The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-06
CITY OF WASHINGTON WEDNESDAY MORNING FEBRUARY g. 1850

auvef6dFleo. Wherever
we may we too many indications of the existence OF
the spirit and inempeance of party might 20 to other
Legislative bodies besides our own. might draw from
those legislatures all the melancholy truth upon which
am dwelling but, sir, need not pass out Of this Cap
tol seI say with all Difference and respect to that
portion OF Congress assembled in the other wing of the
Capitol But what have we seen there during this very
week-exhausted in the vain endeavor to elect Door
keeper of the House
[Much confusion prevailed in the Hobbies and the
nues leading to the Senate chamberJ
Mr. CASS. Will the honorable senator pause few
moments until order is restored here
The VICE PRESIDENT. The Sergeant Arms will
closed and that sufficient number withdraw from them
to give room for those who and TO restore order
Mr. FO0TE Let all the disordery be taken out.
that because they cannot hear themselves, will not lei
others hear would suggest the proprety OF extending
the order to their case also.
ai Gsshas ss duty
Mr. ssTI BAbSER Let the be entirely closed
Order having at length been restored,
Mr. CLAY resumed Mr.. President, what was the
question, in this struggle to elect Doorkeeper II
not as regarded the man. or the qualifications Of the man.
best adapted to the situation II whether the Door
keeper entertained opinions upon certain great national
coincdent with those OF this that side of the
house That was the sole question that prevented the
election OF that officer for about the period OF week
make reproaches, sir-none to either portion OF the
House. state the fact; and state that fact to draw
from It the conclusion and 70 express the hope that there
will be endeavor to check this violence of party
Sir what vicssitudes do not pass through in this
short mortal existence of ours Eight years ago, sir,
took my leave finally and.as supposed forever Of
this body AT that time did not conceive OF the possi
bility Of being again returned to iii and IT my private
wishes and particular nclnations and the desire during
the short remnant OF my days to remain in repose and
floor The legislature OF the State to which belong
unsolicited BY me- chose to designate me to represent
to sense Of stern duty with no personal objects
private views now or hereafter to crafty know, sir,
the eaousies. fears. and apprehensions which
and there Be any in my hearing nowf there Be IN
out of this Captol-any who is using his efforts
for honor, and for elevaonor higher honor for higher
a a. ess viii " n
OF these honors or that elevation beg him 10 be per-
suaded that, if my wishes prevail my name shall never
BE-. Se used IN competition with his beg leave to assure
my mission, 80 far respects the public affairs of this
world and upon this earth. closed and closed, if my
wishes prevail, forever.
But sir il is impossible for US to be blind to the facts
which are daily transpirng before US i s impossible
TOR us not to perceive that party spirit and future eeva
ton mix more or less in all our affairs, in all deb
eratons. AT moment. when the White House is IL
self in danger of confagration instead of all hands
uniting to extngush the flames, we are contending
about who shall be its next occupant When dreadful
crevasse has occurred which threatens inundaon and
destruction to all around it. contesng and dis
putting about the profits of the estate which is threatened
with total submersion. Hss. tN ts
and intemperance that is all dread in the adjustment OF
the great questions which unhappy at this time divide
our distracted country Sir 2. this moment. we have in
the gsatvc bodies of this CAPITOL and in the States,
twenty furnaces in full blast in making heat and
passion. and intemperance. and dusng them through
out the whole extent OF this broad land Two months
ago, sir. all was calm in comparison with the present
ment All now is uproar confusion, menace to the ex
sence OF the Union and to the happiness and safety of
this people Iimplore senaorsI entreat them by all
here belowto repress the ardor OF these passons-to
look at their country at this crss-to listen TO the
voice of reason not shall be attempted TO be uttered
the hope that anything say shall deserve the aen
ton have desired but to listen to their reason,
their own Judgment their own good sense in determin
posture in which find it. Sir, to this great object
have my efforts been directed during this whole
session have cut myself of from all the usual enjoy
ment of social life. have confined myself almost ex-
clusivey, with very few exceptions. to my chamber
and from the beginning of the session up to this time, my
thoughts have been anxiousy directed to the object OF
modaton which should once more restore the blessings
Of concord harmony, and peace TO this great country
not vain enough to suppose, s that have been sue
presented scheme and allow me to say to honorable
senator's that If they find in that plan anything which de-
fecve. II they find in II anything which is worthy Of
ceptance but is susceptible OF Improvement by amend
men seems TO me thai the true and patriotic course for
them pursue is, not to denounce IT, but to improve il
not to reject without examination, any project OF
having for its object the restoration of harmony
in this country, but to look at it, and il be suscep
ble OF alteration or Improvement, TO accomplish
The object which indulge the hope is to all and
every OF to restore peace and quiet and harmony,
and happiness to this country.
Sir, when came to consider this subject there were
two three general purposes which seemed to me msst
Desirable If possible TO accomplish The one was to set
lie all the controveried questions arising out OF the sub
ect Of slavery and il seemed to 10 be doing very lit
lie we settled one question and left other destructive
questions unadusted II seemed me to be doing but
little il we stopped leak only in the ship of State and
left other leaks capable OF producing danger, il not de-
structon to the vessel Therefore turned my attention
every subject connected with the institution Of slavery,
and out Of which conrovered questions have sprung to
see IL il were possible or practicable to accommodate
and adjust the whole OF them.
Another principal object which attracted my attention
was to endeayer 10 frame such scheme of accommoda
lion as that neither Of the two classes OF States into
which our country is unhappy divided should make
sacrifice Of any great principle believe, SIR that the
series OF resolutions which have had the honor Of pre-
senting to the Senate accomplish that object.
Another purpose, sir, which had in view was this:
these two classes OF States was aware that while
portion Of the Union was pushing maters as il seemed
to me- to dangerous extremity, another portion OF the
Union pushing them TO opposite and perhaps to
less dangerous extremity tappeared TO me, then,
that any arrangement any satisfactory adjustment,
could be made Of the contoveed questions between the
two classes OF the States that adjustment that arrange
men could only be successful and eHectua by exacng
from both of princple-nOt