Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1840-02-01
Correspondence Of tie Baltimore Patriot
WAsHNGToN, Jan. 3, 1910.

Correspondence Of tie Baltimore Patriot.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 1910.
Most interesting debate in the Senate
Mr. Clay and 1fr. Calhoun-1Ir. Cal
hOun's public declaration Of alliance
with the sP0iisHaeH.
The Senate chamber. to-day, was the
Scene Of the first great debate that has
taken place in congress this session
There was an encounter between Mr..
Clay and Mr.. Calhoun, IN which the lat
ter was most completely beaten, van
pushed, and humbled, in the estimation
of all honorable men who Witnessed his
miserable, ineffective attempt at eXpIa-
nation and defence.
The discussion arose thus: The bill,
introduced by Mr.. Calhoun some days
since, TO cede the public lands to the
States in which they lie, on certain con
ditions, had been referred 10 the Com
mittee on Public Lands To day, Mr.
Clay took occasion to express his regret
that, in consequence OF indsposition, he
was not present when the bill was refer
red, as ne wished TO make some sugges-
tions TO the commitment.
Mr.. Souihard moved to reconsider the
vote on the reference, for the purpose OF.
enabling Mr.. Clay 10 mike his remarks.
Mr.. Calhoun expressed in rather q PEE
iulanf tone his annoyance at the motion.
He ielt, doubtless, that il interfered with
ministerial arrangements to which be
had become a party.
Mr.. Clay urged the motion to reconsi-
der. He said the bill was neither more
nor less than proposition 10 gre the
patrimony of the United States TO the
new States; and this measure was 10
be referred to a committee, four on Of
FIVE Of whom are from States WHICH are
10 be made recipients Of this munIficeni
donation!
In the course of his remarks. Mr.
Clay asked whether this was an execa-
tive measure? or whether, III regard to
it, the administration was neutral and
uncommirted? He said he would not
have put this query, had not rumor spo
ken of certain friendly and confidential
relations between the Senator from South
Carolina and the President, and had not
this bill followed close upon the an
nouncement OF those amicable relations.
These illusions threw Mr.. Calhoun
into perfect passion; and after seve-
raj fourishes about the indecorum of any
inquiry into his private relations with
the President, and Of his still being
friend TO State Rights, he began 70 argue
that the fact of so many members from
the new States being on that committee,
was one of the strongest reasons why I'll
should be sent thither.
Mr. Clay in reply, repeated his wish
that the bill should be referred to some
committee composed of members from
the old as wei as the new States In al
lusion, also, TO his former remarks, he in
sisted that it was OF importance 10 know
whether the measure had the sanction
or countenanee Of the administration
whether, in fact, il was an executive
measure.-Rumor did MOI limit the union
between the execute and South Carolina
Senator to pirate friendships merely
Mr.. Calhoun, in despair Of terrifying
himself, began an attack on the policy
and the measures of Mr. Clay from the
moment that statesman took a lead in
politics. He turned his enginerv, par
tculariy, against the compromise and
the American system.
Mr.. Clay defended his political course
with all his admirable powers OF argu-
ment and eloquence. ] viii refer 10
some of his passages hereafter. They
are worthy of particular note
s., With regard to the compromise bill, |
ne said most trul = and emphaticaIlv, that
10 man ought TO be more indebted to II |
man the Sc. ator from South Carolina. |
JohnsC. Calhoun. Had it not been for
that bill. the .honest nuIli6er" might not
nave been present and alive this day.
Mr., Calhoun again rejoined. and in the
worst possible temper and taste He
commenced with manifest perversion
oil Mr. Claws allusion 10 his indebted |
ness TO the compromise He represent
cd Mr.. Clay as saying that # any onel
should be thankful to him Mr. Ciay) Tor
that compromise. it was Mr. Calhoun.
Mr. Clay cried out across the chamber
-"No, sir; not 10 me-indebsed TO the
compromise was my remark
Mr. Calhoun still went on, putting his
own version on the observation. lie
said he had no reason TO be thankful Tor
that compromise. Il forced it upon The
SENATOR continued he. in the boastiul
and ridiculousiy egotistical manner he
ever exhibits-ssl was his master.s-
This effusion of vanity and sellgiorifi-l
cation was so absurd. that several OF the
Senator'S on the side 10 which he has
gone orer smiled, while Mr.. Clay himseif-
and Mr.. Preston, and Mr.. Southard and
Mr.. Criitendeu, and several others onl
the opposite side Of the chamber Taught