Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-02-23

Object believe, is to elevate the honorable Senator
from New York 10 the Presidential Office hereafter.
Well, sir, this editor extremely delighted with the
speech and resolutions Of the honorable Senator from Ken
lucky and upon their reception bestowed both upon them and
their author the most unmeasured encomums Now sir let
me ask the honorable Senator from Kentucky whether these
facts do not prove that the influence Of his character and in
ect has been exered with deadly effect against the
South at this crisis do not speak of the honorable
Senator's intentions but the consequences Of his acts here
too papabe to be denied Sir, lament this state of things
most profoundly lamenit, because do most serious
fear that the teachings The honorable Senator have been
potential in encouraging the enemies Of Southern rights the
North, and in discouagng and paralyzing friends there,
none whom safely concede more to the South than
claimed for distinguished savehong Senator the
gentleman from Kentucky that greatly fear that all bore of
perpetual adjustment and compromise is at end If this
should turn out TO be the aPpehend that the honorable
Senator from Kentucky will himself be constrained to feel the
weighy and impressive burden of self condemnation, and
lament in lasting his ipudcous ntermedding with
questions the ruthless agitation of which has awakened the
most painful soctude in the mind Of every true patriot
Mr.. CLAY A word or two only, Mr. President do
not rise to proong This discussion, from which do per-
ceiSe that any profitable results likely to accrue With
respect to the honorable Senator from Mississippi having
right to comment my public conduct and career, have
doubted it have complained Of it. did
plain that the honorable Senator should describe the position
OF myself in relation another Senator days ago. and
draw from oar respective attitudes certain conclusions.
Mr. FOOTE. Will the honorable Senator bear with me
for moment He will end in my printed speech now Iy-
ing before me, that did not question his motives,
Mr. CLAY know that. But will the Senator tell me
what sort OF intention implied when who minated to
have been animated by corrupt puposesas ntimated
with regard TO the other Senator's dealing with me,
yerspg and comforting with me and how /, as man of
honor could listen to his language while making such
tures-
Mr. FOOTE. The Senator will recolect that commend
ed him for not permitting himself to be made Of in this way
Mr.. CLAY know the kindness of the honorable sena
tors nature have had abundant evidence Of it and
would be extremely difficult for him to make me think other
wise than that in all the private relations OF life at least he
kind nis. Senator in this body. But let me put
it to him. in that spirit of moderation in which he would ad
dress me, There Senator to me this morning,
will not M whomhati matter between the Senator and
myself and leaning the banister at the back Of my
chair had very long and interesting conversation upon
the mos important topics of the day, in which there
many things said necessary proper now to repeat
Now, suppose that Northern had watched the mo
tons Of the honorable Senator from Missah beg par
don, was just going to him. Laughter. Does the
honorable Senator allow me to refer to him
Mr.. FOOTE. Unquesionably Will the Senator allow
simply say that have nothing to conceai wear my
heart upon my sleeve aad if there any thing illicit in
the language used he is welcome to proclaim it. happen
be who would not be suspected Of any thing raudu
Mr.. CLAY. was about to say, sir that the honorable
Senator from Mississippi himself to my seat this morn
ing, and had very long and interesting conversation
aud he spoke of the ways and Of the delivery OF
country from the difficulties which surround it. Now,
suppose that any Northern Southern man. having watched
the of the honorable Senator in coming to
should rise in his place and mpue motives which did not
exsnake charges wholly NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. he not con-
seiye it improper
MI. FOOTE. 1t would be very wrong
Mr. CLAY Is not improper for the private intercourse
which may take place from lime to time between any two Sc
nators in this body to become the subject OF public obseva
o and compose part of the anmadversions which Sena
may choose throw into their speeches That is all
have to say upon that point
Now with regard TO the reference which the gentleman has
aJo lotar of inn
in Ohio during the past that all fair and shall
what the contents of that letter invited to
attend the celebration of the anniversary of the passage of the
ordinance of l7s7 and Think very delicate rebuko
the parties sending invitation to the celebration Of
any such day. said that the first time the day had
been celebrated although sixty have elapsed since the
passage of that ordinance added and add here and every
where that not of he that in the United States
opposed than the Introduction of slavery
any Of the Territories of this country by positive
Of law and that did not believe there existed under
The present state Of what conceive to be the laws Of Mexico
any right the part of any individual carry slaves there
That is what in the letter.
The honorable Senator has chosen to 60 back for term
fifty years. do not know that there is any great merit in
uniformity or consistency the part of public servants
There is advantage in it. which will state If man
uniform in his conduct always be inferred if any
exgency arises where he will be but if he is
perptuay vaciatng, matter what may be the motives
for the change Of his conduct it is impossible to place him.
Although, abstract truth, may possibly allow that
where man honestly changes his opinion it is from in
terna conviction of the of that opinion the diff ulty
making mankind believe in his sincerity for having done it.
therefore think is better, general rue for public men,
that they should change their opinion unless papa
BILE evidence which all mankind consider plain.
have made change. From the earliest when
could consider the institution Of slavery, have he5, and
have said from that day down the present, again and
again. and shall go the grave with the opinion. that
evil social and political evil and that is wrong as
respects who subject the institution Of slavery
These are my opinions. quarrel with for holding
contrary opinions and it is perfectly true that in my own
State about this time last year. addessed letter 10 friend
in which suggested these opinions and skeched out what
appeared might be practicable plan for the gradual
emancipation of slavery in Kentucky That letter chose
to nut on record knew the moment when wrote that
letter at New Orleans well know at this momeni that
majority Of the people of Kentucky would not adopt my
scheme probably any project whatever Of gradual eman
c;pation Perfectly well did know il but sir,
ious that if any of my poseriy, any human being
who coms after me, should have occasion to look into my
sentiments and ascertain what they this great ns
tuition Of slavery put them record there and neftec
tual sawthe project would be- felt duty which
owed to myself truth, to my country, and TO my God
cided as anticipated the State would do. regret il, but
acquesce in her decision. wish had been Otherwise bu
acauiesce in il most cheerfully and hereafter will
me making any efforts there any where ese to disturb
the deliberate decision Of the Commonwealth, made after full
consideration.
Now really should be much indebted the honorable
for the sympathy which he felt for me- in respect
the recent attack which believe has been in the newspaper
which Think has been laid the tabes Of al of But
sir desire the sympathy Of manthe fobearance Of no
desire to escape from responsibility Of my public
nduct account of my age, for any other
ask for am in peculiar situation, Mr. President,
you viii allow TO say sowhout any earthly object Of