Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-01-25
From the philadelphia Inquirer
MIR. CLAY AND MIR. CALHOUN.
TRACT TO THE EDITOR, DATED
UaShington Ciiy, Jan. o, 1888

/ EXTRACT TO THE EDITOR, DATED
/. Washington City, Jan. o, 1898.
have Just returned f'Sm the Senate, and
have listened to q debate, which none of those
who heard il will ever forget. II was
measuring of swords between Mr.. Calhoun
and Mr. Clay-between the great Nuliher
and the Sage Of Ashand-and if ever there
was an occasion when the calm, but gallant
bearing of"iiarry Of the West" triumphed
over the passionate and violent course of the
Southern agtator, it was today. Ifever there
was time when pure, disinterested, straight
forward patriotism obtained complete VIC
tory over sophlstry and passion, it was today
in the Senate of the United States. The
discussion Of Mr.. Calhoun's fifth resolution
gave rise to this rencontre.
Mr.. Clay, after speech of great power
and eloquence, moved to strike out the whole
Of the resolution, and insert one which he Of
ferred.
! Mr.. Calhoun, taking urn bragg at this, said
that the Senator from Kentucky and himself
differed radicaliy-that the Senator from
kentuckj was always in favor of moderation
and concesson-he was always in favor Of
nnylelding determination.
Mr.. Clay replied, and said that he did differ
from the Senator from South Carolina, on
this subject, and he feared, every other sub
lJect. "The Senator from South Carolina and
myself set out in public life together-and
for many years coincided in sentiment more
than any two men in the nation. But, sir,
the expression of the opinion at the extra
session of Congress, by the Senator, that the
Bank of the United States was unconstitu-
tional, had severed the last remaining links
Which bound US to together. Sir, am in
t1vnr IN tIrn a,1 4 IL
wish to pursue the course of the Senator and
meet violent and intemperate language by
corresponding violence and intemperancc-I
] wish to preserve the principles Of the Con-
Istltulion. | have been taught, sir, by the
experience of my life, that the best way to
have my own rights respected, is to spect
the rights of others. 60, sir, for the Union,
ana VIII not initiate the Senator, and upon
every occasion, speak of disunion, and separa-
uon, and Southern confcderacy, until such
terms are becoming familiar to our cars; I,
sir, will be guilty of no such language towards
our sacred Union. What, sir would be
thought in private life, if husband, every
time his wife pouted or scolded talked of d.
Vorce dlsun!on, separation. He would be con-
sidered very unreasonable husband. Would
IT not be the more proper course, to soothe
and pacify, and apply the effective remedy ?,
Least, sir, OF all, do | wish this august body
TO indulge in any violence and | must say,
sir, IN justice, that the course Of the Senator
will do much to strengthen the power, and
increase the number Of the abolitionsts."
Mr.. Calhoun becoming much excited, spoke
win warmth. He stated that the Senator
from Kentucky and he had started in life to-
gether, and set upon the principles of 9S, as
embodied in the Virginia and Kentucky re-
solutions. 1t did not become him to say who
had changed mos!--he or the Senator from
Kentucky. If he had been an advocate of
the Bank Of the United States. and now was
opposed to it, he only had the Senator's ex-
ample for change. Ifhe (Mr. Calhoun) had
changed from bank man TO a no-bank man,
the Senator from Kentucky had changed from
a no-bank man to a bank man.
MIR. Calhoun spoke for some time in ex-
rlanation of bis change, and avowed his de-
termination never to yield the principles for
which he contended.
Mr.. Clay rejoined in a most eloquent man.
,ncr-"Sir, the Senator from South Carolina
has spoken of my change in regard to the
constitutional power of Congress to charter
a bank"
[Mr. Calhoun here rose, and stated that he
only said he could lind authority Tor his pre-
sent opinions, in the Senator from Kentucky;
he did not say he had changed.]
"Sir, replied Mr.. Clay, 81 haze changed-I
and as this subject has been advertcd to, /.
wish those who refer to this period of history,
to have the explanation. In 1911, voted
against the bank of the U. States, on account
of the want of constitutional power of Con-
gress, and other grounds. Sir, war came,
the banks suspended specie payments-theI
country was in an embarrassed state--the
currency was prostrated, and the people call
ed loudly for bank. Sir, changed because
experience had taught me the necessity of
reviewing my opinions, and sir, voted for the
bank in connection with the members from
Virginia. S. Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.
This is the only change which any one can
point out in my whole public ife-and it has
been a long and Sun arduous one. Can the
Senator from South Carolina say the same !?
lie and |, sir, set out with the principles of
'9S. Mine led me, sir, to the port of Union
of the country, one and indiuisibte. Where
did the gentlemans opinions lead him? Sir,
can, when the proper time arrives, be as
firm and as unyielding as he can but sir,
that period has not come, and we only in
crease the agitation of this subject, by the
adoption of the resolution he offers"
1t is impossible TO convey to you any idea
Of the deep and intense interest with which
Mr.. Clay was listened to. The Senate was
as still as death, and his clear bland voice fell
upon the ear in tones of melody and power.
Mover can forget the discussion of this af.
tcrnoon.
THE HOME SQuApRoS.-About a month
ago, Congress with great promptness passed
an act, authorizing the Secretary Of the Navy