as concession to southern feel I
ing, as well as a reduction Of revenue adj
apted to national wants, that its results
might serve as the best criterion OF the
kind and degree of reduction that it
would be further ne cesary to make.
That they were in opposition to each
other in the discussion on Mr.. Clay's bill
is certainly no evidence OF hostility.
Mr.. Wcbster's preference for another
course being known, he assigned his rea-
sons for that course, and against the one
suggested by Mr. Clay-but in this every
thought and phrase with him was in har-
mony with the strictest fricndliness-the
slightest asperity never escaped from
his lips. II on the other hand, Mr.. Clay
did glance a sarcasm at Mr.. w. (not fell
citousIy borrowing the expression OF
snew born zeal" from the debate,) it was
"a way he has" for he knew that there
t is species of grateness that defies all
| sarcasm and triumphs in all argument.
t The best friends may honestly differ on
: a public matter, and be not the less
: friends-their integrity of views is with
u such the bond of friendship.
S Mr.. Clay, it is said, did not consult
e with Mr.. Webster upon his compromise
4 bill, but he consulted with Mr.. Calh oun.
]? We cannot charge Mr.. Clay with want
V of good faith exactly in this. From
+ what had passed, he may have seen the
: views Of Mr.. Webster, for they were al
e ways undisguised-and he may have de-
t sired to know from Mr.. Calhoun what
S was the least that would suffice as an a.
v pology for South Carolina TO retire on.
l. don Mr.. Webster to take up with Mr.
e Calhoun, is doing injustice 20 Mr.. Clay !;
it nay, more, it is stiymatising Mr.. Clay
with ingratitude, which we think his
generous heart is incapable Of, for
surely, if ever friend was true, if ever
;. man was faithful, Webster was that true
Il and faithful man to Clay throughout the
n whole period that he was held up as a
candidate for the Presidential chair.
Besides thousand influences cXertcd
by Mr.. Webster in all quarters OF the
e country, his vigilance, devotion, and Tor
IS bearence, to say nothing Of his guardian
Il ship over Nj. Clay's chivalrous excita-
Ibility throughout the whole oil the I'M
precedented long session of Congress pre-
r. ceding the Presidential election, was
equally admirable and unexampled. He
y was never known TO be absent from the
=. Senate Chamber one instant, during the
session of the Senate, when Mr.. Clay
II was out OF the way, and seldom, indeed
l. when he was present. He forborc on all
II occasions to divide with Mr.. Clay, dis
|. |tinction i'll any great debate, leaving him
to Gull all the honors without aid.
s without partnership, without DIVISION
i. and had reason instead of passion decid
,e ed the great contest, Webstcr's speech
j. at Worcester alone would have made Mr..
70 Clay President Of the United States.
~ But even to go back-what event had
such powerful influence to draw Mr.
ar Clay intohoublic life again as the memo
ct rable triumphant stand made by MIR. W.
rs against Mr.. Hayne in defence of Consti
tutional construction, and the compare
q tive aids that the West had received from
ii the Sonth and the North East? Grea
70 and powerful as was that appeal TO Thu
- sense and virtue Of the country, was ther,
,e a man within its borders who felt its el
=. fects more delightfully."- than Mr.. Clay
After all this then, to suppose him capa
ST BILE OF designing, or even permitting a
Ct encouragement from such noble, cstima
!. Bile, and sll powerful friend as MI
&c Webster, would be to underrate Mr.. Cha
and to do injustice to his faithful an
m manly sentiments.
nc But is it asked, hozv is ii that Mr.. Wel
: ster is on the side Of the administrator
q does not that seem stranger l ask in VIII
'.e instance, BY what do you judges The II
re- ply is, Mr.. Webster sustans the constit,
are tonal doctrines set forth by the administr
md ton against South Carolina, and advocat
the Revenue Collection Bill, known as Il
,rs. Enforcing Act. Is this your evidence thi
Mr.. Webster is on the sid Of the adminiStr
> Hon2 Fit is, you have quite as much ey
~ dence that Mr. Clayis on the side of the 4
neg ministration, because he has introduced a
lal, advocated bill to do away all protect
hey and to reduce duties to mere revenue S,
ing tenn, IN exact accordance with the views
the Executive automatically expressed in t
- Congressional Me sages
But let us understand matters plainly.
it meant by saying that Mr.. Webster IS
the side Of the administration, that he h
changed Sides changed his ground, or cha
ged amy opinions or principles If this
~, meant, tits gross error and gross perversi
1911 OF the fact. If on the question of South c.
ech DINA Modification there is any similarity
me opinions and views between Mr.. Webst
4 it, and the administration, it must be obvious
n N, any one. at all informed uDon the matt,