The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-23
THE REPUBLIC.
WASHINGTON:
SATURDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY %. 1860
MIR. clay,s speech.

Y MIR. Clay's Speech.
In issuing the speech of Mr.. CLAY,
upon his resolutions of compromise, we
cannot omit to accompany it with few
words of commentary. However we may
differ from him in regard to the manner Of
adjusting the existing causes of difference
between the North and the South, we cannot
but admire the consummate ability which
he displays, and the catholic spirit Of pa
triotism which breathes in every syllable
he utters. AT no time in his long and
eventful political career has Mr.. CLAY oc-
cupied position in which his words were
calculated TO produce a stronger impress
sion upon the public mind. His age, his
experience, his illustrious services, his
deep hold upon the affections and conf
dence of the people, his superiority to
sectional prejudices and partialities--all
unite to lend weight and importance to
his suggestions, and to rally about him
the wise and prudent and patriotic of all
parties in support Of the Constitution and
the Union
We hold that all men who wish well to
the country are now united in common
cause. Whatever may be their views
with regard to the details of conciliatory
policy, they all seek the same end, and
mean substantially the same thing. They
are all united to resist the extreme mea-
sures Of faction, and to rebuke the bane-
full spirit Of disunion. We are not dis
posed, therefore, to quarrel with those
who see different way from ours to the
same result. If the result is secured, we
care not who may receive the credit of it,
nor to whose advantage it may enure. 1t
is generous competition to seek the no.
nor of restoring harmonyto our discordant
councils, and peace TO a distracted coun-
try. While we believe that the plan re-
commended by President TAYLOR is the
most practicable, and that which meets
with most general favor-while it pre-
sents fewer difficulties, and promises to
command the more ready and easy acqui-
escence-we are disposed to receive with
the greatest respect and consideration
every suggestion from every quarter,
which is prompted by liberal spirit and
looks only to the good of the republic.
| There are men, we are persuaded, who
| seek the dissolution of the Union; and
who will be satisfied with nothing but the
accomplishment Of their reasonable pur-
poses. Such men are to be found in both
sections of the country. When Mr.. INGE
portrays in glowing colors the advantages
which the South would derive from sepa-
ration, and looks forward to the meeting
Of sectional convention for the develop
ment of those advantages in sr1l more
alluring form; when Mr.. CLEMENS pro-
claims, on the floor Of the Senate, that the
Union is dissolved; when Mr.. CLINGMAN
enters into calculations which exhibit the
little value Of the Union to his constituents,
and advises the withholding of appro-
priations from the naval and military
branches of the public service, until he is
satisfied that they may not be required to
put down civil insurrection-it requires
nice optics 10 distinguish between this
hardly occult treason and that which
glares boldly in the turgid defamation
Of the PHILLIPsEs and the crazy resolu-
tons Of the GARRIsoNs. We see no diff
ference between the MEADEs and VENA-
DLEs on one side, and the RooTs and
GIDDINGsEs on the other The fanaticism
OF dlsunion has possessed the ultraists of
both sections-and the only hope Of the
country is in the wisdom and patriotism
and conciliatory temper of the true states-
men Of both sections, who possess the
confidence of the people, and desire the
perpetuity of the Union.
In this view of our condition, the speech
of Mr.. CLAY cannot fail to exercise a
most salutary influence upon public sem
timent. II is calm, dispassionate, con-
ciliatory. Without rigidly insisting on
his own plan Of compromise, Mr.. CLAY
seeks only to throw out suggestions
that may tend TO allay animosities and
rekindle the popular attachment to the
Union. He refuses to see any insu-
perable difficulties in the way of recon-
citation and peace. He only manifests
the desire and determination to procure
satisfactory solution of the question now
exciting discomfort. If good will and
good feeling cannot be restored upon
his own terms, he still seeks for their res
toration.
This liberal spirit must command re.
spect, if il does not command success. 1t
must conciliate all good men, lift does not