Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-02-13
MIR, CLAY'S SPEECH.

The correspondent II the Richmond Times, wri-
ting from Washington on the 9th, says:
Tire second division Of Mr.. Clay's speech, which
he concluded to-day, was far mure In his ancient
style of eloquence than the first. lie expounded
and sustained the resolutions in his series concern
ing slavery and the slave trade In the District OF
CUlu,nbia, the recovery of fugitive slaves, and the
intercourse in slaves between the Staies lnasmuch
as his views ON these points almost entirely in
accordance with those held by Southern men, this
portion of his argument was naturally the must
ceptabe to Southern ears. After getting through
detailed review of the resolutions, Mr.. Clay spoke
for about one hour on the general aspect Of the sa
very question. He depicted the past history OF the
country, ITS uninterrupted success in peace and war,
and thus came to magnificent peroratlon on The
subject Of the Union. and the various consequences
of its dissolution. He declared the opinion that
separation Of the Confederacy, Though II might be
pesceabe i'm the outset, would be followed by war
within sixty days, and war attended by disasters
and caIamiies, such have never ye, been record
ed in history lie thought ii certain that the Union
could not he divided into t,uo separate Conedera-
cies. There would be al least three; the Conede-
racy of the North the Confederacy Of the East, and
the Confederacy Of the Mississippi Valley. But, he
said it was impossible TO lift the veil which enclos.
ed in mystery the awful events which would follow
disunion. Ii was most probable that civil wars
would rage, and until some Alexander, or Caesar,
or Napoleon, should arise. cut the Gordian knot
with the sword and solve at last the problem Of
free government. He closed with an imprecaion
that if such an event as dsunlon was ever 10 take
place. he might not be alive 10 witness it. In the
course of his remarks, Mr. Clay gave very inter
estine narrative Of the circumstances that preceded
and attended the adoption Of the Missouri comiPro-
mise and, what will surprise the public, as 1t did
the Senate, he disclamed entirely the paternity of
the line OF Sc deg. 30 min. That line, he made it
appear, was propnsed by Mr.. Thomas, of Illinois,
whom no budy now recolects. MIR. Clay first sug-
crested different plan, but il Sell between The two
Houses by the votes of three Southern representa-
tiyes arainst it, one of whom was John Randolph.
Mr.. Thomas plan was fpally assented 10, but with
reluctance; by the friends ola compromise. Then
The Missouri convention; in framing the State Con-
situ,ion, Inadvertently included provision exclu-
ding free negtoes. This re-opened The whole con-
trovefsy, anu Congress, at the next session. was in
state of greater excitement than ever. Then, it
was, that Mr. Clry was inflental in producing,
though with the greatest difficulty, settlement Of
the CONTROVERSY, and that settlement was mere
general declaration, by Congress, that Missouri
should be admitted upon the passage Of an act by
her Legislature, cencediug that any provision Of her
Constitution, which was in conflict with the Fed
eral Constitution, should be over-rtlled by it. 1t
was thus that the act of the previous session adopt
ing the line of SO deg 30 min was made eficacious
by the simple announcement Of well established
principle Of law.
These sre some of The most interesting points Of
the latter half Of Mr. Clay's speech. 1t is impos-
sible not to admire the old mans indomitabe cour-
age, and the su5sding fires of his Unsurpassed ora
tory Nevertheless it is to be feared that this un-
dunbtedy great effort may fail tortonibte good re-
suits, in the present state Of the country.
1t is understood that Mr.. Buchanan, who has been
in Washington for several weeks, is using his In,
husnce to procure the success of compromise based
on the Missouri line and that scheme is thought 10
have more strength than any other.