Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1842-04-12

iAS'hu NlIOh tHS SuUltCS OF tnem.
And now, said Mr. CLAY, allow me TO announce
formally and officially, my retirement from the
Senate of the United States, and to present the last
motion shall ever mako in this BODY. But be-
lore make that motion, trust shall be pardon
ed II l avail myself Of the occasion to make few
observations which are suggested to nv mind bv
the present occasion.
l entered the Senate of the United States in De-
cember, 1906. | regarded that body then, and
stlll contemplated as body which may compare,
without disadvantage, with any Legislative assem-
bly,, either OF ancient or modern times whether |
look to IT'S dignity the extent and importance of its
powers, or the ability by which its individual mem
6ers have been distinguished, or its constitution
Ii compared in any ofthese respects with the SEN
ates either of France or England that of the Uni.
ted States will sustain no derogaton. With re-
spect to the mode ofthe constitution. ofthose bodies
| may observe that in the House of Peers in Eng
land, with the exceptions but of Ireland and Scot
land-and in that of France with no exception
whatever-the members hold their places under
no delegated authority, but derive them from the
Grown, transmitted by descentor expressed in new
patents Of nobility; while here wehave the proud
title of Representatives of sovereign States, of dis
tlnct and independent Commonwealth
Ii we look again at the powers exercised bv the
Senates OF France and England and by the Sen
ate OF the United States, we shall find that the ag
gregate OF power is much greater here In all,
the members possess the Legislative power In the
foreign Senates as inthis, judicial power isinvest
ed, although here it exists in larger degree than
here But, on the other hand, that vast, undefn-
ed, and undhneable power involved in the right to
cooperate with the Executive in the formation and
ratification Of treaties is enioyed in all its maqn
tude and weight by this body, which is possessed
by neither oftheirs besides which there is anoth.
er OF great practical importance-that of sharing
with the Executive branch in distributing the vast
patronage Of this Government In both these lat
ter respects, we stand grounds different from the
House of Peers either of England or France
And then as to the dignity and decorum Off pro
ceedngs, and ordinarily as to the ability of its
members can with truth declare that. during the
whole long period of my knowledge of this Senate
II can, without arrogance or presumption sustain
no dlsadvantageous comparison with any public
body in ancient or modern times
Full of attraction, however as a seat in this
Senate is sufficient as it is to fill the aspirations of
the most ambitious heart have long determined to
iorego it, and to seek that repose which can be en-
Joyed only in the shades of private life, and amid
the calm pleasures which belong to that beloved
word "home"
1t was my purpose to terminate my connection
with this body in November, 1910, after the me.
morable and glorious political struggle which dis
hngushed that year but | learned, soon AFTER
what indeed had for some time anticipated from
the result OF my own reflections, that an extra ses-
slon of Congress would be called; and felt desi-
rous TO cooperate with my political and personal
friends in restoring, ifitcoud be effected the pros
perity Of the country, by the best measures which
their united counsels might be able to devise and
| therefore attended the extra session. 1t was cal
led, as all know, by the lamented Harrison but
ms death and the consequent accession of his sue
cessor produced an entirely new aspect of public
affairs Had he lived, have not one particle of
doubt that every important measure for which the
country had hoped with so confident an expcca-
ton would have been consumated by the cooper
alton of the Executive branch of the Government.
And here allow me to say, only, in regard to that
so much reproached extra session of Congress.
that believe if any of those who through the in.
uence ofparty spirit or the bias of political preu-
dice, have loudly cenesured the measures then a.
dopted, will look at them in a spirit of candor and
OF justice, their conclusion, and that of the country
generally, will be that if there exists any lust
ground of complaint, it is to be found not in what
was done, but in what was left unfinished
Had president Harrison lived, and the measures
devised at that session been fully carried out it
was my intention then to have resigned my seat
But, the hope Il feared it might prove vain hope)
that at the regular session the measures which we
the same subject attained in sn equivalent form,
induced me to postpone the determination and
events which arose after the extra session. resulting
from the failure of those measures which had been
proposed at that session, and which appeared to
throw on our political friends, a temporary show
ofdefeat, confirmed me in the resolution TO attend
the present session also, and, whether in prosperity
or adversely, to share the fortunes of my friends
But resolved at the same time to retire as soon as
l could do so with propriety and decency
From 1906 the period of my entry on this no.
bic theatre, with short intervals, to the present
time, have been engaged in the public counsels
at home and abroad. OF the nature or the value
ofthe services rendered during that long and ar
duous period of my life it does not become me to
speak, history, if she deigns to notice me, and pos
terity, if the recolections of my humble actions
shall be transmitted to posterity are the best the
truest, the most impartial Judges. When death
has closed the scene. their sentence will be pro.
nounced, and to that appeal and refer myself
My acts and public conduct are fair subject for
the criticism and judgment of my fellowmen
but the private motives by which they have been
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