Southern pioneer, and Carroll, Choctaw and Tallahatchie Counties advertiser. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1840-1842, 1842-04-23
MR.. CLAY'S vALEDlCTORY.


Mr.. CLAY rose and said, before offering
the motion which it was his intention to SUBJ
nit TO the Senate, he desired to make a single
observation with regard to subject which he
was about 10 leave unfinished. He meant the
resolutions which he had submitted proposing
certain amendments TO the Constitution of the
United States. 1t had been his wish, prior 10
his retirement, to have obtained vote upon
these resolutions, and also TO have replied to
the arguments which had been advanced by
their opponents; but, owing TO the feeble state
Of his health, he had been unable to enter up
on reply, and, owing to the absence of sew
eral of his friends, he had come to the conclu-
sion that il would be better to commit the
subject into the hands of the Senate, 10 be
disposed of according to their Judgment and
discretion, whenever it might come up; and he
would dismiss this subject with simple re-
mark in reference to the conviction which he
entertained of the propriety of the different
amendments which he had suggested. Those
convictions he still deliberately entertained,
notwithstanding all that he had heard upon
the subject.
Ard now, continued Mr. Clay, allow me to
announce, formally and officially, my retire
ment from the Senate of the United States,
and TO present the last motion which shall
ever make within this body; but before making
that motion, trust | shall be pardoned for
availing myself of this occasion 10 make
few observations. At the time OF my entry
into this body, which took place in December,
1906, ] regarded it, and still regard it, as
body which may be compared without dlsad-
vantage to any of similar character which
has existed in ancient or modern times; wheth-
er we look at it in reference to its dignity, It's
powers, or the mode Of IFS constitution; and
will also add, whether il be regarded in refer
ence 10 the amount Of ability which shall
leave behind me when retire from this cham
Der. In instituting a comparison between the
Senate of the United States and similar polit-
ical institutions of other countries, of France
and England, for example, he was sure the
comparison might be made without disadVan-
tage 10 the American Senate. In respect TO
the constitution of these bodies: In England,
Y with only the exception of the Peers from Ire
land and Scotland, and in France with no ex-
ception, the component parts, the members OF
these bodies, hold their places by virtue of no
delegated authority, but derive their powers
from the crown either by ancient creation Of
nobility transmitted by force of hereditary
descent, or by new patents, as occasion requir-
ed an increase of their numbers. But here,
Mr.. President, we have the proud title of be-
ing the representatives of sovereign States or
Commonwealth. If we look at the powers
of these bodies in France and England, and
the powers Of this Senate, we shall find that
the latter are far greater than the former. In
both those countries they have the Legislative
power-in both, the judicial with some modi-
fcations, and in both perhaps more extern
sive pre-judicial power than is possessed by
this Senate; but then the vast and underlined
and unde6nable power, the treaty-making
power, or at least participation in the con-
clusions 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, is thai of dis
trIbuting the patronage of a great nation,
which is shared by this Senate with the Tx
ecutive magistrate. In both these respects
we stand upon ground different from that oc-
eupled by the House 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 ac-
eualntance with it, without arrogance or pre-
sumption, we may say, in proportion to its
numbers, the comparison would not be disad-