Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-04-08
EIR PRESS
CON G R'ESS,
RETIREMENT OF MR. CLAY.

RETIREMENT OF Mr. CLAY.
,r L. the Senate on Thursday after some morsine
uals ofhis successor, MI. Crtienden. He advcr'ed
tos subject which he had brought before the Senate
ana which ne would leave unfinished, and begged
io1vo TO make few obvcrsations upon 1.-THE meant
his resolution concerning the Constitution II was
s WISH prior TO his retirement to obtain an express
son Of ne opinion Of the Senate upon those resolu
IONS. b9t owing t9 the state of his health, and the
absence OF his friends he had been unable call for
that expression. He left II in the hands of the Sem
ate, to be disposed Of as they pleased; but with the
single remark that after all he had heard in reply to
his views On that subject, he was still of the deibcr.
ate opinion that those views were correct.
tie ~puld now be allowed to announce formally
ms retirement from the Senate, and 10 make few
ebyersa'lon: In December 1906 he entered the
Senate of the United States At that time he re-.
cardec II, as he did now, ms comparing advantage
ousy with any similar lody of ancien, or modern
nnies,-wheihef considered with regard to power, to
o!gnlty ann ne would add, TO ability. In regard to
similar bodies England and in France it compared
without disadvantage, in all the respects. Its Con.
stt.,tDn gave higher powers ihan either of those
~ England with few exceptions, and in France with
places in virtue of no delegated authority Rnt VIC
have the proud title of delegates of sovereign States
of free commonwealth If we look ut the powers
n!the senate, we M that they are much greater than
those OF The Bru Senate Both have leg slalivc
rowcr' Their j dical power is higher than ours
bdt we have what they have not,-the vast uniefin-
e., anu lhdefinable 7reaty-makng power. We
share, ton, with the Executive in an influence over
ray, in the distribution Of the patronage of the gov.
Hrnment. ! repeat then, said Mr.. CLAY that with
7" pcct 10 dignity, 10 powers, and TO ability, NAV
say without arrogance, that this body compares ia
rorably with any other of ancient or modern, |
ini,h, sn,d Mr.. Clay, well feel | nv ambition graf
flied by belonging 10 such body. But have long
WISHED to seek retirement in the bosom of my family
IL was my purpose to reive after the political srlr
fle Of lSio But an extra session of Congress being
called, AMI being DESTROYS to cooperate with nv
friends in restoring the country to its wontcd pros.
psity ny sucn measures as seemed 10 us proper for
nat tnt, consented TO attend at the session. which
Tae called by the laincnied Harrison. His death
reduced ne" aspect of aff,rs in this conntry-
Had he lived, every contemplated measure for the
, t'ta'ion OF me public prosperity, would undoubt-
ION between the Executive and Legislative ,'cparr-
'ncnis Az TO the Extra Session. any one free from
rrHdl dice, looking at the proceedings with candor
nnd i.tice, would say that k there was nnythn- IN
"ompaln "f it was not what was DONE bur what
vas left undone, at the close of that Sc, sion.
VAR 80 had we'd, h tMr. Claw would have
I-tired at the end OF that Session. But in the VAN
measures IN which he had failed, and with the pur.
p,sc Of sharing the fortune Of my friends whether in
adversely or prosperity consented 10 come III ses
/ could with decency
From lS05 to the present time have been ENGAGED
II the service of the country. OF the nature and yol.
he OF the services which have rendered in nv lone
*.
subject may be allowed to speak. Nv acts arc the
~nfgnc OF public Judgment; but my private motives
Of action are known only to the great searcbrr of
h human hearts and to myself and ! appeal to the
DIVINE Searcher Of hearts for the truth of the dec.
iaration which | now make, with confidence and
pride, that IN NIL my actions have been actratcd nv
no personal moWes-,sough no personal ngcrantlizc.
n,en but with >inglencss of heart have Lahore far
what appeared to me the best interests of my com
srv
have often, Mr.. Presd n, sid Mr. C, been the OBJ
lcc' OF malice and deiracon. ! have borne T., not
always, perh1rs, with patience, hut W tliout disturb
ance-reflecilng that truth and jlsli'e mn finally
triumph, and that time would settle n | things. md
that M to wh'm all are responsible W, ud finally &C.
quit inc of these accusations.
Every where during these trials have enioyed
the benefit Of warm, enthusiastic and devoted r ends
who knew and appreciated my motives to whom if
! nad language to express my feelings world now
oifer my tina ks, for their lon- continued personal
kindness. But what hall s,y-THere Mr. Cay
paus I'd = overcome with evident emotion what can
l say IN expressing my gratitude ta the generous
State whose s.rvnn, am! Forty five years ago /
went 10 Kentucky VI went al orph nj ha meyer
Recognized father smiles. was poor, pennvless
~tbont the favor of the creat-and with nm n,pnr-
feci and inadequate education BIZ no sooner did !
EGt my foot on the generous soil of that Stale than I
was embraced with plern,l (ondness patronizod ca
rcssed and from that day 10 this, her CHI ices hon
ors, without solcl alton on my part, have been show
cred upon me. When stood a nndonrd -calumna-
ted-shn threw her ample shield before me- and
guarded me from the nttacks Of nv enemies. 1t is
pir, with unspcakabe pleasure thai am shortly TO re-
tire 20 her bosom, and fnaly-an al no distant dav
my last remains are 10 rcpose un Ter her generous
soil
Mr.. President, a recent title has been bestowed on
me-whcther IN rcproach or honor--of Dcttor--
After drawing contrast between the powers of a
Dictator OF ancient time and his own he sail # I
have been Dictator, l think /, mus, be admit cd
that my power has been stained with no blood and
sailed with NJ dlslonor; and that have Voluntarily
lad down my authority at shorter period than was
altnxypH IA in a linn.
Il to have desired the di.orlord exchanges of
ths country regulaed-to see the empty Golfers o!
ihe eas.ry r,ple ,ishedr7to extend relief to the
to curtail and limit the Executive ac,on-to preserve
the cr,!l of the country hy ample revenu,-if in
fine, desire 10 carry out every pledge which was
fairly made by my friends when struggling to acquire
power-if these cons ltute me Dictator then am
content TO bear tn, h lnIr odlum of the title
The ardor of temperament which has character lied
NV actions has M dou' s)met.me> lie me- n main
taning my "plnon and urging my measures, 10 Use
language disagreed lie to my associates in this body
II there be any here who entertn any feeling Of dis
satisftrtIon towards me this account, I now offer
10 them the mo ample apology. ! assure he Sen.
ate, and all, that leave them without n feeling of
dissatisfaction towards them any one of them
In retiring as now do from this body. leave it with
my ferven hope that the great o. iecls for which, il
vas Instituted may he accomplished i,s DELHI
eraOns may cvenatein the prosmril of our country
in the maintenance Of her honor abro,d-and
her interest at home. MrC alluded to the distress
es Of the country and casting reproaches on no one
on their account, he said they could not | laid nj
his door. After invoking the blessings of Heaven
the Senate Mr.. Clay closed, saying-Mr. Presi
dent and Messienrs Senator's bid YOU one aud all,
4 long, a last, an atiecliona,e Fare,rcU!
Mr.. Cri'tendens credentials were read, and he
was qualified.
Mr.. Preston then remarked on the impression
made on The minds Of all by what had passed. |,
would lie considered as an epoch in annals Sup.
posing the Senate had taste for further business
now, he would move an adjournment, which was
sgreed to.
The Senate then adjourned
Csnng Mr.. Claye address there were many wet
eyes. "We not all stocks and stones" 1t i.a
fact that many old Senators were melted Mr. Ben.
ton exhibited much emo,on NJ Calhoun lost no
time embrace Mr.. Clay and assure him of his per.
sonal affection and respect. Both, it is said were
moved 10 tears.-[N. Y. Jour. Com.
Washington, March 30.
Immediately after the reading Of the journal
this morning the House went into Committee of
the whole Oh the Loan Bill On motion of Mr..