Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-27
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
wAsn,sorcs CIR. Jan. e4,h,

u
To-day, the Resolutions submitted some tin,
since 10y MIR Clay and proposing sundry amend
men' IL de Constitution. came up in the Senate or
consideration, aud the distinguished champion Of
civil freedom appeared in their defence, in spetch
OF more than two hours in which he fully sustained
his rs>t reputation.
~ an eofly hour every avenue 90 the Senate
Chamber was thrunrcl, aud long before the hour Of
~, was imp s',ble to get within hearing Of tho
speakers voiceso great is the curiosity nl,y,vs IN
hear this un'valled orator and illustrou.
Nor Is 1t unnatural that crowds should thus aoek To
the Senate Chamber when MIR Clay is to speak
Tor IN my judgment, at least, he is even vet with.
Out n'al as an orator. There is a dignity in
his Style, gravity in his sentiment, n winning
impressveness IN his manner, and IA music in
ms voice, which have never known to npper-
tam to any other public speaker-and | have
heard almost all the great men who have fsu.
red in Congress for the las, twelve years. There is
an engaging, winning something in him, or his ora
tory, which can describe, but with which ali
will bc struck. There is a moral grandeur le.ibe
IN him, which the dullesi even read at a glance. and
perhaps, this is the OF his great power as an
orator In my mind nigh, think it the power Of
Clay from my boyhood up, bu, that know that the
same features in his character that have struck
my own attention, have, almost, invariably made
the same impression upon others, lar better Judges
OF merit thon myself Strange! that while to 50
many Of the wise and good Of the land the very
name OF Mr. Clay carries even magic with il. he
should he the subject Of rancorous hostility
with some. | DO rot know, however, that am no,
too fast in regarding it strange. man very pro.
minon; in the public eye. aud very distinguished
for his exalted merits is art, by of his very
elevated position, to bc regarded with envy and
jealousy Cy many OF those who feel themselves be
meath him, and know that they can ntver reach n
high distinction. Hence it Is, perhaps, that there
never was We, man peculiarly dlsng
public character, who did not come in for liberia
share OF vituperaon. This is particularly the cas-
in popular government, where dcmagoguos ne
cessariiy swarm. Aud, herein, no doubt, lies the
cause OF the virulont opposition Of some 10 Henry
Clay. His bright and ever. shining and illusriou
example IS a mirror that ever and anon reflects t,
themselves, and the world their own insignfc inc,
and noihinsncsS
Will not attempt even a synopsis of his argu-
mcnr. The country, hope, will, ere long, see it
monarchica feature Of the Constitution. lie Showed
clearly, the error under which the trainers Of IL,
Constitution admitted this anti republican principl,
into it, w: that the Executive would prove the
weaker department, and would require the veto "a
defend Itself from the encToochments Of the Other
branches Of the Government lie comLatted thi.
notion with unnihatine power, and sho led, by re
ference To eNperience-to facts undoubtei nnd con-
eusve-ihat the tendency ct usurpation has been
OF the Executive upon the other ordinate branch
e., and not Of them upon it. lie exhibited The
gradual assumption 10y the Executive of Lcgis'a;v,
power, Of its taking exclusive possession Of tho
Teaty-makirg and removing prerosatives which, he
said, belonged concutrenuy to the Senate and H.
ustrated his position by n multitude of facts " hci
might well make the friend of limited government
and civil liberty tremble left the Senate Cham
Der, myself, more impressed than ever OF the abso
lutte, indispensable necessity of tying down Execu
tive power Ivy additional restraints; and do no
entertain Doubt that the speedy anne ndmcni Of th
Constitution, in several important particulars, viii
be found the only preventive of civil commotion il
our country.
Mr. G. replied To the objection that the modifica.
ton of the veto power would weaken the slave
this point was one Of the most siatesmanlike an,
brilliant, and was enforced with magnificent burs
of eloquence worthy of the best day O his renown
Would that could give it--Lut room forbids
What would most strike you in tho tout snsen,bl
of the effort, WIS the lofty spirit of freedom thu
breathed throughout it, Surely no man on earth
more imbuei with the deep philosophy Of liberty
When listening to the manly generous efTusion q
the patriot and freeman, could rot keep out Of m
mind the characters OF Hampton and Sydney, an
the noble Wings Of Britain who so CALAMITY struc
gled against Prero.stve for popular rights; no
could |, on the other hand, after contemplating IN
ilustrious oXampe of this shining patriot and states
man, refrain from recurring, 10y contrast, TO tl
poor, miserable, selfish, deludcd creature, who no,
rules the destinies of the Union, aud hates with H.
very bitterness Of gall, the nobler one whom h
regards with rival eyes, and whose higher virtue
reflect his own pigmy dimensions for the contemr
Of the country The suhiec. is postponed to ,h
day week, when Mr. Buchanan will occupy the floor
There was considerable excitement in the Hons,
to-day, by the attempt of Mr. Adams to present
petition praying the dissolution OF the Union, une.
Congress would abolish slavery in the territories
The southern members had a meeting this evening
which stands adjourned to tomorrow at 10 oeloeb
The result you shall hear.
Tie Independent is keeping up y hot war upo
the President and makes Startling disclosures Of on
Conscientious President. II half hear IS true. tb
creature ought to be drummci from the Presdentia
mansion.
-.