The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-02-23

From the Washington Republic.
In SENATE, FEBRUARY 5.-Mr Mangum moved
that the Senate proceed to the consideration of the
resolution submitted by Mr.. Clay. on Wednesday
last
Mr. Clay said he never rose to address the Sen
ate with more intense feeling than on the present
occasion. He had witnessed many seasons Of great
peril and danger in the history of the country but
he never before rose to address the Senate when
there such an extreme solicitude, fear and anx-
ety felt by the country in the issue of the great
events now transpiring. He did not think it would
be out of place 10 do that in the Senate which he
had never ceased to do m his own chamber-that
is, to invoke The Supreme Arbiter who holds in his
hand the desnes of nations to calm the passions of
men and the violence of party; to allow reason to
resume her empire; and to bestow on him His
smiles of approval. and the strength and ability to
perform the task before him. He had witnessed
other periods when the events of the day caused
the greatest anxiety throughout the country; and
in all these well the present, he had no doubt
were he to trace the the danger, peril and
alarm to its true source, he would find it party
spirit He appealed to Senators if this were not
true. Parties, in order to gain triumph for them
selves over their opponents, seized upon every sub
ject that presented itself make capital Of and
increase their own numbers Two Senators had
told them that both of the two political parties of
the country at the north actuated by such spirit,
had endeavored and were endeavoring to outdo
each other to obtain the votes of small third par
ty, called Abolitionists in order TO swell their re-
spective numbers. Nor was this confined to the
people at large In the legislative halls of the
country the same party spirit overrides all other
considerations The House of Representatives had
spent whole week in fruitless attempt to elect
i a door-keeper. And what was the question which
prevented the election of door=kecper? 1t was
not the fitness or the qualifications of the men,
but the question was, whether the door rkeeper 10
be chosen belonged to this that party Or wheth-
er his views and sentiments of political questions
were of one or of another school, He did not al
lude to this subject by way of reproaching any for
what had been done. but by way OF illustrating to
what lengths and extremes this party spirit is car
ried, and he hoped that something would be done
to check it in IFS onward progress.
| What vicissitudes We pass through iii this short
career of life Eight years ago he took leave OF
the Senate as he thought forever And, if his own
inclinations, his own desires hopes and anticpa-
tons to be allowed to enjoy the few remaining years
of life, in the quiet of retired life had been
consulted, that would have been his last appear
anee in the Senate. But the Legislature of his
State. unsolicited By him, had thought proper 10
confer upon hina again the honor Of being their
Representative here, an1 he did not feel at liberty
to refuse it. He came however to the Senate to
serve no party, nor with any personal or private
ends now or hereafter, to accomplish. And, II
there in the Senate, or ont of the Senate, any
man engaged in the race after high honors or posi-
tion let that man rest assured that he would never
be josted by him (Mr. C.) in that race. When his
term of service in the Senate was ended, his mis-
sion in this life SO far relates to public affairs
would be closed and closed forever.
1t was impossible for any candid observer o
passing events not to that the spirit OF party
and the promotion and elevation of particular indi
viduals to high places and distinction, were now
the absorbing principles of men. AT this time
when the White House is in danger OF being wrapl
in the flames of destruction and ruin, We're EN-
gagged in talking about who shall be its next oceu
pant. When an alarming creyasse has taken place
and the waters of destruction are fast pouring upor
US, we are talking about who shall rule over the
country to be inundated. The whole sublcct that
seemed to attract the attention of men was party
party, passion, passion, and intemperance OF spirit
Was this the way to save the country from i'm
pending danger? Within the Capitol there were
twenty furnaces all burning and sending forth the
heat of passion and party spirit. few month.
ago there peace in the country, and every thing
was quiet and tranquil. Now there was danger
and peril and eren menaces against the Union.-
He implored Senators to l9oi It these things; tc
iqueh the fires Of passion now raging and to lister
to the voice of reason. He did not suppose What
} he could say would produce such effect but ht
begged them to listen to the voice of ti,er rea
son, Judgment and good sense, To what can be
done for the good of the country.
To this object he had directed all his efforts
with such view he had in manner cut himsel
off from all social enjoyment since his arrival il
this city, and devoted all his time labor and abili
ties, to the formation of some plan whereby. oncs
more. peace, concord and harmony, could be re
stored to the country. He had submitted that
plan to the Senate He did not hope that it could
be successful but he trusted that if Senators ounc
in it any thing Objectionable, that could Oh
ought to be amended, they would endeavor to i'm
prove, alter and amend ii. and not pronounce
against it or attempt to destroy it. Let them ex
anime It carefully, and calmly and if they discov
cred any thing in susceptible of improvement le
them improve it, and restore peace harmony. anC
happiness to the country.
In forming this plan, he had thought it should
embrace all the subjects upon which there was diff
hculty, thinking that there could be no use in set
tling one part and leaving others open but that al
should be Sc tied at time. He also thought tha
he should prepare scheme that both classes o
States-free States and slave States-coud adop
without any sacrifice OF principle. These series o
resolutions propose plan whereby all thisis done
He saw one section of the States of the countr,
pushing their measures to an alarming and danger
Gus extreme; he saw the other section preparn,
to extend their measures to another and e9ual