Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1850-12-05
MIR. CLAY,S SPEECH,
Delivered before the Legislature Of Ken
tucky, November 18th, 1850.

come from Mr.. Speaker Johnson, TO
which he replied in appropriate terms,
and went on TO say:]
The las, session opened under the
most lowering and unfavorable auspi-
ces; the public mind had been greatly
agitated, distracted and divided upon
subject connected with the Institution
of Slavery. | had witnessed other pc.
riods of great contest and agitation; in
the case of the admission Of Missouri,
the whole nation was greatly convulsed;
there was just cause of some apprebcn-
sion for the safety of the Union. In
the instance, also, of the opposition Of
South Carolina to the tariff, in 1882,
and 1888, there was great danger Of
civil war with that State, which might,
in certain events, have spread to sur
rounding States; but what peculiarly
distinguished the late struggle was, that
far more than on any former occasion
was the sentiment avowed, not merely
Of the existence of danger to the Union
but we heard in various quarters an
open and undisguised declaration of the
necessity and desire for its dissolution;
we beheld, too, what we had never be.
fore seen in time of peace-ihe as
semblage Of sectional convention Of
delegates, the tendency of which was
to break up the confederacy.
Mr.. Speaker, in common with others
had forseen dark and gathering
storms, and, perhaps the presump,ious
hope that might under the blessing of
Providence,be an humble instrument in
assisting to allay it, constituted prin.
ciple motive with me for returning 10
public life. Long before the meeting
of Congress, and during the early part
Of the session, il engaged almost exclu-
sively my most anxious thoughts: the
result of my reflections was that series
of resolutions which | presented to the
Senate of the United States in Februa.
ry last. My desire was to embrace all
the subjects arising out Of the inslitu-
ton of slavery, and to leave none open
for future agitation; and if possible, TO
settle them in just and honorable man.
ner as TO both the contending parties.
How these resolutions were received,
opposed and discussed on their first pre-
sentation il is not necessary 10 state;-
subsequently,, committee of thirteen
was appointed by the Senate, charged
with the duty of considering all the
subjects: which committee reported on
The various measures, varied but incon-
siderably from the resolutions l had
previously offered. Those differen,
measures were the admission of Cali,
fornia as a State in the Union; The es
tablishment of territorial Government
for New Mexico and Utah, without the
Wilmot Provso; proposals to Texas foI
fixing her boundary more definitely
provision, for the recovery of fugitive
slaves. and the abolition of the slave
trade in the District of Columbia.
When the message of the Presiden
recommending the admission of Cali
fornia into the Union, was first presen
ted, not entertaining myself, a particle
. of doubt as to the propriety of the ad
E mission, and moi being aware of th'
: great and extensive opposition existing
E among The Southern members of Con
gress against il, | was in favor of tn
r immediate admission as separate mea
- sure, but when l became acquainte'
, with that opposition, and considering
d as mere question of form. though
It best TO unite il with other kindred mea
sures in one common bill.
J. The admission of California was oF
:, posed, first upon the ground of its ha
J. wing constituted itself State, wilhou
the previous express authority of Cor
n gress; and, secondly, because the terr
tory which it had assumed for itsel
was deemed 10 be too large and exter
$. sive. We replied as TO the first groun
that California was not the first Sta,
which had been received into Ii
S, Union without the previous sanction (
Congress, bu, that several other Stal'
o. had been so received; that, although
was mos, singular that Congress shou
give its previous assent, that was ma
ter not depending upon the constitute
but was in the sound discretion of Co