The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-04-09
Y A l. Z D | c I 0 r Y
CD u VI Es. O. l. a Y.

AIR. CLAY rose ana SAID, before Oller-
ing the motion which It was his intention
to submit to the Senate, he dlsired TO make
Il single observation with regard to sub
| iecI which he was ID bout to leave un-
inished-he meant the resolutions which
he had submitted, proposing certain a.
mendments to the Constitution of the
United States. |, had been his ish, prior
to his retirement, to have Obtained vote
upon these resolutions, and also to have
replied to the arguments which have been
advanced by their opponerls; 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, ! e ad come to the conclusion
that it would be better TO commit the sub
iect into the hands of the Senate, to be
disposed of according to their judgment
and discretion whenever it might come
up; and he would dismiss this subject with
a simple remark in r, ference lolhe convlc-
ton which he entertained of the rroprlety
Of the different amendments whlchhe had
suggested, those convictions he still DELHI
erateIy entertained, Notwithstanding all
that had been heard upon the subject.
And now continued Mr.. CLAY, allow
me to announce, formally and officially,
my retirement from The Senate of the
United States, and to present the last mo-
ton which shall ever make within this
body; but before making that motion, |
trust shall be pardoned for availlg my
self of this occasion to make IA few ohser-
vations. At the time of my entry into this
body, which took plac; in December,
1906, regarded it, and still regard 1t, as "A
body which may be compared, Without
disadvantage, to any OF a similar charac-
ter Which has existed in ancient or mod
ern times; whether we look at it in ri Ter
ence to It's dignity, lis powers, or the mode
OF It's CONSTITUTING; and ] will also add,
whether it be regarded in reference to the
amount Of ability which shall cave be-
hind me when retire from this chamber.
In instltutlng comparison between III"
Senate of the United States and similar
| political institutions, of other countries. OF
France and England for example, he was
sure the comparison might be made with
out disadvantage 10 the American Senate.
In respect to the constitution OF these bo-
dies: in Eng land, with only the exception
of the peers from Ireland and Scotland,
and in France with no exception, the
component parts, the members OF these
bodies, helt. their places by virtue OF no
delegated authority, but derive their pow
| ii, V
creation of mobility transmitted by force
of hereditary descent, or by new patents
as occasion required an increase of then
numbers. But here, Mr.. President, We
have the proud title OF being the represent
,a,ives of sovereign States or Common
wealhs. ii we look at the powers OF
these bodies in France and England, and
| he powers of this Senate, we shall find
| that the latter are far greater than the Tor
mer. In both those countries they have
the Legislative power, III both the JUDICIAL,
with some notifications, and il both per-
haps more extensive prejudIcial power
than is possessed by the Senate; but ,hen
| the vast and underlined and undelnablc
power, the treaty making power, or al
least participation in the conclusions OF
treaties with foreign powers, is possessed
by this Senate, and possessed by neither OF
the others.
Another power, too, and one of infinite
magnitude, that of distributing the pa,
tronage OF a great nation. which is shared
by this Senate with the Executive magis-
trale. In both these respects we stand
upon ground different from that occupied
by the Houses of Peers of England and Of
France. And repeat that with respect to
The dignity which ordinarily prevails in
this body, and with respect TO the ability
of its members during the long period OF
my acquaintance with it, without arro-
gance or presumption, we may say in pro-
portion to its numbers, the comparison
would not be Instantaneous to us COM
pared with any Senate either of ancient OF
modern times. Sir, have long-full OF
attraction as public service il the Senate
of the United States is-a service which
might fill the aspirations OF the most am
bilious heart have nevertheless long
desired to seek that repose which is only
to be found in the bosom of ones family
in private li(e-in ones home. II was
my purpose to have terminated my Sena-
torial career in November, 1910, after the
conclusion of the political struggle which
characterized that year. But ! learned
very soon, what my own reflections in
deed prompted me to suppose would taxi
| placr that there would he an eytra Cos
sion; and being DESTROYS, prior to my re.
lirement, to cooperate with my friends in
the Senate in restoring, by the adoption OF
measures best calculated to accomplish
that purpose, that degree of prosperity to
the country, which had been, for time
destroyed, determined upon attending the
extra session, which was called, as was