The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1850-02-22
.MR. CLAY 5 SPEECH,

OM UWU OCW' hOSV'
Mr.. PREsIDENT Never, on any for
mer occasion, have | arisen under feel
ings of such varied solicitude. have
witnessed many periods of great anxiety,
Of peril, and of danger even to the coun-
try; but have never before arisen to ad
dress any assembly. so oppressed, so ap-
palled, so anxious. And. sir. | hope it
will not be out of place to do here what
again and again | have done in my pri
vate chamber-to implore of him who
holds the destinies Of nations and indi.
viduals in his hands to bestow upon our
country his blessings-tO best0w upon
our people all his blessings TO calm the
violence and rage of party-tO still pas
sion--to allow reason once more to re-
sumo its empire And may | not ask of
Him. sir, to bestow upon his humble SER
want, now before Him, the blessings of
His smiles. of strength. and ability. to
perform the work which lies before as?
Sir, have said that have witnessed
other anxious periods in the history of
our country; and if were to mention
to trace to their original source = the
cause of all our present dangers and diff
6culties. should ascribe them to the vi
Olence and intemperance Of party spirit.
We have had testimony Of this in the pro
gress Of this session; and Senators. how.
ever they may differ in other matters,
concur in acknowledging the existence
of that cause in originating the unhappy
differences which prevail throughout tine
country upon this subject of the institu'
ton of slavery. Parties. in their endea-
yors to obtain the one the ascendancy a.
YER the other. catch at every passing and
floating plank. in order to add strength
and power to themselves We have been
told by the two honorable Senators (Mr.
Hale and Mr.. Phelps) that the parties at
the North have each in its turn wooed
and endeavored to obtain the assistance
of small party called aboitionists. in
order that the scale in its favor might
preponderate over its adversaries. Let
us look wherever we may. we see too
many indications of the existence of the
spirit aud intemperance nf party. might
go to other Legislative bodies besides our
own. might draw from those Legisla-
lures all the melancholy truth upon which
l am dwelling; but. sir, | need not pass
out of this capitol itself i say it with all
Difference and respect to that portion nl
Congress assembled in the other wing oI
the Capitol But what have we seen
there during this very session. One
whole week--I think it was an entire
week. exhausted in the vain endeavo
to elect DeoIkeeper of the Housed
Much confusion prevailed in the lob
bies and the avenues leading to the Sen
ate chamber
Mr.. Cass. Will the honorable Senate
pause few moments, until order is re
stored herei ..... .....
The Vice President. The Sergeant
alarms will see that the avenues to th'
galleries and this chamber are closed
and that a sufficient number WITHDRAW
from them to give room for those who ar
in, and to restore order.
Mr.. Foote. Let all the disorderly b
taken out.
Mr.. Badger. There are persons in tn
ante.rooms that. because they cannot hea
themselves, will not let others hear.
would suggest the propriety ofextendin
the order to their case also.
Mr.. Cass. Is the Sergeant at Arms i
the chamber? 's' .f,
The Vice President He is dischare
ing his duty in restoring order. ,.
Mr. Badger. Let the ante rooms b
entirely closed.
Order having at length been restore'
Mr.. Clay resumed Mr., Presiden
what was the question in this struggle
elect DOorkeeperl 1t was not as r.
garded tho man, or the qualifications
the man, best adapted to the situation
1t was whether the Doorkeeper ente
tanned opinions upon certain great n
tionaI measures coincident with those
this or that side Of the house! That W
the sole question that prevented the c
ection of that officer for about the peri'
of a week. make no reproaches, 81
none to either portion of the house.
state the fact; aud state that fact to dra
from it the conclusion. and to express Il
hope that there will be an endeavor
check this violence of party.
Sir. what vicissitudes do we not pa
through iu this short mortal existence
ours! Eight years ago. sir, took n
leave finally, and-as | snpposed--ft
ever, ofthis body. At that time did n
conceive of the possibility Of being aga
returned to it; aud if my private wish
and particular nclinations and the d
sire during the short remnant of my da
to remain in repose and quiet could ha
prevailed. you would never have Sc
me. sir, occupying the seat which | n
do upon this floor, The Legislature
the State to which belong, unsolicited
me. chose to designate me to reprase
them in this session, aud | have cor
here in obedience to sense of stern d
ty. with no personal objects--ne priv
views nov or hereafter to crafty.
know. sir. the jealuusies, fears. and
prehensions which are engendered by
spirit Of party to which have reierr'
aud If there be any in my hearing now
ifthere be in or out of this Capitnl--a
one who is using his efforts for hon
and for elevation--for higher honol,
higher elevation. than that which he n
enjoy--I beg him to believe that |