The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-08-09

Whas was the condition. Of The PRESIDENT The honon
BILE senator knows, and have seen my short public
career-noi than hall hs--somelhng OF the diff
cues OF ibe position OF President 81 the United Stat ss
he knows better than do the sensibes that naur aly
belong to executive power we'll as 70 those who only
exercise moral power II Is very delicate and diff
cult task with both TO get along without censure.
know The honorable senator comes here with deieml-
nation not 70 be dictated lo and he has given the iu
BY the Committee oil Thirteen, his favonte plan The
President announced thai he still adhered TO the plan ne
bad proposed and the old question presented
come to Mahomet do no, undertake to say which Is
Mahomei. Or which the mountain A laugh \,
y Mr.. CLAY | beg pardon, but only wanted the
mountain % lei me alone. LLaughterl
Mr. BELL am aware that The mountain has made
any attack upon Mahomet. lconlinued aughterl The
President has certainly far have understood, made
mr., President, have looked on this growing con-
troyersy with intense interest, because thought
foeshadowed in these circumstances results thai might
affect the interests of the whole country have looked
on with deep and profound concerns and ii could have
such contests as these il this hall or elsewhere would
have done most gladly. Sir il was announced that
the President would not change his opinion and this the
honoaoe senator considers an attack upon The plan OF
Mr.. CLAY. lin his seat) Not that alone; there were
Other Mr epSn Ell circumstances AZ, \
know that II has been said that OF the Secre
tarIes had been talking against the Compromise
MIR, CLAY, lin his seat) All ah
Mr. BELL But put II to the honorable senator from
Kentucky 10 say how far be would regard the talk OF
Secretary how far he would consider the legislation Of
the country likely 10 be Influenced by what Secretary
mightsayi And who is il. what member Of the Senate
OF the House, and what number OF them, would be
controlled BY such influence Look, sir the North
plan OF the President As those OF the NORTH they
not pledged and tied TO the Wmot Proviso by their in
strucions aud have they not already seeded little from
their platform coming 10 The plan Of the Presidents
Who among them could Secretary, or even the Presi.
dent bimself, conrcli Questions now and then arise
upon which the weaknesses OF human nature may be
cessfully approached; but now, looking round the
Senate, who 10 here DECEASED, subserven so mer-
cenary be influenced by any considerations Of Exc
cutiye favor or power IN his vote upon question 80
important to the peace and harmony OF the country.
Now, s let me put It TO the sagacity and penetration
Of the honorable senator from KenluckyahdI know Of
degreesuppose the President had upon his invitation.
the plan of the Committee of Thirteen, what
would have a. been The cry instantly rung through The
to remember that, for the last six months, and
during the full period Of the discussions upon this sub
ject-syen at the very height OF the excitement and agi
tation which filled the whole country with aarm-the
organ of great and powerful party Washington Unopl
did not fail to fill its daily sheets with the most violent
and unqualified vituperaon and abuse OF the President,
his motives and his policy charging that he but the
tool Of unprncpled cabal and that his whole scheme
Of policy relative Y these Territories was founded in the
cIsion upon the question of The Wilmot Proviso and
put il tdthe distinguished sena,orand better
appreciate the questonwhat would have been said IT.
under such circumstances, the President had sgn6ed
change OF policy and the support OF the plan
Of the committee And this after the honorable
try considered that the Wilmot Proviso was dead. |
perceive that the honorable senator the point.
Mr CLAY, Gin bis seat) VIII you let me express IL
Mr.. BELL Let me express it first. [Laughter1 1t
would have been Immediately proclaimed that il fur
nshed the last evidence the President could give of his
utter untness for the high station he occupied the
ri6ce Of his own self respect going for territorial gov
ernments now. when there is danger OF the Wimot
Proviso-no danger that the irauds" and cheas" prsc
ever be revealed Old Zack who never incbed from The
foe upon the field OF battle, snrnks from question Of
Political responsibility He was opposed to territorial
governments when he thought the Wlmot Proyiso might
be put al him but the moment the Committee of Thirteen,
seconded by the talents and eioquence Of the distinguish
ed senator from Kentucky had given the goby 10 the
der his wing and says he longer opposed to terrific
rial governments! know the honorable senator from
Kentucky would be disposed at present to take very
different view of the position of the President He would
probably say that magnanmity and patriotism required
that should rise above all antcipatons OF danger
is worth who is no, willing TO sacrifice himself for
the good Of his counryr have already given the
swer TO all this The Inference have pointed out would
be drawn both by opponents and friends He would have
been scofed at and scorned by his friends the North
and even his receding friends al the South would have
despsed him for doing an act 80 derogaiory to his self
respect What would his opinions hereafter be worth it,
under such circumstances, he should have agreed to the
plan Of the committee admitting that it best. after
ALL TO este iish territorial governments The President
having recommended the policy he thought advisa
bic upon this subject, in my opinion consistently with
his principles required that he should leave Congress to
adopt whatever in their judgment would best pro-
mote the public interest free from any further interference
on his part; and this, understand. he did. He had
right 10 the expression OF his views, and when so ex-
expressed he had right 10 adhere to them, unless be
saw good cause TO change themunless he became sat
isfed that the public good demanded different policy
And H. without such urgent reason be had changed his
views. should myself have felt for him in6aite
And am not that ii, under all the actual circum-
stances OF his position the President had gwen his ad
heson the plan OF the committee the honorable sena
tor from Kentucky himself would in his heart have
participated in the same sentiment
Mr. CLAY. wish merely TO say, with the permission
OF the SENATOR as stated just that there two
coufses to in support OF the measure
would have subjected himself 10 the scorn and contempt
the honorable gentleman has wildly described But
stated also that there another with which the
committee would have been satisfied, and that was
course OF forbcarance-to say nothing, to do nothing
against the of the committee; leave Con-
gess s undsturbed and free deliberations upon great
measure, involving the peace and harmony Of the
try. now say, SIR, 10 the honorable gentleman from
Tennessee, and in the face oil the county, that what be
SAID this moment = in my mouth, and in the mouth Of
every member OF Congress-, that IL the President had
either come out in support Of the plan OF the Committee OF
Thirteen or been silentif had not been made upon
il by all the influences OF power the measure would have
passed both houses without the slightest difficulty That
i hsuniversal opinion
Mr. DAVIS, OF Mississippi Not universal Ibaye
10 dscaim this being in the mouth OF every
senator. II never was in my mouth.
Mr. CLAY Whenever mean TO alude to the sena-
tor from Misessippi, he will always understand IT,
spoke Of the great majority Of both houses and mean