Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-02-09

by me, for am presumptuous to indulge the
hope that any thing may cay will deserve the attention
which have desired, but to listen to their reason,
their judgment, their good sense, in determining
upon what best be done for country in the actual
posture in which we find her. Sir, this great OBJ
ect have my efforts been directed during this whole session.
have cut myself of from all the usual enoyments Of
cial s have confined myself almost entirely with very
few exceptions my chamber and from beginning
the the present time my thoughts have been
iousy directed the object Of finding pn proposing
mode Of accommodation, which should
the blessings OF concord harmony and this
great country lam not vain enough suppose that have
been successful in the accomplishment Of this object but
presented scheme, and allow say honorable
Senator'S that if they find in that plan any thing that is de-
fecve they find in any thing that is worthy of accept
ance hut is susceptible of improvement by amendment
that the and patriotic denounce
it. but improve inot reject without examination any
project accommodation having for its object the restoration
Of harmony in this country but to look at to fit be
cepbe Of alteration improvement accomplish the
object which indulge the hope is to all and every
restore peace and quiet and harmony and hap
piness to this country.
Sir when came to consider this subject there were two or
three general purposes which it seemed be de-
sirable if possible, accomplish The was to settle all
the conrovered questions arising out of the subject Of sla
very 1t seemed to be doing very little if settled
question and left other dstracng questions unadused
II seemed to be doing but little we stopped leak
only the ship of State, and left other leaks capable of pro-
dncng DANGER if destruction, the vessel therefore
tuition Of slavery, and of which conroverted questions
had sprung, see if it possible practicable
MEDIATE and adjust the whole ofhem. Another principal OBJ
ject which attracted my attention to endeavor to form
such scheme Of accommodation that neither of the
Glasses of States into which country unhappiy divided
should make any sacrifice OF any great principle believe,
s The Of resolutions which have had the honor
present to the Senate accompanies that object.
Sir another purpose which bad in view was this: was
Of the difference Of opinion prevailing between these
two classes of States was that whilst one portion
nf shav
greatest extremity another portion of the Union pushing
them to opposite and perhaps not less dangerous extre
nifty. appeared me, them that if any arrangement any
satisfactory adjustment could be made of the
tons between the two classes States that adjustment that
arrangement could only be successful and ectua by exact
ing from both parties some Of principle not
Of principle ALL but of feeling of opinion, in relation to
matters in controversy between them Sir believe the
solutions which have prepared fulfil that object believe
sir that you will nd upon that careful, RATIONAL and atten
tive examination of them which think they deserve, that
neither party of them make concession all in
others the concessions Of orbearance mutual and in the
third place, in reference to the savehodng States there
resolutions making concessions to them by the opposite class
of States without any compensation whatever being rendered
by them to the nonsaveholdng States think every
Of these characteristics which have assigned and the
which proposed susceptible of clear and satisfactory
demonstration by attentive erusa and critical examination
Of the resolutions themselves Let take up the first reso
luton
The first resolution Mr.. President you aware,
aes California, and declares that California, with suit
able limits, ought to be admitted member Of this Union,
without the imposition of any restriction either to nterdc
to introduce slavery within her limits. Well now is there
concession in this resolution by either party to the other
know that gentlemen who from slaveholdng States
the North gets all that desires but BY whom does get
Does get by any action of Congress slavery be inter-
dced within the limits of California has been done by Con-
gress-by this Government No, sir That Introduction is
imposed by California herself And has il not been the doc
ne Of ell parties that when State about to be admitted
the Unon the State has right decide for itself whe
:her it will or will not have slavery within its limits
Here the confusion arising from the pressure Of the crowd
great that with difficulty Mr. G. could be heard
And he suspended his remarks until the lobheshad been su
ciently cleared to restoration OF order.
Mr.. CLAY resumed The great principle sir, which
contest upon the memorable occasion OF the introduction
OF Missouri into the Union was whether competent
not competent for Congress to impose any restriction which
should exist after she became member of the Union We
who in favor Of the admission Of Missouri contended
that such restriction should be imposed We commended
that whenever she admitted the Unon he had
all the rights md privileges State in the
Union and that among these rights and privileges was to
decide for herself whether slavery should should exist
within her limits that she had smuch right to decide upon
the introduction of slavery its abolition New York had
right decide upon the introduction or abolition of savey
and that although subsequently admitted she stood amongst
her peers equally invested with all the privileges that any
of the original thirteen States, had right to enjoy And
think that those who have been contendng with SO
much and perseverance for the Wmot povso
ought to reflect that, finley couldcay their object and
adopt the provso, the moment any Slate Terri
which was appHcapie 70
Der Of the Union. Why, sir, contends now, ons
believes that with regard those Northwestern States to
which the ordinance of 1887 apped-Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
and Michgan-no believe but that any of
those States they thought proper to do it have just
much right introduce slavery within their borders V
gna has maintain the existence Of slavery within hers
Them sir iii the struggle for power and empire between the
classes of States decision California has taken place
adverse the wishes Of the Southern States is decision
made by the General Government. is decision res
pecng which they utter complaint towards the Gem
eral Government 1t is decision made by California her
self which California had unquesionaby the right make
under the constitution Of the United States There is them
in the first resolution according to the observations which
made time ago, where neither party comedies
where the question Of slavery neither its introduction inter-
dicton decided in reference to the action OF this Govern
ent and if it has been decided it has been by different
body-by different poverty California itself, who had
right to make the decision.
Mr. President the next resolution in the series which
have offered beg gentlemen csndidly to look at.
aware, perfectly of the perseverance with which
the Wilmot proviso insisted upon. know that every
of the free States in this Union, without exception, had
its Legislative body passed resolutions nsuctng their Sc
and requesting their Representatives get resrc
ton incorporated in any territorial government which might
be established under the auspices Of Congress knew how
much and regretted how much, the free States had put
their hearts upon the adoption of this In the
cond resolution call upon them TO waive persisting in it.
ask them for the sake of peace and in the spirit of mutual
forbeaance to other members of the Union, give upto
no longer insist upon ito see they must see, their
eyes OPEN the dangers which lie ahead they
nsising upon IL Whrn called upon them in this
luton do this, not bound Offer for surrender Of
that favorte principle Of THEIRS compensa-
ton, not equivalent by any MEANS but COM
pensation in the spirit Of mutual forbearance, which,
aDimatng side ought at the time to actuate
the other side. WE'LL sir what is it that is offered them