Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-15
For the .4eraadria Gazette.
WASHINGTON, FEE

of most unusual character, which reflects the
highest credit upon that body, and IS the sure
prognostic, | trust, of the lasting and harmo
NOUS happiness of all portions OF the American
People. There was spirit manifested this day
which eYerv one, who loves the name OF Ameri-
can citizen, must rejoice TO know animates the
Senate: that spirit which gave birth to our slo-
rious Cons;itutioa-w filled the hearts OF our
fathers, and to which ,ce must be true, not less
than 10 the sterner virtues which nerved their bo
SONS, if the blessings Of that Constitution are to
be preserved unimpaired.
II was generally understood that Mr.. Clay
was 10 ask leave To introduce a bill, providing
for modification of the severa; acts imposing
duties on imports. At an early hour, the Senate
Chamber was crowded in every part. The gal
leries exhibited one dense mass, aud on the iloor
all the passages and vacant spaces within the bar
were filled by brilliant assemb!age OF "beau-
ty." No report and no description can give you
an adequate idea Of the dress and enthusiastic
feel,n. which pesvaded the numerous assembly,
or Of the manner Of the great trlumvirate Clay,
Webster aud Calhoun, arising as it did out Of
the subject, the occasion, and the peculiar reia-
lion, which each sustains, before the eyes of
their counrymen, to the questions which are
now agitathg US. Every one who has heard the
noble-hearted Orator Of the West must have been
struck with the perfect ease and simplicity with
which he gliiles into his subject. These traits
Of his style were particularly conspicuous to-
day when explaining his motives, and the prln-
ciples of the bill, aud were only less admirable
than his pathetic pictures Of the dreadful conse-
uucnces of a sudden prostralion Of the Protect
i've system. and the impassoned eloquence into
which lie expanded, when enforcing some useful
lessons Of political experience, and the sent.
ments of pure, lofty and comprehensive pa
triolism. | have often listened to Mr.. Clay,
and always VIII admiration of his large views,
his daring genius. his Delighted and instructive
eloauence; but never did my whole heart rush
towards him, ia when, with tone and look aud
gesture which shall never forget. he said"
tcaat harmony: I IRISH TO see The restoration
"of those lies :rRich hare carried US Triumph
aaiiy through FRO 'carS. Lei as haze pence!
{" find be once more united as band Of bro
"hersi' Every true American bosom espond-
ed To the sentiment; and l. hope there were few
in that Chamber who were not indignant at the
sarcasm with which Mr. Forsyth communicated
his reply. That such mean and malignant minds
as Benton and Hill should indulge in vulgar rer-
sonalities, is to be expected; but that Mr.. For
syt,, who is gentleman, and graceful aud po-
lished one, should 50 far furget his own charac-
ter, must be ascribed to the irritation he natu-
rally felt, at the prospect of great an object,
as the pacihcatpn of the South, being accom-.
pl,shed through the lnstrumentalily Of any one
save the Great Magician,
"whose humble secretary sole is hep
lie seemed to feel that it was sratuitous and an.
handsome; but it would have been manly to have
retracted the inputaton at once. and not. after
the severe rebuke from Mr. Sprague, resorted to
sOphistry. to shew that what every one felt to be
direct affront 10 Mr. CLAW, was meant as a com.
piment Ii it was really so intended,
"It was the most despitefal gentle greeting.
The noblest hateful love. mat e'er heard Of"
The opposition made to granting leave brought
several Senators on their legs, and among them
Mr. Poindexter and Mr.. Holmes, the former of
whom, in commenting on the constitutional OBJ
iectiUn started by Mr.. Forsyth. took the opportu-
nifty Of expressing his cordial drtestaiion of the
bill lately reported by the Committee on the
judiciary. 'Sir, il ough, to have been kicked
eh of the Senate, as soon as il showed its face
herew This was mt very regular; but the
gorge Of the honorable Senator seems tn rise
whenever he comes within smelling distance Of
tha, sovereign Panacea FOR the existing disorders
as he calls the Bill. Holmes excited some ra-
tier INDIGENOUS mirth, by declaring that he al.
most wished he had complied with the commands
of his peremptory constituents, and resigned his
from common courtesy was manifested by the
gentleman from Georgia. But the most interest
ing portion of the debate what dropped from
Calhoun aud Webster. The perfect stillness of
the audience when the former rose was exceed
ingly affecting: he himself caught the impress
sion-he had none of his usual volubi'ity aud
vehemence. and was evidently laboriug TO ex.
press the emotions which were struggling Tor ut.
terance. When he sat down, there was a clap.
ping OF hands, and every one looked into the
face OF his neishbor to read the joyful enthusiasm
which he himself felt. This little improperly
in giving applause, like the slight foam on the
crest OF the ocean wave, indt ated the vast depth
of the current below. II might we'll b- excused,
as giving grateful earnest how strung in the
minds Of the people is the sentiment of attach
ment to the Union. and how ready they are to
receive with open arms their brethren Of South
Carolina, if they will only abjure their errors,
and return TO their allegiance.
Yours, SC. g.
GON NJ oxx,a IA