The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-04-02
PO S r S c. RI P r il.
Washington.
Correspondence Of the Herald
WAsmsGroN, March 81, lSi2.
MIR. CIay's VulcdlctOry.

cal life has been performed and his place in the Sc
nate is already filled by Mr. Crittenden. II had been
industriousy circulated in every part OF the cry
that Mr., Clay was deliver his vaedlcory to-day;
and before the hour when the people OF Wash'cs'
ton usually finish their cote, ladies, IN great nun
bers, old and young on their way 10 the OdpF
toll The Senate is not called TO order until twelve
O'clock bu, before ten the galleries were crowded,
nr,ncio,ly with fashiona,l dressed and elegant
lacking women They were all aware that two lie
d;ou, hours must elapse before anything OF interes,
would take place in the Hall below, and many had
brougbt books and papers 10 assist in passing the
time.
The nsrnng business was of little public import
ance being principally of private nature. AT half
past one MIR. Clay and said before offering the
motion which it was his intention to submit to the
Senate he desired to make single observation ith
regard TO a subject which he was about to leave
unfinished-he meant the resolutions which he had
submitted, proposing certain amendments TO the
Constitution of the United States. II had been his
wish, prior TO his retirement, 10 have obtained
vote uoon these resolutions, and also to have replied
to the argum which had been advanced by their
opponents; but owing to the feeble state of his
health, he had been unable to enter upon reply,
and owing 10 the absence OF several OF his friends
he had come to the conclusion that II would be bet
ter to commit the subject into the hands of the
Senate 10 be disposed OF according to their ludg-
men, and discretion whenever 1t might come up;
and he would dismiss this subject with simple
remark in reference to the conviction which he
entertained of the proprety of the different amend
ments which he had suggested; those convic-
lions he still deliberately entertained, notwith.
standing all that he had heard upon the subject =
And now, continued Mr.. Clay, allow me to an.
nounce formally and officially, my retirement from
the Senate of the United States, and 10 present the
last motion which shall ever make within this body
but, before making that notion trust shall be
pardoned for avalling myself OF this occasion to
make few observations. AT the time OF my entry
into this body, which took place In December, 1906
Regarded it, and still regard it, body which
may be compared, without disadvantage, to any of
similar character which has existed IN ancient or
modern times; whether we look at 1t in reference
te Its dignity It's powers, or the mode OF its cOnsi
tuition; and will also add, whether it be regarded
reference TO the amount of ability which | shall
,eave behind me when retire from this chamber.
In lnstItuting comparison between the Senate of
the United States and similar political institutions
OF other countries; OF France and England for ex
ample, he was sure the comparison might be made
without disadvantage to the American Senate. In
respect TO the constitution ct these bodies in Eng
land, with only the exception of the peers from Ire
land and Scotland and in France with exc option,
the component parts, the members of these bodies,
hold their places by virtue Of no delegated authori
ty, bu. derive their powers from the crown,
either by ancient creation OF nobility transmit
ted by force of hereditary descent, or by new pa
tients occasion required increase Of their
numbers. But here, MIR. President, we have the
proud title of being the representatives of sove-
reign States or Commonwealth. II we look at
the powers of these bodies in France and England,
and b p wers OF this Senate, we shall find that the
latter far greater than the former In both those
countries they have the legislative power in both
the judicial with some notifications and in both
ria
is possessed by this Senate; but then the vast and
underlined and uhdeniable power, the itreaty ma.
king power, or at least participation in the con-
illusions OF treaties with foreign powers is possessed
by this Senate, and is possessed by neither of the
Others. Another power too, and one of infinite
magnitude that of distributing the patronage Of a
great nation which is shared by this Senate with
the Executive magistrate; In both these respects
stand upon ground different from that occusied
by the House of Peers of England and of France =
And lrepeat that with respect to the dignity which
ordinarily prevails in this body, aud with respect to
the ability of It's members during the long period of
my acquaintance with 1t, without gance or pre-.
sumption, we may say, IN proportion to it's numbers,
the comparison wenld not be disadvantageous to US
compared with any Senate either of ancient or mo-
dern times. Sir, have long-tull of attraction as
public service in the Senate of the United States is
"a service which might fill the aspirations of the
most ambitious heart-l have nevertheless long
desired TO seek that respose which is only to be
found in the bosom of ones lily in yprvave life
in ones home II was my purpose 10 have ter
November,
after the conclusion of the political struggle which |
characterised thai year. But learned very soon
what my own reflections indeed prompted me to |
suppose would take place. that there would be an |
extra session and being DESTROYS, prior to my re-
trement, TO cooperate with my friends in the Sc.
nate in restoring, by the adoption of measures |
best calculated 10 accomplish that purpose, that |
degree OF prosperity TO The country, which had |
been, for time, destroyed, determined upon |
attending the Extra Session, which called, |
Is well knewn by the amented Harrison
His death, and the succession which took place |
in consequence OF it, produced a new aspect in |
not entertain particle OF doubt that those mea-
which, it was hoped, might be accom- |
plished at that session, woad have been con- |
summa,ed by candid cooperation between the |
Executive branch of the Government and Con-
gress and, sir, allow me TO say, (and il is only |
with respect 10 the extra SESSION. that believe |
II there be any one tree from party feelings, who
Will look at It's transactions IN spirit OF can
dor and oi justice, but mus, come TO the conclusion
TO which, think, the country generally will come,
that if there be any thing TO complain OF in con-
necton with that session, 1t is not as TO what was
done and concluded, but as TO that which was left
unfnished]and unaccompshed. Alerthe termna.
ton of that session, had HARRISON lived, and had the
measures which II appeared TO me 1t was desirable |
10 have accomplished, been carried, il was my In |
tention TO have retired but reconsldered the de.
termination with the vain hope that, at the regular |
session of Congress, what had been unaccomplished |
al the extra session, might then be effected, either
upon the terms proposed or in some manner which |
would be equivalent. But events were announced
after the extra sessson-events resulting, beheve
in the failure 10 accomplish certain objects al the
extra session-events which seemed TO throw upon
our friends every where present deleat-this hope,
aud the occurrenc OF these events, induced me to
attend the regular session. and whether in adversely
or in prosperity, to share in the fortunes OF my
friends But came here with the purpose, which
I am now about to efectuate, of retiring as soon as
thought could retire with proprlety and decency
from the public councils. From the year 1906, the
peJ-d OF my entering upon this noble theatre OF my
public service, with but short Intervals down To The
present tmdl have been engagedn,h service of my
country. OF the nature aud value of these services
L