Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-04-11
RETIREMENT OF MIR. CLAY.


afforded him, observation different subject
1t would be remembered that he had offered former day
Constitution of the UGed states tey had undergone some
discussion and he had been DESTROYS of obtaining
OF the of the Senate upon their adoption but owing the
nfm state of his hcal to the of business n the Son
and especially to the absence at this moment of several of
his friends he had concluded this to be unnecessarily should
he deem himself called reply the Arguments of such
gentlemen as had considered their duty TO oppose the rcsou
tons lie should commit the subject therefore, to the hands of
the Senate, be disposed Of their Judgment should dictate
mark that the convictions he had before entertained in regard
the several amendments he still deliberately held after all that
he had heard upon the subjects OF them.
Andnow said Mr.. c. allow me to announce, formally and Off
chilly retirement from the Senate o. the United States, and
present the last motion shah make to this body But!
before make that motion, trust shall he pardoncd if avail
myself of the occasion make few observations which
suggested to my mind by the present occasion. o
regarded that body then, and still contemplate it, body
which may compare without disadvantage with any legislative
its dignity ths extent and Importance of its the ab
its constitution. If compared of these respects with the
sonate either of France OF Engand that OF the United States
sution of those bodies may observe that in the House
Peers England with the exceptions but of Ireland and of Scot
andand in that of France with exception whaeyer-the
members hold their places under delegated authority but de-
expressed patents of nobility while here have the
proud title of Representatives of sovereign States, distinct
and Independent Commonwealth.
If look again the exercised by the senates of
France and England and by the Senate OF the United States we
all the members possess the legislative power In the foreign
enate in this the Judicial power invested although there
exists TO greater degree man mere But on inc ote h9nd
that vast underlined and undesirable power involved the right
of treaties, enjoyed in all its magnitude and weight by this
BODY while Sy III of
ing with the Executive branch in distributing the vast patronage
Government In both these latter respects stand
different from the House of Peers either England
France. And then to the dignity and decorum ois proceed
and ordinarily the ability OF its menbeIs can with
truth declare that during the whole long period oil my
knowledge of this Senate without arrogance esump
on sustain no dsadvantageous comparison with any pupc Do
in ancient modern times.
Full of attraction, however, as seat in this Senate is sui
cient ill the aspirations of the ambitious heart
hae long determined orego it, and seek that which
In Ot
calm pleasures which belong to that beloved word, home"
in November lsO memorable and glorious political
struggle which distinguished that but learned soon AFTER
my reflections that session of Congress would be
called and felt DESTROYS to cooperate with my political and
personal friends in restoring if it could be effected the prosper
W of the country by the best measures which their united co9n
sells might be able devise aud therefore attended the extra
session was called as all know by the iamented Harrison
but his death and the accession of his pro-
have not particle Of doubt that every important
which the country had hoped with so confident an
would have been consummated by the cooperation OF the Exec
utve branch of the Government And here allow me
gress that believe any who through the influence
of party spirit the bias Of political prejudice, have loudly
cenured the then adopted will look at them in the
spirit of cando and justice their conclusion and that Of the
country generally will be that If there exists any Just ground OF
complaint Is to be found not in what was done, but IN what
that session been fully carried OUT my intention then
have resigned seat But the hope q feared might
had LEFT undone might then be perfected the object
obtained in equivalent FORM induced the de-
termination and which after the session,
sulng from the failure of those measures which had been
posed session. which appeared throw po
ical friends temporary show OF defeat, confirmed the
resolution attend the present session ALSO and whether in
prosperity adversely to share the fortune OF my friends But
resoved at the same time to retire us soon as could do so with
proprety and decency
From 1906 period my entering noble theatre,
with short intervals the present time, have been engaged in
value of the services rendered during that long and aduous
Rod of my life does become to speak, history, she
humble actions shall be transmitted Postery are the best the
aud refer myself My acts and public conduct are fair subject
tho Judgment OF my ielowmen but the private
by which they have been prompted known only to
great seaohor the human heart and myef and trust
may be padoned for repeating declaration made some hr
years that whatever eroand doubtless there have
Divine AbeT for the truth of the declaration that have been
sought personal aggandzemont but that all my public
acts have had sole and single eye, and warm and devoted
heart directed aud dedicated to whatn judgment believed
be the true olees, OF ny county mt .Oo0,d tho
of other public men, failed incur and decton Of
the beres most uneentmg, and most malignant character
and though not always nsenbo to the pain meant to
c have borne in general with and without dis
n ne1 wS S nave GoS on
Justice and of TRUTH and the entire that ,mo would
wrong injustice might experience hands Of man, He
to whom open fully Known would in the end,
nv the dspensations of His providence, ooy all
eo all wrong, and ample Justice to be DONE
But | have meanwhile been unsustaaed Every where
armhoaed devoted friends who have knowN and Just
bid of fully expressing my acknowledgements, would
offer them as all the have make for their
inc perseverng fidelity and devoted attach
mon fail in suitable language TO express my gratitude
them for all the kindness they have shown me-was SnSI
say-hat at all commensurate with those feelings o.
gratitude which the State whose humble representative
and servant have been in this Chambor Here Mr. ca feel
nys appeared him. and he proceeded with deep
Sonsbty and with difficult utteraneo, -
emgrated from Virginia to the State OF Kentucky now near
~ forty five went orphan who hnd not ye az
tanned the age Of maotywho had never recognized ane
smile felt his the itVoi
Of greawh imperfect and inadequate education, Inn
tied the ordinary business and common pursuits Of lie ou
and embraced with parental fondness cae;sed s though
had been avoe child and paronzed with liberal and un
bounded munfcence. From that period the highest houo OF
the have boon freely bestowed and aewaTd 10
the hour of caumny detTacon, when seemed "a
orsaken by all the Of the world she threw her broad and
shield around me, and heRrng up ao 10 her
courageous arms repealed the poisoned sha that were aimee
my desucon and vndcaod good name from every aiSe
and unfounded assault.
But the ingenuity of my asaians never exhausted and
have subjected myself ePthet, which do MOI
know whether should be taken in honor deogaon m ned
to the country Dictator dictator! The idea OF dicta
torshp drawn from Roman institutions and the tune he 9
fee was created the who welded the tremendous weg
authoTy coneHed concentrated in his own person an 40
soute power tho lives and property OF all his
he could could build no couf