Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-09
CONGRESS.
Mr.. CLAYroN's Speech in the Senate Oh the
REVE UE COLLECTION BILL:

REfE >UE COLLEC lON DlLL:
Mr.. CLAYTON, of Delaware, rose. He said
that when the eloquent aud able Senator from
Virginia Mr.. Tyler rose yesterday, to discuss
the bill under consideration, he had expressed ms
apprehension that some loose remark which might
fall from him, in the ardor Of debate. might prove
fatal to him. Entertained as was by the per-
spicuous and admirable speech OF the gentleman,
sustaining the doctrines of the proud State which
he so honorably has ever represented on this
-four, since his FIRST introduction as member OF
this body, Mr.. C. confessed that he could scarce
" conceive Of the possibility of any distortion
of his views or misapprehe OF his sentl-
ments. know we'll. said Mr.. c., that my ho
norable friend will acquit me, in the outset, OF
any wilful design to misrepresent him; and he
knows equally we'll that If, in the course OF this
heated debate, should at any time, while re-.
ferrins to his opinions, fail to express myself as
he did, it will give me pleasure to stand cor
rected by his explanations. While about to dis.
sent from many of his opinions on this interest.
i ing subject suffer me to add, said Mr.. C., that
if any iuckless expression of mine, delivered in
the heat of this discussion, should go beyond its
mark, and offend his honorable pride. he will let
me 50 far prevail in his most generous thoughts
hurt my brother"
! his Judgment as to the course which il was his
duty to pursue in referring TO this most interest
ing measure, that doubt would have been dispe'.
led by certain resolutions when he held in his
hand, proceeding from the Legislature OF the
State OF whose interests aud " ishes he was o
Representative on this floor.
But, Mr. c. said, his sentiments were no Sc
cret to the People Of the State he had the honor
to represent, or to their Legislature. When doc
trines directly the reverse of these were first ad
, yocated within the walls of this chamber, though
fresh in his seat here, his voice had been raised
against them. The very first effort isaid MIR.
that was ever made here in favor Of the real
Carolina doctrine. of Modification By a State
Conueniion, urged by gentleman now happy
convert to much of my political ca,echism. and
urged then with degree OF ability which has not
been surpassed in this debate-wss replied TO BY
me while ieebly supporting the very doctrine
contained in the resolutions Of Delaware, SD far
as I have referred to them. assure that honor
/. able member there is noU no other mode known
among men, whereby he can be POLITICALLY sa, ed
! Sir, (sald Mr.. c.. the principles with which |
entered public life, ard with which BY the bless.
ings Of God intend to live and dle-the same
principles for which and my political friends
have been contending during the whole period Of
my service in this Senate; have been discovered
by the President, in this perilous crisis OF our
country's history. to be The onv true consrrva-
tive principles Of the Constitution. As one Of
those who have steadily, though unsuccessfully,
opposed wha, in my conscience believe TO have
been Executive usurpations Of power-doctrines
leading. as have often predicted, to the pre-,
sent resul,s-true to the same principles, l now
find myself, by a sudden revolution in the whole
political Course Of the Administration, anxiously
supporting its very strongest measures. At the
same time find the President without the aid
of myself aud my political friends. in very
small and hopeless minority, IN the Senate.
II Is under these circumstances. sir, that the
Chairman of the Committee assigns a reason for
supporting this bill so directly opposite To mine
-sn repugnant To all nv notions Of right aud
wrong-that deem it nv duty in imie to en-
ter my protest against it. He supports the bill,
If | understood him rightly. because the Pres-
dent is 10 execute it. He votes tor this great
measure because it coniers power on one who
(teil il not in GathD "never abused powe,?''-
He goes for the man-he sustains the principle
for the sake of the man. There NAV BIZ others,
sir. who, with deep devotion which no crcum-
stance can diminish or aba,e, with an ardent
zeal which no tyranny could cool, with blind
confidence which nelther time nor tide could ever
wear away WOuiu UoW tO Tue kOu Oi 'nS'T WUd-
try, and in their hearts exclaim, Fiat poienias
TIA" But l support the leading provisions Of
this bill tor reasons the very reverse of these
will repo., pow er IN the Pe,,hrnt, because I
can find no other chance at salvation for nv
country. | will no! IA deferred Irom the ad0p
tion of tins inrasure because il is recommended
by the F. esid-Ut. because such a reason a. the
Chairman has assigned IN iuces other, t. support
II. Whatever heautips the Chairman NAV dis
cover IN this part Of MS own argument, wha ever
foreign mis,iun NAV now glitter in the vista be-
fore them, see. and wish 10 see. no prospects of
political advancement for m,se,f, or an, Of nv
friends. arising gu, of the sudden re-, olu,ion in
Executive opiniuns. We have committed the
uupardoaabie sin against that being who appears
to be so prominent an object of the humble ado.
ration OF Others. and if political death be- the p-
nishment to be inf1is'ed on US for our transgres-
sions. we will at least perish, h"pins nothing
from the smiles, and fearing nothing from the
frowns, Of Executive power.
Nor, sir, trust. will any man here, who has
ever Justly land claim to the honorable title of
National Republican. be deferred from the SUD.