Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-02-15
Correspondence Of Ii. N. Y. Express.
MIR CLAY AND ABOLITION

MIR CLAY AND ABOLITION
WASHINGTON, Fen. I'll promised you
in my letter Of last evening that ere long the
"piping-times Of peace" that had Characters
ed the deliberations Of Congress for the past
two or three weeks would pass away. Yes
terday was the end OF the calm, and to day
there has been speaking enough and excite
lnent enough to make up for all past deicien-
cies upon this point.
| A whispering went abroad through the
city, but not, believe, until this morning, or
late last evening, that Mr. Clay would to- day
present an Anti -Aboltionist memorial from
two or three hundred citizens Of the District
Of Columbia, and accompany il with full
expression of his opinions upon the subject
OF all the various matters connected with
Slavery, and the Abolition of Slavery.
This was enough to bring crowd to the
Senate Chamber, and long before the hour
OF meeting, this far-iamed forum OF eloquence
was crowded in every nook and corner with,
by far, the most brilliant and intelligent au.
dience, who have met in the Senate Chamber
at the present Session. Hundreds were
present in the galleries, occupying every
vacant spot far and near within hearing
distance, and as many as found an entrance
were turned away for want Of room--this
for the galleries. Upon the floor Of the
Senate Chamber every part was occupied,
and a quorum and more of the members OF
tho House we're stationed round about the
chair Of the Vice President No other man,
MIR. Webster, perhaps, excepted. could have
drawn together such collection OF people.
Mr. Clay's speech, am told, will reach
you as soon MS my letter. and shall not,
therefore, send you even q sketch OF its con.
tents. The speech discusses the Abolition
question in all iis forms. politically, NOR
ally, and constitntionally, in reference to the
doctrines Of the Immediatists and the Grad
ualisis. II goes 10 the root Of the whole mat.
ter, and discusses the question in all forms
in manner as clear and able as Mr. Clay
ever discussed any great public question
! The Abolltionisis will commend Mr.
/ Clay's plain, honest. straightforward decla.
ration Of faith and having done this, the ul-
ira portion of them will denounce his princi-
plies, in set and measured terms. He has
dealt with this class of Aboliionisis as sur
geon would operate upon severe and danger.
Gus wounds. For all his opinions he has
given his reasons. and towards none has he
used any language that can be deemed harsh
and offensive.
The speech has produced a great effect
here and with oil who heard it, Some Of
the Northern men think il goes TOO far, 9th.
ers that it cmbodies the principles ola grea,
statesman and noble patriot-anxious 10
unite the disjointed notions OF this Confeder.
acy by pacific measures, characterised by
fair-dealing and common justice to all par
ties. All give Mr.. Clay credit for the pun.
est intentions. and most men sincerely be.
lieve that his speech will do great public
good In the South il will receive general
welcome. and every Southern man who is
true 10 himself must be true to Mr. Clay
Mr.. Clay spoke for nearly two hours, and
was listened TO throughout with close atten.
lion by all All seemed interested in the
discussion. and no nearer left the hall with
out being deeply impressed with the magni
iude Of :he question which had been discus
sed
/, Perhaps the most excited man among the
thousand hearers was John Z. Calhoun
His eagle eyes rested continually upon the
Senator from KY. and his countenauce pour.
trayed the feelings OF man whose mind was
deeply agitated. Mr. Clay had but taken
his seat when The Carolina Senator arose to
address. All eyes were at once turned from
Mr. Clay 10 Mr.. Calhoun. who sits upon the
Administration side Of the Chamber. Mr.
Calhoun's manner and voice both betrayed
great feeling, and his language confirmed
confessions of his counienance.
This, he said, was proud day for the
Soulh-a victory Of the States Right Party
"a vindicalion Of Southern Rights and
Southern institutions. The South were
united MS one man, and the Abolilionisis
were overthrown and defeated. This day
he'd confirmed an opinion which he had Of
ten given utcrance 10, that mistaken notions
had gone abroad. both in the South and the
North, in regard 10 the institution of Slave
nv. He considered mixture of the two ra
ces as in the South the best state OF society
1t was this kind OF society he believed. W hich
had been the means Of preserving our liber
ties, This was mystery il was true, but il
was nevertheless true.
Mr.. Calhoun said no more, and the me-
mortal presented by Mr.. Clay was disposed
of by laying il upon the table with an order
An attempt was here made TO proceed to
the consideration Of other business, 1t wat
impossblc.--so great was the effect produced
by Mr. Clay's speech. The Senate adjourn
ed half past two.-two hours earlier thar
; usual. Yours.
InDoj f1nf and accountable Neirs-C Comma