Washington telegraph., 1850-03-06
REMARKS OF MR.. CLAY ON THE
COMPROMISE RESOLUTIONS.

REMARKS OF MR.. CLAY ON THE
COMPROMISE RESOLUTIONS.
Mr. Clay said he never rose to address
the Senate with more intense feeling than
on the present occasion. lie had wit
messed many seasons of great peril and
danger in the history of the country, but
he never before rose to address the Senate
| when there was such extreme solicitude,
fear and anxiety felt by the country in the
issue of the great events now transpiring.
He did not tl,nk it would be out of place
| to do that in the Senate which he had
never ceased to do in his own chamber
that is, to invoke the Supreme Arbitrator,
who holds in his hands the destinies of
nations, to calm the passions of men and
the violence of party; to allow reason to
resume her empire; and to bestow on
him His smiles of approval and the
strength and ability to perform the task
before him. He had witnessed other Pc
RODS when the events of the day caused
the greatest anxiety throughout the coun-
try; aud in all these, as well as the pres
ent, he had no doubt, were he to trace
the cause of the danger, peril and alarm
to its true source, he would find 1t party
spirit He appealed to Senators if this
were not true. Parties, in order to gain
triumph for themselves over their oppo-
nents, seized upon every subject that pre-
sented itself to make capital of, and to
increase their own numbers. Two Sem
ators had told them that both of the two
political parties of the country, at the
north, actuated by such spirit, had en-
deavored and were enIeavoring to outdo
each other to obtain the votes of a small
third party called Abolitionists, in order
to swell their respective numbers. Nor
was this confined to the people at large.
In the legislative halls of the country
the same party spirit overrides all other
considerations. The House of Represen-
tatives had spent one whole week in
fruitless attempt 10 elect doorkeeper.-
And what was the question which pre-
vented the election OF doorkeeper! 1t
was not the fitness or the qualifications
of the men; but the question was, wheth-
er the doorkeeper chosen belonged to
this or that party, or whether his views
and sentiments of political questions were
Of one or of another school. He did not
allude to this subject by way of repfoach-
ing any for what had been done, but by
way Of illustrating to what lengths and
extremes this parry spirit IS carried: and
he hoped that something would be done
to check it in its onward progress.
What vicissitudes we pass through in
this short career of life. Eight years ago
he took leave of the Senate as he thought
forever. And, if his own lncllnatlOns, his
own desires, hopes and anticipations to
be allowed TO enjoy the few remaining
years of life in the quiet scenes OF retired
life had been consulted, that would have
been his last appearance IN the Senate
But the Legislature of his State, unsolic-
tied by him, had thought proper to confer
upon him again the honor of being their
representative here and he did not feel
at liberty to refuse it. He came, howev-
er to the Senate to serve no party, nor
with any personal or private ends, now or
hereafter, to accomplish. And If there
was in the Senate, or out OF the Senate,
any man engaged in the race after high
honors or position, let that man rest as
sured that he would never be jostled by
him (Mr. c. inthat race. When his
term Of service in the Senate was ended
his mission in this life, so far as relates
to public affairs, would be closed and
closed forever.
1t was impossible for any candid OBJ
server of passing events not to see that
the spirit of party, aud the promotion and
elevation of particular individuals to high
places and distinction, were now the abb
sorhing principles of men. AT this time,
when the White House is in danger OF be-
ing wrapt in the flames of destruction and
ruin, men were engaged in talking a oout
who shall be its next occupant. When
an alarming crevasse has taken place, and
the waters of destruction are fast pouring
upon us, we are talking about who shall
rule over the country about to be mum
dated The whole subject that seemed
to attract the attention of men was party,
party, passion, passion, and intemperance
of spirit. Was this the way to save the
country from the impending danger!-
Within the Capitol there were twenty
furnaces all burning, and sending forth
the heat of passion and party spirit. A
few months ago there was peace III the
country, and every thing was quiet and
tranquil Now there was danger and
peril and even menaces against the Union.
He implored Senators to look at these
things; to quell the fires of passion now
raging, and to listen to the voice ofreason.
He did not suppose what he could say
would produce such an effect, but he
begged them to listen to the voice OF
their own reason, judgment and good
sense, as to what can be done tor the
good of the country.
To this object he had directed all his
efforts; with such view he had In
oil cca.iol