The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-04-12
H "A R E w ELL "A I'D lid Ee II y q
OF HENRY CLAY
70 Me lscnate Of Mo United sac


TO submit, the only occasion afforded him, an
observation two on different subject. IL
would be remembered that no had offered, on a
former day, resolutions going 10 propose Ger.
tain amendments in the Constitute OF the United
States they had undergone some discussion, and
he had been DESTROYS of obtaining an expression OF
tho sense Of the Senate upon their adoption; but
owing to the infrm Of his health, 10 tho pres
sure of business in the Senate and especially to the
absence at this moment of several OF his friends,
he had concluded this to be unnecessary; nor
should he deem himself called upon 10 reply 10 the
arguments Of such gentlemen as had considered IT
then duty 10 oppose the resolutions. He should
commit the subject, therefore, 10 the hands OF the
Senate to be disposed of as heir judgment should
dictate: concluding what he had 10 say in relation
TO them with the remark, that the convictions he
had be fore entertained in regard the several a.
mendments, he still deliberately held, after all
that he had heard upon the subjects Of them.
And now, said Mr. O., allow me TO announce,
formally and officially my retirement from the Sen
motion shall ever make in this body But,beiofe
/ make that motion, trust shall be pardoned If |
avail myself Of the occasion 10 make few obscr'
vations which are suggested to my mind by the
present occasion
/ entered the Senate Of the United States in Dec
1906. ] regarded that body then. and 81 i'll contem
plate it, as a body which may compare, without
disadvantage, with any Legislative assembly, either
OF ancient modern times, whether look 10 its
dignity the extent and importance Of its powers, or
the ability by which its individual members have
been distinguished its constitution. If com.
pared in auy of these respects, with the Scnates
either Of France or England, that of the United
States will sustain no derogation. With respect
to the mode of its constitution, of those bodies
may observe that in the House OF Peers in England
with the exceptions but OF ireland and Scotland
and in that Of France, with no exception whatev err
1.-The members bold thoir places under no delega-
ted authority, but derive them from the grant of
the Crown, transmitted by descent, expressed
in patents of nobility; while here we have the
nj 70 q
of distinct and independent Commonwealth.
If we look again 10 tho powers exercised by the
Sena,es of Fiance and England, and by the Senate
of the United States, we shall find that the aggTe.
gate OF power is much greater here. In all, the
members possess the legislative power. In the
foreign Senates, as in this, the judicial power is in
vested, although there it exists in larger degree
than here. But, the other hand, that vast, I'M
defined, and unde Unable power involved in the
right to cooperate with the Executive in the forma
lion and ratification of treaties, Is enjoyed IN all
It's magnitude and weight by this body, while 1t
is possessed by neither of theirs besides this, there
is another of very great practical mportance-that
of sharing with tho Executive branch in distribu
ting the vast patronage Of this Government. In
both these latter respects, we stand on grounds
different from the House of Peers either Of Eng
land or France. And then as 10 the dignity and
decoum Of its proceedings, and ordinarily 10
the ability of its members, can with great truth
| declare that, during the whole long period Of my
knowledge Of this Senate, it can without arrogance
or presumption, sustain no disadvanageous COM
parson with any public body in ancient or modern
times. .~ ,-
Full of attraction, however, as n sent in this
Senate is sufficient is 10 fill the aspirations Of
the most ambitious heart, have long determined
ia fiAraaa il and seek that repose which o
enjoyed only in the shades of private lille, and amid
| the calm pleasures which belong TO that beloved
word "home.'
1t was my pnrpose 10 terminate my connection
with this body in November, 1870, after the rlem :
orabe and glorious political struggle which distin
iicdt n bui 1 fier xyh
indeed had for some time anticipated from the
suit fmy own reflections that extra session OF
Congress would be called; and felt desirous TO
! CO. operate with my political and personal friends
in restoring ir it could be effected the prosperity
| of the country by The best measures which their
united counsels might be able 10 devise; and l
therefore attended the extra session. 1t called
as all know, by the Iamenied Harrison; but his
death and the consequent accession of his success
sor produced an entirely aspect of public af.
fairs. Had no lived, l have not one particle OF
doubt that every important measure for which the
country had hoped with so confident expecla-
ton wond have been consummaed by the co CD.
Grafton of the Executive branch of the Govern
ment And here allow me to say only, in regard
to that so much reproached extra session OF Con
gress, that believe If any OF those who, through
the influence of party spirit or the bias of political
| prejudice, have loudly censured the meaures then
adopted, will look at them spirit ofcandor and
generally, will be that there exists any ground OF
complaint, it is to be found not in what done,
| but in what was lett unfinished.
| Had President Harrison lived, and the meaures
devised at that session been fully carried out, il
was my intention then 10 have resigned my seat :
But the hope Il feared it might prove vain hope)
that at the regular session the measures which we
( had left undone might even then be perfected, or
the same object attained in equivalent form, in
duced me TO postpone the observation-disclosures events
which arose aitor the extra session, resulting from
the failure of those which had been pros
posed at that session,a which appeared to throw
on political friends temporary show OF defeat,
confirmed in the resolution to attend the present
session also and whether in prosperity adversely
| to share the fortune Of my friends. But resolved
at the same time TO retire as soon as could do so
with propriety and decency. s6
! From 1906, the period Of my entry on this noble
theatre, with short intervals, TO the present time,
have been engaged in the public councils, at home
| or abroad. Orthe nature the value OF services
| rendered during that, long and arduous period OF
my life, 1t does not become to speak; history
# she deigns to notice and poserty, if the
objection of my humble actions shall be transmit
ted to posterity, the best, the trues, and the
most impartial judges. When death has closed
the scene, their sentence will be pronounced, and
to that appeal and refer myself My acts and
public conduct are fair subject for the crit
and i,,1r nc .