Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-02-13
Latest from Washingtou,
Correspondence Of the ~ o. Picayune)
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 90, 1850.
We were forcibly reminded Yesterday of the
better and past days of the Republic, when Mr..
Clay rose to offer his long considered and ex-
pected compromise, All were attentiye-aH
listened with fes~peet-@theugh many found me
propositions to be Of a nature unpopular with
their constituencies, and therefore felt them
selves obliged to present preliminary objections
and obstacles. Mr.. Clay brought forward his
scheme with all his customary address and M
posing majesty Of manner. Still, it was not
until subsequently, when he was excited by op-
position or by something like taunt and re-
proach, that he showed himselfto be really the
same old coon" He bore himself in the warm
conflict that followed, and which sometimes
threatened to surpass the proper bounds Of Sc
Material deeorum, with the same gallantry, spi-
rt, acuteness, and commanding eloquence that
characterized him in his best days. In one pas
sage particularly, as you will see from the off,
cial report, he elected involuntary and hearty
applause. ,..,. -
Mr.. Clay carried the feeling Of the Senate and
the auditory with him, as must have been evil
dent to every one. The opposition from the
Southern Senators was sufficient to silence the
batteries of the North, and Mr.. Clay had, there
fore, but one fire, and that one in his front, to
receive and return. If other Senators approved
themselves as men, Mr.. Clay seemed something
more than a man, while in the cause of har-
mony and union he fearlessly asserted his
rights. In the use Of the weapons of parlia-
mentary warfare-whether of the battleaxe or
rapier-Mr. Clay never had an equal in former
times, and he did not seem to-day to have lost
any thing Of courage or skill that he ever pos
sessed. % o Q
Q There were no objections to Mr.. Clay's
scheme, which are irreparable-none which he
did not meet and obviate.Q Much Is of course
unsettled in his plan of ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
general features are carried out, and the details
must be left to subsequent workmanship. 4.
Mr.. Clay proposes to admit California, and
to establish territorial governments for other
communities in the Mexican acquisition, with
out any provisions by Congress in regard to
slavery. But he leaves open the question of
California boundary, and also assumes that sla-
very was abolished in California and New Mex
leo by Mexican law. The plan of Mr.. Clay
may be filled up BY the adoption Of the Missouri
line, or by the Clayton compromise. Several
points in the compromise are similar to those
already proposed in Mr.. Foote's bill.
AS to lexas, MT. clay proposes W maAe heIa
liberal ofer-the sum left in blank-fora ces-
sion of a portion Of her western limits, and the
REIMBURSEMENT Of her claim on a part of New
Mexico. If she do not accept the offer, the mat
Ter will be as it is. But if the territorial ques-
ton be settled, every thing will follow as of lit
tie import. The great political question being
out. Of the way, the minor difficulties win have
no strength to disturb the Union.
{ MI. CLAWS propositions will be well received
by the country. It is brought forward at a pro
per time and in proper manner, and the country
will recognise it as coming from an approved
quarter. | think the Senate is favorably impress
sed with tat least so far as to be inclined to
give it a candid consideration-to discuss, alter,
and finally to put in a practical shape each pro-
position. 20 st, ;.
Yours, &c, EXCELSIOR.