The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-23
T H E r E P UBLIC.
SPEECH
MIR. CLAY, OF KENTUCKY,


In support of his propositions to compro-
mise on the Slavery question, delirered
in the Senate Of the United States, Feb
ruwy s, 1850.
| The Senate, as in Committee Of the Whole, pro-
ceedcd to the consideration Of the following resou
tons submitted on Tuesday last by the Senator
| from Kentucky, (Mr. CLAyO
| 1t being desirable for the peace, concord, and
harmony of the Union Of these States to settle and
adjust amicably all existing questions OF controversy
between them arising out OF the institution OF sa
very, upon fair, equitable, and just basis There
/ fore,
| lst. Resolped That California, with suitable
boundaries, ought upon her application to be ad
mtted as one of the States Of this Union, without
the imposition by Congress of any restriction in re-
spect to the exclusion or introduction of slavery
/ within those boundaries.
| I'd. Resolved, That slavery does not exist by
law, and is not likely to be introduced into any Of
the territory acquired by the United States from the
Republic of Mexico, It'll inexpedent for Congress to
provide by law either for its introduction into ex-
cluson from any part of the said erritory and that
appropriate territorial governments ought to be
tabshcd by Congress in all the said territory not
assigned as the boundaries of the proposed State OF
California, without the adoption OF any restriction
| or condition on the subject of slavery
81. ResolUed, That the western boundary of the
State of Texas ought to be fixed on the Rio del
Norte, commencing one marine league from its
mouth, and running up that river to the southern
line of New Mexico; thence with that line east
wardly, and so continuing in the same direction to
the line established between the United States
and Spain, excluding any portion of New Mexico,
| whether lying on the east or west of that river.
4th. Resolued That it be proposed to the State OF
Texas that the United States will provide for the
payment of all that portion of the legitimate and
bona e public debt of that State contracted prior
to its annexation to the United States, and for
which the duties on foreign imports were pledged
by the said State to its creditors not exceeding the
n ..l.-- a. II
SO pledged having been no longer applicable to
that object after the said annexation, but having
thenceforward become payable to the United States
and upon the condition also that the said State o
Texas shall, by some solemn and authentic act Of
her Legislature, or of convention, relinquish tc
the United States any claim which it has to any
part of New Mexico.
5th. Rssolusd, That it is inexpedient to abolish
slavery in the District of Columbia whilst that in
stituton continues TO exist in the State of Mary
land without the consent of that State without III,
consent of the people of the District, and withou
Just compensation to the owners Of slaves within the
District.
9th But resolved, That il is expedient TO prohibi
within the District the slave trade in slaves brough
into it from States places beyond the limits o
the District, either TO be sold therein as merchan
disc, to be transported TO other markets withou
the District Of Columbia.
7th. Resoiped, That more effectual provision oueh
TO be made by law, according TO the requiremen
of the Constitution, for the restitution and deliver,
|.
who may escape into any other State or Territor,
, in the Union.
And sth ResoIued That Congress has no powe
TO prohibit or obstruct the trade in slaves betwee
the saveholding States; but that the admission O
exclusion of slaves brought from one into anothe
Of them depends exclusively upon their own par
ticular laws.
:. MIR. CLAY addressed the Senate as follows:
] Mr. PRESIDENT: Never, ON any former occasion
have risen under feelings of such deep socitud,
! have witnessed many periods Of great xicty,
peril, and Of danger even 10 the country; but hav
never before arisen to address any assembly 80 op
; pressed, SO appalled,, anxious. Ano sir, / hop
Il will not be out of place to do here what agai
j and again have done in my private chamber
implore of Him who holds the destinies Of nation
, and individuals in his hands 20 bestow upon ou
E country his bessings-to bestow upon our peopl
all his blessings-tO calm the violence and rag
: Of party-to still passion-to allow ono
more 10 resume its empire. And may not as
Of Him ~ bestow upon his humble servant, nov
before him, the blessings Of his smiles, Of strength
and Of ability TO perform the work which lies beior
him?
! Sir, have SAID that have witnessed other anx
ious periods in the history Of our country; and If
were 20 mcnton-to trace 10 their original source
the cause of all our present dangers and dificu
ties, should ascribc them TO The violence and in
temperance OF party spirit. We have had test
mony Of this in the progress Of this session; an
Senator'S however they may differ in other natter
: concur in acknowledging the existence Of tha
4 cause in originating the unhappy differences whic
prevail throughout the country upon this subject
the institution Of slavery. Parties, i'm their endea
vors 10 obtain the one the asccndency over th
other, catch at every passing and floating planl
in order 10 add strength and power to themselves
b We have been told by two honorable Senators, (M
= HALE and MIR. PHELPs,) that the parties at th
North have, each in its turn woocd and ondcavorc
20 obtain the assistance Of small party called Al
. otionsts in order that the scale In ts favor migt
I prepondcratc over its advcrsaries. Let Us loo
| uhe We m " loo nd
c the existence OF the spirit and intemperancc ,
party. might 90 20 other Legislative bodies besid,
our own. Imight draw from those legislatures a
the melancholy truth upon which ! am dwelling
but, SIR need not pass Of tins capitol itself
say IL with all Difference and respect 20 that porto
ofCongress assembled in the other wing Of the car
itol. But what have we seen there during this yer
session. One whole week. think ID was an entir
D week--exhausted in the vain cndeavor 10 elect
Il doorkeeper Of the House
Much confusion prevailed In The lobbics and n
avenues leading 10 the Senate ohambcr.l
i Mr.. CASS Will the honorable Senator pause
4 few moments, until order is restored here
n The VICE PRESIDENT. The Sergeant at arm
will see that the avenues 10 the galleries and IN
q chamber arc closed, and that a sufficient numb'
withdraw from them 10 give room for tlosc WI
: are in, and 70 restore order.
!, Mr.. FOOTE. Let all the disorderly be taken on
0 Mr.. BADGER. There arc persons in the ant
y rooms who, because they cannot hear thcmselvc
will not let others hear ] would suggest the pr'
pricty OF crtenolnE inc Ofdcr 70 thclr case Also
Mr.. CAss Is the Sergeant alarms in u
chambcri
r The VICE PRESIDENT. ne is discharging b
duty in restoring order.
!, Mr.. BADGER. Let the ante rooms be entirel
!, closed.
d Order having at length been restored,
i Mr.. CLAY resumed. Mr.. President, what WI
the question, in this struggle 10 elect doorkcepc
!. II was not regarded the man, or the qualities
tions Of the man, best adapted 10 the situation.
was whether the doorkeepcr entertained opinion
. upon certain great national measures coincider
with those Of this or that side Of the House Tb'
was the sole question that prevented the election
that officer for about the period ofa week. mak
y no rcproaches, sir-none 90 either portion OF "
. House. state the fact; and ] state that TACT
draw from II the conclusion, and 10 express "
, hope that there will be endeavor 10 check tn
u violence OF party.
i What vicssitudcs do we pass through in th
. short mortal existence Of ours Eight years ago
. took my leave finally, and, as supposed, forcy'
Of this body. AT that time did not conceive OF u
possibility Of being again returned 20 u and II m
private wishes and particular inclinations, and u
desire, during the short remnant OF my days,
remain in repose and quiet, could have prevailes
= you would never have seen me, sir, occupying %
) seat which now do upon this hoor. The lcgis'
!, ture Of the State 10 which belong, unsolicited