Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-02-27

Senator should describe the position Of myself in rela
ton to another Senator some days ago, and draw from
| our respective attitudes certain conclusions
Mr.. FoorE. Will the honorable Senator bear with
me tor moment! lie will find i'll my printed speech,
now lying before me, that did question his motives
| Mr.. CLAY. know that. But will the Senator tell
me what sort of intention is implied when one who is
intmated to have been animated by corrupt purposes
as was intmaed with regard to the other Senator's
dealing with me, conyersing and comforting with
and how as man OF honor, could listen to his Ian
guage while making such overures-
MI. FooTE. The Senator will recollect that ! com
mended him for not permitting himself to be made
OF in this way Laughter
| Mr.. CLAY. know the kindness of the honorable
Senator's nature Ihave had abundant evidence OF it;
and would be extremely difficult for him TO make me
think otherwise than that in all the private relations of
life at least he is as kind any other Senator in this
body. But, let me put il to him, in that spirit of mode
ration in which he would address me- There was a
Senator came to me this morning, Il will not tell whom
that Is matter between the Senator and myself) and
leaning over the banlster at the back of my chair we
had very long and ntere sting conversation upon the
most important topics OF the day. in which there were
many thugs said not necessary proper now to epeat
Now, suppose that some Northern man had watched
the motions of the honorable Senator from Miss
ah | beg pardon, was Just going to name him.
Laughter. Does the honorable Senator allow me TO
refer to him
Mr. FoorE Unquestionaby. Will the Senator al
| low me to simply say that have nothing to conceal
wear my heart upon my sleeve; and if there any
thing illicit in the language | used, he is welcome to
proclaim it. happen to be a who would not be
suspected OF any thing fraudlu
MI CLAY was about to say sir, that the honora-
Bile Senaorfrom Mississippi himself came TO my seat
this morning, and we had very long and interesting
conversation and he spoke OF the ways and means of
the delivery OF our country from the difficulties which
now surround it. Now, suppose that any Northern or
| Southern man, having watched the movement of the
honorable Senator III coming me, should rise in
| his place and impute motives which did not exist
make charges wholly unauthorized he not con-
| ceive itlnproper!
| Mr.. FooTE 1t would be very wrong
Mr' CLAY 1t is not IMPROPER for the private inter
course winch may take place from time TO time between
any Two Senators in this body to become the subject OF
public observation, and compose part of the anmad-
versions which Senators may choose to throw into
their speeches That is all have to say upon that
point.
Now, with regard to the reference which the GENTLE
man has made TO letter OF mine addressed to Free
SOL Convention In Ohio during the past summers that
IS an Ef' and snail state what the contents of that
teller were was invited to attend the celebration OF
the anniversary OF the passage the ordinance of 1887
and think gave very delicate rebuke TO the parties
sending me an invitation to the celebration of any such
day sad that was the first time the day had been
celebrated, although sixty years have elapsed since the
passage OF that ordinance. added and add here and
every where, that not one of them, that no man in the
United States was more opposed to the introduction of
slavery into any of the Territories of this coun-
try by positive enactments of law and that did not
believe there existed, under the present state of what
conceive to be the laws Of Mexico any right on the
part OF any individual to carry slaves there That is
what was in the letter. q.
The honorable Senator has chosen to 60 back for
term OF hity years do not know that there is any
great merit III uniformity consistency on the part of
public servants. There is advantage in it. which I
will state. II man is uniform in his conduct, it can
always be inferred, it any or exigency arises
where he will be; but if he is perpetualIv yacianp
no matter what may be the motives for the change Of
his conduct it is impossible to place him Although
as an abstract truth, we may possibly allow that where
man honestly changes his opinion, it is from inter-
nal convection OF the error oil that opinion the difficulty
is IN making mankind believe in his sincerity for having
done it. Therefore think it is better as general rule
Tor public men, that they should change their
opinion unless on palpable evidence, which all mankind
consider as plain
have made no charge. From the earliest moment
"eh coqd consider the institution of slavery, have
held, and have said from that day down to the pre-
sent, again and again, and shall go to the grave with
the OPINION, that 1t Is an evi,a social and political
evil and that it is wrong respects those who are
subject to the Institution OF slavery. These are my OPT
Mons. quarrel with no man for holding contrary oni
mons and 1t is perfectly true that in my own State
about this time last year. addressed letter to friend
in which suggested these opinions, and sketched out
What appeared to me might be practicable plan for
the gradual emancipation ofslaveryi Kentucky That
letter chose to put on record knew at the moment
when wrote that letter at New Orleans as well as
know at this moment, that majority OF the people Of
| Kentucky woudno adopt my scheme or probably any
PROJECT whatever OF gradual emancipation. Perfectly
well did know it but sir, was anxious that if any
one OF my postenty, or any human being who comes
alter me, should have occasion to look into my senti
mens and ascertain what they wera on this great insti-
tuition OF slavery, topnt them record there and in
etiectua as saw the project would be, felt it was a
duty which owed to myself, to truth to my country
| and to my God, to record my sentiments The State
| OF Kentucky has decided as | anticipated the State
would do regret it. but acquiesce in her decision
wish II had been otherwise; but acquiesee in it most
cheerfuly, and no man hereafter will see me making
any efforts there or any where else, to disturb the deli
berae decision oil the Commonwealth made after full
consideration.
Now really should be much indebted to the honora
hata
pect to the recent attack which believe has been in the
newspaper which think has been laid on the tables of
the orbearance of man desire TO escape from no
| responsibility OF my public conduct account of my
| age, or or any other cause | ask for none. | am in
peculiar situation Mr.. President, if you will allow me
to say so-wlthout any earthly object OF ambition be-
tore me- standing, as Were upon the brink Of eten
y separated to great extent from all the earthly ties
winch connect mortal with bis being during this tran
STORY state. am here expecting soon to 90 hence and
owing responsibility but that which owe to nv con-
science and TO God Ready to express my opinions upon
all and every subject am determined to do So and no
mpulaton, no threat no menace no application Of awe
or terror to will be awaiting in restraining me from
expressing them, None, none whatever The honora-
bic Senator, il he chooses, may deem me an aboonst
Be 1t So Sir, if there is wea abused man in this eoun-
try~if | were to endeavor to find out the man above
all others the most abused by aboonss it is the hum
bic individual who is now addressing you. The homo
rabe Senator from Mississippi does not perhaps see
these papers do but they all pour out from their
walls Of wrath bitterness which is perfectly ndescrba
be and they put epithets into their papers accnmpa-
MED with all the Billngsgae which they can employ
and lest should not see them, they invariably take oc-
caslon in these preciens instances Of aducton to send
their papers to me. wish the honorable Senator from
Mississippi (Mr. Fooe) could have an opportunity of
seeing some OF them.
Mr.. CAss. can give the honorable Senator from
Mississippi q bqshe OF them, if he will take the pains
to read them; and must say thai the honorable Sena-
tor from Kentucky Is about the best abused man IN all
this Union, with perhaps but one exception. Laugh
teri
Mr.. CLAY. Now, sir when | brought forward this
proposition OF NINE which is embraced in these reso
TONS intended, so help God, to propose Elan Of
doing equal and impartial justice 10 the South and to
the North so far as could comprehend ii; and think
it does yet. But how has this effort been received
by the uraistsl Why at the North they cry out-and
ii not that paper alone to which the honorable Sena
tor from Iowa (Mr. Dodge refers but many other pa
South" And, sir, what is the language in the South!