The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-03-03
P q S r s C. X / P II.
Washington.
Correspondence Of the Herald
WARRINGTON. Marcel

portant Decision In the Supreme Court.
In the Senate, this morning, alter the presentation
OF petitions, and reports from committees, numerous
adverse reports on private claims were taken from
the table, and concurred in.
The bill to establish board of claims, to examine
claims against the United States came up in its or
der.
Mr.. WRrcHr remarked that it was bill of much
importance, and likely to lead to discussion He
therefore called for the special order of the day.
The orders of the day brought up the resolutions
offered by Mr. CLAY on the 18th ultmo, which were
published in the Herald OF the l7lh, and MIR. Clay
addressed the Senate for more than two hours and
half in their support. This is Mr.. Cays last "great
Speech" as each Of his efforts is successfully de-
scribed by his obsequious admirers. The Kentucky
senator is certainly remarkable man, and yet there
is great deal about him which, not to be profane,
may be called humbug. In the first place, he never
es.s his fame upon his permanent policy, but is al.
ways startling the public mind by some great ques-
ton or SYSTEM which is for the time his hobby, and
exclusive property.
His last demonstration is the "home league"
with which he hopes to catch the friends of what is
called domestic industry as if that time should be
confined to The labors of the loom and the spindle
toll in all the other more numerous departments Of
human exertion. The consequence is that while he
plesses one class, he offends or alarms their more
numerous competitors, and thus loses more than he
gains by these bats for popularity. This must ever
be the effect ofthose acts which address themselves
to classes and coteyes instead Of the patriotic
and comprehensive exertlons which seek to protect
and advance the interests Of all upon fair and mu-
tually advantageous terms.
Bot my object now, is not to discuss these ques
tings but to call attention to the little dramatic
pedients by which the great disappointed seeks to at
II ct attention. At sixty six he is as eager for ar
plause as child or a woman. No fading coquette
practices her toilette the arts which the Senator
employs to retain the favor of his wavering admir-
en. He IL like an actor who cannot perform to a
thin house. He speaks for the nation through the
galleries. Mr. Mafitt cannot be more solictous for
the appreciation of the fair, than this almost septa
genarian Senator who plays high fantastic tricks
upon the very brink ofihe grave. This ususl plan
Of letting it be known when he is going to speak,
is 10 rise ON Saturdayland move an adjournment,
SO that it may be buzzed about town, aad even
proclaimed in Baltimore that he is to speak on
Monday. Another plan is to employ certain ac
tive old ladies to circulate the important intclli
gence through all the saloons Of fashion, while the
obsequious politicians spread the momeatous news
in the taverns and boarding houses. Again, the
merous letter writers are put in motion, and they
disperse the intelligence to the four quarters Of
the heavens. That the Kentucky Senator 10 about
to make some mysterious movement, and save the
country for the fortieth time. Not long since
gular notice appeared in one of the Philadelphia
AZ
on particular day.. and cntreating the good cti-
Gems not to fail to take advantage of the railroad
cars to enjoy 20 rich treat The day before the
Senator Is to speak, number Of strange Eases are
always to be seen at the hotels, who have come all
the way from the neighborng cities to hear an ef
fort whichithey have made mp their minds before
hand to admire.
Yesterday, Mr.. Clay seemed to be in great anxi-
day, and thus disappoint the audience which had
been drummed up for the occasion.
Iii pity the Kentucky Senator could not print
his face, his voice and his action, A. well as his
words, which are fat without these acconpani.
msnts. In one rWpect his elsquence is demosths-
man. for it consists almost entirely Of action Peo-
pie who hear him with admiration, are astonished
At the emptiness of bis printed speeches. No dis
tinguished man will leave go little behind him.
Read ell that he has recorded and is Astonishing
how little it contains. Mr.. Clay's elequence dies
with the echo. The fact is that with all his talents
he has not logical, we'll balanced miad, and it has
not been improved by study. No public Iman has
read little, or is so ignorant of history and poll
tical science. The proofs which might be cited are
ludicrous. A few years ago he talked
about the Chancellor of the Exchequer in England
" throwing up the seals" confeunding him with the
Lord High Chancellor. OF English history he has
read comparatively nothing, and the most familiar
British classics are a sealed book to him. In ap-
plying the phrase from Shakespeare, on one oces-
sion, he said
"Our withes yet ,1'sfrxng"
and laughed quite. heartily when he was cor
rected.
Mr.. Clay 10 a magnificent political actor, and
when he leaves the STAGE il is said he is about to
do, q long time will elapse before another perfor
ner accomplished will appear upon the metropo.
Titan boards.
question of vital importance was settled in the
Supreme Court to day, no less than the unconstitu-
tionay of the laws of the free States, by which u
gitive slaves secured the right Of trial by jury
The Judges were unanimous in the opinion that
all such laws are unconstitutional and void, though
the decision was Of couse confined TO the case un-
der consideration. Mr. Justice Story delivered the
opinion Of the majority of the Court in elaborate
and very ably argued paper. Chief Justice fancy
dissented from the majority on some points, and de-
livered a separate opinion, in which Judge Daniel
concurred Judge M,Lean differed with the ma
jonty in other points, and read separate opinion;
and Judge Baldwin gave a brief statement of the
grounds On which he differed from the other men,
bers Of the Court. But, Notwithstanding this dis
erepance Of opinion on minor points, there was NO
disagreement as to the result. The entire Court
came to the same conclusion.
The case, upon which the principle has been set
tied, was brought before this Court from the Su-
A ~,CM