The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-07-23
l WASHINGTON CITY.
TUESDAY, JULYaa. 1880.
Mr.. Clay on Compromise.

The debate in the Senate yesterday was char
acterized by some extraordinary features. The
great leader of the Adjustment scheme, after a
labored effort to vndcate his views and his plan,
lost his temper i'll the closing scenes of the de-
bate. Indeed he introduced his speech with
some fierce illusions to the Southern Press, and
a pamphlet published some months since, enti-
tied "The Union, past and future; how it
works, and how to save it"--by citizen of
Virginia. The bitterness of his Introductory re-
marks gave a presage of the severity with
which it was his purpose to handle both men
and measures opposed to his views. The pro-
gress of the debate justified the anticipations
which had been raised by its commencement
The overbearing manner of the Senator from
Kentucky to those who did not concur with
him---his denunciation of those absent, whose in
dependent expression of opinions met with his
disapprobation and the manner (Which in any
other person would be called arrogant) with
which he menaced South Carolina with Ken
lucky troops-all disclosed the fact that he be-
longed to that class of men, whose notions Of
personal liberty and independence, preclude the
liberty and independence as well as patriotism
of all who do not submit in all things to their
dictation. 1t was not little amusing to hear
the aged statesman, whose ambition seems
never to have felt the refrigerating influence of
repeated disappointments in the vain anticipa-
ton of his influencing Kentucky, give utter
ance to such empty menaces. sa. aa@
He, whose letter to the Kentuckians in favor
Of Emancipation, only united them against the
measure--seems to have failed to learn that his
will was not the win of the voters of his State.
How empty is the threat, made by one who de-
cared in his place in the Senate, that he would
even resist Kentucky at the command Of the
Federal Government, if he thought Kentucky
wrong Who yesterday acknowledged that his
allegiance to the Federal Government was supe-
rior to his allegiance to Kentucky; and whilst
he sat in the Senate by her choice as a repre-
sentative of her sovereignty, succumbed to the
power of that Government which was a mere
trustee for Kentucky and the other States.
Who cajoled the North by declaring that
they gained everything by his bill, and threat
ened the South, who he said gained only a point
of honor, good claim to the lower Rio Grande,
and a fugitive slave bill. a'@ h'
If this be the great statesman, the great
pacifcator, the world has but crude concep-
tons of either. The South will not take
lessons of honor from one who denoun-
ces her favorite sons as traitors-nor lessons
Of policy as to her interest in her institu-
tons from an open and avowed Emancipator,
and no less open and avowed Free-soiler. His
letter to the voters Of Kentucky in anticipation
of convention, proves him an Emancipation;
and his letter to the Cleveland Convention
! fixes him as Free-soiler ]
We reserve more extended comments for the
appearance of the reported speech; its tone and
tenor could not possibly be mistaken.
The reply Of Mr.. BARNwELL to his unprovok.
ed assault on South Carolina, was equally dig.
nified and manly. #@
We shall lay it before our readers at the ear
liest moment. a@ nami