The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-11-26

Mr.. Clayton's Speech.

The Hon. John NJ. Clayton has adj
dressed his lellow-cilizens of Delaware,
assembled at complimentary dinner, in
speech Of considerable length lie
has given concise, but clear and salts
factory history Of the most important re-
cent public events in which he was con-
cerned, either as a Senator or as men,
Der Of the Cabinet. These variations
are submitted in frank and unreserved
spirit, and are worthy ofihe attention Of
all who wish to know the temper aud
disposition Of Mr.. Clayton in respect to
the great national measures which have
so strongly excited the public attention
Respecting the first agitation Of the
question of the right Of the Southern
people to carry their slaves into the new
territories acquired from Mexico, Mr.
Clayton says, in reference to the debate
in the Senate in 1917 and ISIS
"While the storm Of discord was at the
highest, proposed to both the coniend>
ing parties to settle the question by o.
beyng the mandates of the Constitution
in the organization OF new territorial
governments over California aud New
Mexico without the Wlmol proviso, but
with positive provision to bring the
subject of the right TO hold slaves under
its laws, as they existed, before the Su-
preme Court of the United States, the
tribunal appointed by the fathers OF the
republic to decide between the contend
ing members of the coniederacy. Gap
plause.) This proposition was met in
the most cordial spirit, and approved
with few exceptions, by the great body
of the Southern members of Congress
in both branches aud after a protfacted
and exciting debate, bill to that effect
reported 10y committee Of which wa:
the chairman, passed the Senate Of the
United States by majority of two-thlrd.
Of all its members. During its passage
through that body, fierce opposition
was excited against it in some Of the
Northern States, where political purpose
could best be subserved by the conlln
ued agitation Of the question of slavery
hr. Van Buren, became the leader of I
new party organised upon the pr:ncpl,
of opposition to this or any other plan o
adjustment without the " iImot Provisu
and for this measure of peace, which.
shall die in the belief, was better calcu
lated 10 compose the distractions and dl
visions of the country than any which
has ever yet been offered. was met it
the North by the hercest spirit of denun
citation. 1t was Immediately announced
that fifty thousand men had assembled il
the Park in New York. to express lhei
opposition and 10 utter their execration
against what they were pleased to cal
the "Claylon Compromise. The friend
who stood by me in the North in m
anxlou US effort to restore peace aud har
mony 10 the country. were denounce,
as having been sold to the South; AM
amidst the din and clamor ofihese part
combatants, reason aud argument wer
either unheard or lost their proper in
thence. In this state Of things, the bill
having passed the Senate, after weeks o
discussion, aud one prolracted session O
twenty-five hours, during which Mr. Di,
OF New York, and Mr.. Niles of Con
nectIcut-both members of the new
Free Soil school-distinguished them
selves. in opposition TO the measure, no
less by their ability than by their IN
measured zeal. il was presented to III,
House Of Representatives FOR concur
renee and there. without one word o
dsbals-yiihout a single reference to I