The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-07-26
CONGRESSIONAL.
BPEECA OF ak&. CLAY,
OF KENTUCKY,

Os the Bill for the admission of California &C. del,vsy
ed ~ he Senate of The Untted States, Moaday July
90, 1880.
The question pending being upon an amendment pro-
boundaries OF California and the reduction Of her jurs
diciion--
Mr. CLAY said Mr.. President I hope that this amend
ment will not be pressed at this moment but that we
shall have some time for It's consideration II senators
desire i, will move that be printed
The PRESIDENT. II has been printed
Mr.. CLAY. was not aware of that
Mr. President II rs known 10 the Senate that il has been
my hope and expectation that we should dispose of
all the amendments either proposed 10 be pro-
posed TO the bill, and That upon the question of its
engrossnent ! intended. with the permission of the
Senate. 10 occupy some portion OF its tins in taking
a rapid review Of some Of The objections that have
sderstion and then 10 submit j, into those hands in
which, by the constitaton q The country. the RESPONSE
biy Is placed The events Of Saturday, of which we
possess information deprived Of tue opportunity OF
poying that day in the consideration OF those amend
ments which were intended to be submitted or were yet
before the Senate But as some rather impatient anxiety
has been manifested arrive at the conclusion oil this
important subjecan anxiety in which, 10 some extent
share with othsrs-l have risen this morning to per-
form duty towards the COMMITTEES and to the subject
which my position prompts me to endeavor to execute.
say some impatience has been manifested. do not
mean il In any unklnd seuse The honorable senator
from New Hampshire Mr. HALE1 who now sits on my
left has. upon two occasions, moved TO lay this bill the
table; and his motion was made with all the air of con-
scious power-as if he tel perfectly not merely
all the opponents OF the bill Il is true the senator final
y most graciously condescended to withdraw his motion
to lay the bill upon the table, at my instance for which
profoundly grateful. Bul al DO desire again 10
place myself in any attitude oil solicitation with regard
to the progress and the final disposition OF this BILL have
risen. repeat now TO perform duty which appertans
to my position.
Mr. President the progress of this debate has been
again and again argued that perfect tranquility reigns
throughout the country; that there is disturbance
threatening its peace eniangerng its safety, but that
which was produced by busy. restless politicians II has
been maintained that the surface of the pnblic mind
perfectly smooth and~undisurbed by single blow
most heartily wish could concur in this picture OF gen.
era tranquility that has been drawn upon both sides of
the Senate l am alarmis; por, thank God, at the
advanced age at which His providence has been pleased
to allow TO reach, am very easily alarmed by any hu
event; but totally misread the signs of the mes
IT there be that state OF profound peace and quiet that
absence OF all just cause OF apprehension Of future dan
geto this conederacy, which appears to be entertained
by other senator's Mr. President, all the tenden-
cies Of the times lamento say towards dsquetude
midst OF profound peace with all the nations of the EARTH
have we seen convention representing considerable
portion of great part Of the republic. together
deliberate about OF future safety in connexon
with great interests OF that quarter OF the county When
before have we seen, not one but more-sOme half a
dozenegslaive bodies solemnly resolving that il any
Of these measures-the admission OF California the
adoption OF the Wm0t Proviso, the abolition of sla
very in the Dsrc, of Coumbia-should be adopted by
Congress- of extreme character for the safe
ty Of the great interests to which refer in the particular
section OF the country, would be resoed to For years
this subject OF the abolition of slavery within this
District OF Columbia, small as is the number OF slaves
hsre been OF constant irritation and disquet
So OF the subject Of the recovery OF fugitive slaves
who have escaped from their lawful owners; not a
border contest, rs has been supposed-although
there undoubtedly il has given rise to n
ritation than in other portions OF the Union
but everywhere through the slavehoding country it
has been fell As great evil, great wrong, which
required the intervention Of congressional power.
But these two subjects, unpleasant has been the agta
ton to which they have given rise. nothing in com
huua f,{
ions recently made from the republic of Mexico.
These not only great and leading causes OF just
pehension respects the future but all the MINOR cir
cumsances OF the day intimate danger ahead whatever
may be It's final issue and consequence. The establish
meni OF paper in this cty-a sectional paper-and !
wish could say that upon all occasions il propagated
truth with attention than in particular instance il
has donea sectional paper il established here to
pouse the interests OF the entire Union, but the inter
eats Of particular section The allusion made with
regard adeparture from The truth. which has inciden
tally to my notice. called forth by an assertion
recently made, that in the State OF Kentucky there was
great difference and diversity OF opinion upon the subject
OF the adoption OF this measure and that the consttu
tional convention OF that State had unanimously or
nearly unanimously rejected proposition IN favor OF the
GIompomse why, directly me reverse | Is the ae,
ieday that copied IN paper in Mobile and was
spoken OF undoubed fact that even in the State oil
Kentucky there was great division The subject OF the
Compromise. will say in my place, with the authority
which appertains 10 my position that Tor nifty years
have never known much unanimity upon any question
10 that Stale III Sttlt from
from gentleman formerly democratic member OF Con
gess known very well TO my friend from Indiana, no "
in my eye, from the county ot Henry one OF the most
populous counties in that State, IN which there s
)orty OF democratic voters. and of which majority OF
1900 votes. this genleman-an honorable genepan, !
amproud to say. though differ from him in poues-says
that far he knows believes there ~ not solitary
Individual oppose II and the constitutional convention
Of Kentucky, instead OF opposing by unanimous vote
OF The body, expressed ts appreciation OF this pending
One OF the mforunes u the times ~ the d,f.
hcnIty in penetrating the northern mind with truth to
make ii sensbIc the dangers which ahead 10 make
comprehend the consequences which are TO result IRON
this that make give just appreciation 10 all
the events which have occurred occurring or which
cumsiances and events All tending rapidly as fear,
10 fatal issue of the matters in controversy between The
di4efent portions OF the Union
| have seen a pampblei-snd II has been circulated
with great tInGusyeonlaning exposition OF political
economy, written IN style well calculated stnke the
mind of the masses, but u OF and exaggeraton
from one end OF II 10 the oher-euors o every sor,-set.
ges resulting from the existence OF this Union to the
southern portion of the coDederacy and pouraying in
the lively hues the benefits which would result
from separating and setting up for themselves
MIR President will not now dwell upon other coneom-
liant causes all having the same tendency and all well
calculated TO awaken, 10 arouse us, H. as hope the
fact s we are all OF sincerely desrous OF preserving
this Union-to rouse us to dangers which really exist,
without undertaking them upon the one hand, or magni-
lying them upon the other. -
1t this stage, or state, rather OF inc republic
that my friend from Mississippi lAl Feorg,l something
more than four months ago, made motion ior the ap.
poniment OF Committee OF Thirteen Unlike what oc'
cured al analogous period OF the republic, when y
was my duty make simar motion in the other end
itr Eut,,t ard han IN nj