The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-22


seiye very profitable result likely 70 accrue. Bat
with respect % the senator over the way. from Mis-.
.isspg lMr Eoorl having righ. 70 comment I.s. .p9n
never have complained Of il did complain Of the
honorable senator for having described position Of mine
10 relation to another SENATOR some days ago. and draw
ing from our respective attitudes sinister conclusions.
MIR FOOrE linterposing) have lying before me
the report OF my remarks, in which distinctly say thai
the statement was made with reference nol % the senator
from Kentucky, but to the senator from Missouri.
Mr. CLAY. know that; know mat But Will the
senator tell what sort OF an exemption that is, for
him to intimate that another was attempting 70 combine
with me Tor corrupt purposes, while l. as a man Of
honor could listen all the while to ms propositions and
oyertures to met Laughter
Mr. FODTE, lin his seat.l did express my ndgna
ton that the senator could have thus listened to him
Renewed laughter
Mr.. CLAY | know the kindness OF the honorable |
senator's motives. have had abundant evidence OF IL
and il would be extremely difficult for to think Other
wise OF him than who, in the private intercourse
of life, at least is kind any other senator in this
chamber But let put 10 him, that same spirit OF mod
Grafton in which he has addressed me, question There
was senator who came TO me this morning-l will not
say who--bu leaning over the banister had very in
@ Sav m WINCH there were @any hnap
not necessary or proper to repeat But suppose thai
any northern had watched the motions Of the honor
able senator fron-no beg pardon but will that sena'
MT. FOOTE, lin his seat) Unquesonably. [Great
laughterl II there be anything illicit, hope be will
MIR. CLAY. Suppose he had been watched
Mr. FOOTE lin his seat) should not be the man
who would be suspected Of anything Illicit (Renewed
Mr. CLAY | was going 10 say that the honorable
senator from Mississippi himself came 10 my seat this
morning, and held with me long and interesting CONVEX
saf y s hs %
surround IT, Suppose that any northern man. OF any
southern man. watching the movements Of the honorable
senator coming and holding that intensely interest
ing conversation, should in his place and undertake
TO impute motives which did not exist, and make charges
unfonnded, would not that be very improper? Is il not
improper Tor the private intercourse which taxes place
from lime to time between two senators IN this body to
become the subject OF all the anmadversion which any
senator may choose TO throw into his speech That is
all contend Tor.
Now Sir with regard to the reference the senator has
made to letter OF mine, addressed 70 the free-so con-
venon in Ohio, during the past summer i u but lair
that should read the whole letter was IN invited 70 ~
the ordinance OF 1887 and thought that in my reply
gave very delicate rebuke to the party who sent me
an invitation for celebrating any such day saa mat
the day had been celebrated added, that hoped that
had shown in my place here, and everywhere. that not
opposed than was 10 the Introduction OF slavery into
any OF the Territories OF this country by positive
enactment OF laws and that did not believe there sx
be the law OF Mexico upon the part Of any individual
to carry it there. That is what is in the letter.
The honorable senator has chosen 70 90 back fora
term of fifty years | do not know that there is any
great merit in uniformity consistency in the conduct
OF those in public service There is one advantage in it.
which will state, for what It is worth. Ii a man
uniform in his conduct, it always be inferred. when
any exigency any new case arises. where he will be
But If he is perpeiuay vaclllang no matter what
the motives Of the changes 10 bis conduct II is mpos
Bile to place him. Although, as abstract principle,
we may allow that where man honestly changes his
opinions il is no objection to him, yet the difficulty
is in making mankind comprehend that you have
done it from those honest motives They may sus
pect you and say theefore, agenera rule for public
men, il is better that they should never change Their
opinion, except upoo plausible evidence authorizing that
change which mankind may and consider as tangi.
BILE. make no change and claim no merit for it. From
the earliest that could consider the subject Of
the existence OF henstution Of slavery have held, and
have said again and again. from that time down. and
shall go my grave with the opinion, that il is an evil
social and political evil that il wfong, as il respects
those who subject to the institution OF slavery
These my opinions; quarrel with no man for
holding contrary opinions II is perfectly true. sir that
in my State, about this time last year. addresseda
letter to friend in that State, in which suggested those
opinions, and skeched out what appeared TO my mind to
be practical plan for the gradual emancipation OF the
slaves in Kentucky chose to put upon record knew
al the moment was writing. at New Ofeans that ls
ter, as well as / know, at this moment, that the
majority OF the people OF Kentucky would not adopt my
scheme and probably would not adopt any project what
ever OF gradual emancipation Perfectly well dad know
il; but sir was anxious that II any OF my poster
y, any human being that came after me, should have
occasion TO look into my sentiments and ascertain whai
they were upon this great institution oil slavery, ihey
should be put upon record. was persuaded that what
was attempting would be Intellectual, knew that
was duty owed to myself 10 truth, my country, and
10 my God to record my sentiments and 10 state them a.
explicitly could. The State has decided as had an.
tcipated she would regret it, wish i had been 9TH
erwise, but | acquesce most cheeriuy in Il No man
will hereafter making efforts to disturb the dee
crate decision pade by the Commonwealth after a full
Now, sir, am really much indebted TO the honorable
senator for the sympathy he has felt for in respect
the recent attack made against The newspaper be-
eve has been laid upon the tables OF all OF us Sn,
desire the sympathy OF man, and the forbearance OF
man, escape from responsibility for my conduct on
account OF my age any other circumstance ask or
Mr. President, allow me TO say, without any earthly
object OF ambition before as were, uponl me
brink OF eerniyseparated 10 great extent from all the
ties which connect a moral with his fellow during this
transory sateI am here only expecting 10 go hence
and knowing no responsibility but TO my own conscience
and my Cod ready TO express my opinions upon all and
every subject and determined 10 do this and 10 impu'
taton threat application OF awe or terror 10 me,
viii be awaiting in restraining me from expressing those
opinons-none whatever. The honorable senator may,
il he chooses, think me an aboliuonist BE II so.
Mr. FO0TE, Tin his seat) did not say 80.
Mr. CLAY, (resumng) Well, sir, II there Is we'll
abused man in this counifyf there is TO be found man
in this country above all others, most abused BY the se-
oionists, IL Il the very individual who now humoy
addresses this Senate The honorable senator IRON ms
sssippi Mr. Foorrl does not see their papers perhaps
bitterness, perfectly Understandable and put them mo
their papers in the form OF all the ephess which n
ling gaie language viii enable Them 10 employ ana
lest should not them, they invariably take Inc occa
SION in these precious instances oil traducton. TO SEND
their papers TO me- Wish the honorable senator IRON
Mississippi mr. FooTEl could have the opportunity OIL
rea Iii M some oil those papers which are sent 10 me.
r.sscs A. "a