The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-11-23
From the New York Herald, Nov 81.
Mr. Ciay's speech az Frankfort, Kentucky.

Payne from the committee appointed wait the Hon
Henry Clay, TO invite him to visit the legislature this day
at IL O'Clock, reported that the committee had performed
that duty, and that Mr. Clay responded that il would af,
ford him great pleasure and that at the designated hour
he would visit the legislature in the hall,
Upon Mr Clay being introduced by the chairman oil
the committee, Mr. Speaker Johnson addressed him
] follows: t9sr t4 E6a4
| Mr.. Clay. Allow me. as the representative OF the
people, TO welcome You 10 this hail. the theatre o your
early and successful labors for the prosperity and happ
OF the people, and to Introduce you TO the and
descendants OF many Of those who have been benefited
abors Kentucky is indebted for her prosperity and her
greatness Always faithful 10 the trust imposed in you
by the people Of this great Commonwealth when danger
threatened her they found you the fearless defender of
the constitution and the rights ofihe people Permit
sir 10 tender you the high appreciation OF the members
ns me q
those measures which we hope will give and quiet
TO the country YOU sir. to the Kentucky delegation
in Congress, 10 the distinguished senators Webster,
Dickinson. Foo,e and others, Kenuckyyea, sir, Amer
| ica--owes debt of gratitude #E
/ Mr. Clay replied as follows; n.satIt
Mr. Speaker and gentlemen OF the general assembly: In
presenting myself before you, in conformity with the
ouen OF the house OF representatives, and invitations
received by from the committee. have first to per-
form the agreeable duty OF rendering expression Of my
acknowledgment and my grateful thanks for the distin.
gushed honor awarded by you 10 the Kentucky delega
soa to the patriotic and eminent senator's OF aas as uned
who operated at the late session of Congress in the
adoption Of measures having for their object the harmo
VTcHeTVdLlOn
country And to you, Mr. Speaker. owe especially an
expression OF obligation for the eloquent compliment
ary terms in which. the organ Of this house. have
been pleased to aude to my public services on this and
other theatres In the absence OF those whom you have
SO highly honored in assocating with me, feel quite
sure that in assuming TO present for them their respectful
thanks which they could so much better do were they
present, shall have the candid appreciation OF their
hearts. es HHaHta EsNfa
Heretofore have frequently received gratifying est-
monias Of the confidence and attachment Of my country
men, but they principally confined to the party o
which was member What gives extraordinary and
dictated by party feelings, but the voluntary offering
Of my fellow citizens of both political parties and who
unanimously passed resolution which has brought us
together.
The last session OF Congress opened under the most
lowering and unfavorable auspices. The public mind
had been greatly ag;aaed Distracted. and divided pPoa
witnessed other periods OF great contest and agitation.
In the case of the admission OF Missouri, the whole
ton greatly conyulsed and there was just cause OF
serious apprehension for the safety Of the Union In the
instance, aso OF the opposition OF South Carolina to the
tariff in 1928, there was great danger OF civil war
with that State, which might, in certain events, have
spread 10 the surrounding States. But what peculiarly
distinguished the late struggle lar more than any for
mer occasion is the sentiment ayowed, not merely of
stence of danger to the Union, but heard in various
quarters open and undisgnsed declaration OF the
cessy of and desire for it's dissolution We behed too
what had never before the time of peace, the
assembly Of sectional del egaies the tendency Of which
was to break up the confederacy.
Mr. Speaker in common with others, had foreseen
the uaIkHess VI SdtueIhe Inc perhaps
sumpiive hope that might. under the blessings OF
Providence be an humble instrument in assisting 10 al
layit constituted principal motive with for re.
turning TO public life Long before the meeting OF Con-
gre.s, and during the early part OF the session, en-
gagged almost exclusively all my mos, anxious
Of resolutions which presented to the Senate Of the
United States in February last. My desire to en-
brace all the subjects OF agitation arising out o the nst
uion of slavery, and 10 leave open for future agi
ation, and. il possible, 10 settle them in just and
honorable 10 both the coniending parties How
these resolutions were received disposed OIL and dis
ussed their Erst presentation is not necessary to
state.
Subsequently. Committee Of Thirteen was appointed
by the Senate, charged with the duty of considering all
the subjects The committee reported and their var.
Gus measures varied but Internationally from the res
oluiions which had previously offered These dill
ferent measures were: the admission OF California
as State into The Union, and the establishment Of
territorial governments for New Mexico and Utah,
whou, the Wilmoi Proviso; Pgoposals TO Texas I. :
the recovery Of fugitive slaves and the abolition Of
the slave trade in The District of Columbia.
The message OF the President recommended the adms-
sion OF California into the Union, first presented not
entertaning particle OF doubt 10 the proprey OF Its
and not being aware OF the great and extensive
gress against it, was in favor of its immediate admission
as a separate and distinct measures but when became
acquainted with the opposition and considering lhat y
was question oil form, thought il best TO unite II
with other kindred measures IN one connon bill The
admission OF California was opPosed-iits upon the
.! s nr ana seeondy Se
cause the territorial limits which IL had assumed for IL
self were deemed to be too large and extensive We re.
piled rs the first ground that California not the first
State which had been received into the Union without
prior sanction of Congress- but several other States had
been SO received; that although il is most regular that
Congress should give its previous assent yet that s
matter depending upon the constitution, but Is within
the soundscreion OF Congress- hiatt the case oi other
States there less ground for the course which they
took, because they living under The blessings OF
law and order. with territorial governments established
for then; and that in the OF California, owing 10 di
visions Congress upon The subject OF the Wimot Pro-
viso, that body had been not only unable 10 give It's
assent 10 the formation Of State Of California, but had
totally failed 10 periotm the high and imperative duty OF
establishing for her territorial government and bad left
her without law without order, without government m
state OF almost perfect anarchy and IN such abandoned
condition that she had right, as any rational COM
| muniiy on earth would have. TO institute govern.
ment for hersef and 10 establish Law aud order As
10 the extent of the territorial limits OF California,
all feel that they quite arge and u they could
have been reformed without reecng the State, and re-
nandng II back into territorial condition, perhaps some
modihcaons wosld have been made ~ The limits but
large they are, Is not believed that they embrace
anything like much arabic land as i contained ~ sew.
era OF the States OF the Union and comprehensive as
those limits are, they not as extensive az those oi
Texas which would have been made still large they
could accomplish it, by CT the very members who
objected 10 the size OF California.
Prior 10 the last session Of Congress, the preceding ses
sion, and even no longer than twelve months ago, the
great effort OF The South avoid the W,mot Proviso
being ngraed on territorial bills II was that odious
restriction which created the greatest compain and oc-
casoned the most excitement at the South. wen, ihe
committee reported territorial bills Tor New Mexico and
Utah without the Provso--ihe South trlumphed BY the
LIBERAL msgnanimous and patriotic ad Of noI,nen mem