Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-04-23
THE RESIGNATION OF MR.. CLAY.

Mr.. CLAY SAID mat ne arose Tor The purpose
of making notion but, before doing so, he
would beg leave to submit single observation in
relation to o subject which he should leave un.
finished; he meant the resolutions which he had
proposed amendments to the Constitution Of
the United States. lie had wished, prior 10 his
retirement from the Senate, to obtain an ex
preston Of its sense on these amendments; but,
owing to ll.health and the state Of the business
Of the body, and owing also to the absence OF
several Of his friends, he had thought it to be IN
necessary to call for such expression, or to
reply 10 the able arguments which had been
urged on the other side in opposition TO these
amendments. However, he would leave the sub.
ec, in the hands Of the Senate, 10 be disposed Of
as its members might think proper, and he would
remark that notwithstanding all that he had
heard, the opinions which he entertained when he
introduced these amendments remained IN
changed Aud now he hoped that he would be
allowed 10 announce, formally, his retirement
from the Senate Of the United States, and be
trusted that he would be pardoned for avaiIing
himself Of the occasion 10 make few observa,
lions with regard 10 himself He remarked that
he entered the Senate Of the United States in
1906, and at that time he regarded it, as he now
did, as a body which might be compared without
disadvantage, to any legislative body that ever
existed, either in ancient or modern times,
whether they looked to its dignity, its powers,
or TO the mode OF its constitution, and he would
r. Il. -: ,.ol
he would leave behind him on his retirement.
In comparison with the Chamber Of Peers Of
France and the House Of Peers Of England
he was sure il could be made without the least
disadvantage TO the American Senate; and with
respect to the constitution Of those bodies, their
members held their places in virtue Of no dele
gated authority, but derived their power by a.
creation Of the Crown, transmitted through a
course OF hereditary events, or the issuing OF new
patents; but here different state Of things ex
sted for Senators held the proud title Of repre-
sentatives OF sovereign States, Of Common
wealths. He had long been in the service OF
the United States, and he now desired to seek
that repose which was to be found only in the
bosom OF his family, in private life, and at his
home. 1t had been his purpose to terminate his
Senatorial career, in 1910, after the conclusion
of the struggle which characterized that year;
but having at that Time learned that an extra
session of Congress was to De called, and which
his subsequent reflections prompted him TO think
was inevitable, he felt DESTROYS, prior to his re-
tiremen TO cooperate with his friends and with
the Senate Of the United States, in restoring
the prosperity Of the country, by the adoption
Of the measures which, in their judgment, were
best calculated to accomplish the object; and
therefore he concluded TO attend the extra SEES
sion. 1t was called as was we'll known, by the
lamented Harrison. But he died, ard the success.
sion which took place produced a new aspect in
the public affairs Of the country. Had General
Harrison lived, he (Mr Clay did not entertain
a particle or doubt that every measure which ii
was hoped would shave been accomplished at
the extra session would have been successlul, !
by the cooperation Of the Executive branch
with the Legislative branch; and he hoped that
he might be allowed to say with respect, that
If there be any one who, free from party feelings
and party bias, would reflect with candor and
Justice, he would approach to the conclusion to
which he (Mr. Clay thought that the country
would come, that, if there was any thing to
complain Of in connection with the extra SEES
sion, il was not so much TO what was done, |
but what was left undone Had Harrison lived, |
and the measures which were so desirable been
carried out he would have resigned his seat; he
did not do so, because he INDUCED the hope, the
vain hope, that, at the regular session OF Con
gress, what had been left unaccomplshed at the
extra session would have been accomplished in
some OF the forms proposed, or that there would
be some equivalent but events soon after The
extra session, events resulting through failure
TO accomplish objects at the extra session, events
which seemed 10 throw on his friends every
where apparent defeat, induced him to attend at
the regular session, and, whether in adversely or
prosperity, TO share the fortunes OF his friends
Notwithstanding, he came here with the purpose
which he was now about 10 effectuate-o retire
as soon as he could, from the public councils
From 1906, the period OF his entering the Sen.
ste. down to the present time, with but short
intervals, he had been engaged in the service OF
his country. or the nature and value Of his
services, during that long career, it did not be-
come him to speak, but history, il it should