The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-02-28

unnatural lie referred to his present position.
THIS has the last time he should eper appear again IN
the Halls CongTess-he had been aJt,sed on all SIDES
and had been broken dorn for declaring his opinions.
MIR. Clay, after replying in complimentary
manner to the sentiments expressed by the Sena-
tor from Michigan, turned to Mr. Clemens, and
good humoredly remarked that the Senator had
compared him and the honorable Senator from
Missouri TO the lion AMI the lamb he was fear
full he should not make very quiet lamb, and be
certainly had no ambition to be a lion laughter
on the floor and In the galleries and he would
inquire Of the Senator, which of the quadrupeds
he intended to compare him with
Mr. Clemens To the lion
Mr. Clay suggested to the honorable Senator,
Lord Bacon's maxim, to learn the facts before he
ventured upon an assertion He asked what evil
dence the honorable Senator had Of any scheme"
between himself and the Honorable Senator from
Missouri Had he right to speak Of the cir
cumstance that the honorable Senator had come
around to his seat and held private conversation
with him, and from that infer that combination
had been formed between them7
lie protested against members drawing any in
ferences or suspicious from the fact that other
members were seen comforting together, either
upon public or private matters In reference to
California, he said the only question now for
ton is republican or not
He had heard with great surprise an honorable
Senator declare that the South would, in case the
North pursued certain course, adopt such and
such measures, regardless of consequence
How could any man, with respect to himself TO
his race, his religion, and his God, take any step
regardless Of consequence
Mr.. Clemens said the honorable Senator had
arraigned him for commenting upon his actions
He believed it the right of every American citi-
zen to comment upon every public act of every
public man.
Mr. Clay, fnterposingl Certainly but not on
their private intercourse
MIR. Clemens reverted 10 the " Nicholson Let
teri The explanation given by the honorable
Senator to his letter was different from that given
1t by his friends in Alabama Mr.. Yancey and
others had been read out of the Democratic party
for constituting it as the Senator does himself
Mr.: Davis of Mississippi remarked that he had
put the same construction upon the letter as the
honorable Senator had just given it.
Mr.. Foote spoke nearly an hour in reply to
portions OF Mr.. Clay's remarks in reference TO
the combination which Mr. Foote suspected was
being formed between Mr. Benton and MIR Clay.
While he felt no desire to play the Paul Pry, or
to disclose the secrets of others yet be should at
all times and in all places not only declare his
sentiments frankly and fully If the public good
required it, but when incidents occurred before
his eyes, which he felt were full Of meaning and
Importance, he should openly declare and CON-
ment upon them.
He reviewed the course Mr.. Clay had pursued
in years past upon the Slavery question. He
reed from a speech delivered by MIR Clay in
F; tsec' ~sSsass the North Of the 3Ssssg - p, 81
sing their abolition policy upon the South, and
SSeS hie iette, ~a ,ne f%SsA poSs{iofs 90
the deepest modification and indignation that the
entire South felt at the stand Mr., Clay had Ia
ken in favor of "their enemies He repeatedly
declared that Mr.. Clsy's emancipation letter and
his recent resolutions and done more to hasten
The ruin of The Souh, and to encourage and
! strengthen the Northern iucendaries, than all
the legislation and all other influences put togeth-
er for the past ten years.
Mr.. Clay replied briefy-saying that he had
no objection to his public acts being criticised
and his public life reviewed, but he did not wish
suspicious to be cast upon him, nor his private in
tercourse invaded He said he did believe be
was the best abused man in the country
Mr.. Cass, tmanifesting good-humored sympa-
| thy) With one exception.
Mr.. Clay proceeded to say that he had been
bitterly denounced by the aboltionsts who, fear
ing he would not have the benefit of their casti-
cations, would actually send their papers contain
| ing their articles to him Mr., Cass interposing
| have bushel Of them, and can furnish the
honorable Senator when he has a demand for
them and the South too denounced him as an
Abolitionist. He had heard something said about
enemies" Enemies he knew no enemies
We were all brothers, and let us all be united as
one great family in preserving union and harmony
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 81, 1850.
| After the usual morning business, Mr.. Miller
took the floor on the motion to commit the Con-
stitution of California with instructions, &c. and
addressed the Senate till he gave way, with
out concluding, to motion to adjourn. The
Senate then adjourned over until Monday.