Litchfield enquirer., 1838-02-01
MR. CLAY AND MR. CALHOUN. I
WAsHlNeroN, Jan. g, 1888

MIR. CLAY AND MR. CALHOUN.
 WAsHINcToN, Jan. 9, 1888.
 I have iust returned from the Senate, and have lisiened to debate. which none oftho who heard it will ever forget. II wasamea- surfing of swords between Mir. Calhoun and Mr. CIay--between the great Nuliifier and the Sage of Ashland--and if ever there was m occasion when the calm, but gallant bear- ing of :. Harry of the West" tfiumphed over the passionate and violent course of the Southern agitator, 1t was today. It ever there was time when pure, disinlerested, straight forward patriotism obtained a com plete victory over sophistry and passion, it was today in the Senate ofthe United States. The discussion of Mir. Calhoun's fifth rcsolu- tion gave rise to this rencontre.
 Mir. Clay, afler speech of great power and eloquence, moved to strike out the whole of the resolution, and insert one which he of- fered. ..,
 MT. Calhoun, taking umbrage at this, said that the Senator from Kentucky and himself differed radicauy-thal the Senator from Ken lucky was always in favor of moderation and concession-he was always in favor of un- yielding determination.
 MT. Clay replied, and said that he did dit- fe: from the Senator from South Carolina, on this subject, and he feared, every other subject. "The Senator from South Caroli- na 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 together. Sir, I am in favor ofmoderation and concession :; do not wish to pursue the course of the Senator, and meet
 
 bonding violence and intemperance-I wish have been taught, sir, by the experience of my life, that the best way to have my own rights respected, is to respect the rights of others. Igo, sir, for the Union, and will not imltate the Senator, and upon every occasion, speak of disunion, and separation, and Southern confcderacy, until such terms arc becoming familiar to our cars ], sir, will be guilty of no such language towards our sa- cred Union. What, sir. would be thought in private life, if husband, every time his wife pouted or scolded, would talk of divorce, dis union, separation. He would be considered avery unreasonable husband. Would it not be the more proper course, to soothe and pa cify, and apply the effective remedy? Least, sir, of all, do wish this august body to n- dulge in any violence; and must say, sir, in justice, that the course of the Senator will do much to strengthen the power, and in- crease the number of the abolitionists." tn MT. Calhoun becoming much excited, spoke with warmth. He stated that the Sen- ator from Kentucky and he had started in Jifetogether, and set out upon the principles of '96, as embodied in the Virginia and Ken lucky resolutions. It did not become him to say who had changed most-he or the Sena- tor from Kentucky. he had been an ad- yvocate ofthe Bank of the United States, and now was opposed to it, he only had the Sena- .tor's example for change. If he (Mr. Cal houn) had changed from bank man to a mo- bank man., tue Senator from Kentucky had changed from no-bank man to bank man. ~ Mir. Calhoun spoke for some time in expla- nation of his change, and avowed his deter imitation never to yield the principles for which he contended.
 sM Mir. Clay rejoined in most eloquent man. ner--" Sir, the Senator from South Carolina has spoken of my change in regard to the constitutional power of Congress to charter bank"
 MT. Calhoun here rose, and stated that he only said he could find authority for his pres- ent opinions, in the Senator from Kentucky 1; he did not say he had changed.l
 ," Sir" replied MT. Clay, q hare changed and as this subject has been adverted to, wish those who refer to this period of history, to have the explanation. In 1871, voted against the bank of the U. States. on account of the want of constitutional power of Con- gress, and other grounds. ST, war came, the banks suspended specie payments-the country was in an embarrassed statc-the currency was prostrated, and the people cal led loudly for Q bank. Sir, changed be- cause experience had taught me the necess. ty ofrcviewing my opinions, and sir, I voted for the bank in connection with the members from Virginia. s. Carolina, Georgia and Al. abama. This is the only change which any one can point out in my whole public life- and 1t has been long and arduous one-- Can the Senator from South Carolina say the same? He and l, sir, set out with the prin- ciples of '0S. Mine led me, sir. to the port of Unton-of the country, one and indiriSible.- Where did the gentlenhan's opinions lead him! Sir, can, when the proper time ar. yives, be as firm and as unyielding as he can: but sir, that period has not come, and we on. Iy increase the agitation of this subject, bv the adoption ofthe resolution he offers"
 It is impossible to convey to you any idea of the deep and intense interest with which Mir. 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 DOW CT. Never can forget the discussion of this afternoon.-P Philadelphia Inqxirer.
 THE RIGHT OF PETITION.
 Forty years ago, when Congress sat in Philadelphia, petitions were sent in for the abolition of the slave trade and of slavery. just as they arc now, for the abolition of slavery in tho District of Columbia. Obiec. ticns were made then as they are now. to r..