The North-Carolina standard., 1850-02-13

anxiety, of peril, and of danger even to the country
but have never before arisen to address any assem-
bly, so oppressed, appalled,, 60 anxious. And, sr
hope it will not be ont OF plnce to do here wna'
to implore Of Him who holds the desnies of nations
and individuals in his hands to bestow upon our coun-
try his blessings-o bestow upon the people all MS
blessings-to calm the violence and rage Of party
to still passon-to allow reason once more to resume
its empire. And may not ask Of Him, SIT, to pes
tow upon his humble servant, now before Him, the
blessings of his smiles, of strength, and ability, 10
perform the work which lies before usl
Sir, continued MI. Clay, have said that have
witnessed other anxious periods in the history OF our
country and il were to mention-to trace to their
original source-the cause of all our present dangers
and difficulties; should ascrbe them to the violence
and intempeance of party spirit. We have had tes,
timony of this in the progress Of this session ano
senators, however they may differ in other matters
in acknowledging the existence OF that cause
in originating the unhappy differences which prevail!
throughout the country upon this subject OF the
tuition of slavery. Partes in their endeavors TO oo
tain the the ascendency over the other eaten al
every passing and floating plank, in order TO add
told by two honorable senators Mr.. Hale and Mr..
Phelps1 that the parties at the North have each IN
its turn wooed and endeavored obtain the assistance
of small party called abolitionists. in order that the
scale in its favor might preponderate over its adver
saries. Let us look wherever We may, we see TOO
many indications of the existence Of the spirit and
intemperance of party. might go to other 'eg1s'a
tive bodies besides our own. l might draw from
those legislatures all the melancholy truth upon which
l am dwelling but sir, need not pass out oi ms
Capitol ITSELF say it 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 session! One whole week-it think
it entire week-exhausted in the vain endeavor
to elect Doorkeeper Of the House!
Here there was much confusion in the lobb'es;
owing to the immense crowd Of persons present. and
after order had been restored, Mr.. Clay proceeded.
Sir, continued Mr.. Clay, what vicissitudes do we
pass through in this short mortal existence OF
Eight years ago, sir, took my leave finally. and-as
supposed-forever Of this body. At that time did
conceive Of the possibility of being again return
ed to aud if my private wishes and particular ir-
clinatons, and the desire during the short remnant
of my days to remain in repose and quiet could have
prevailed, you would never have seen me. sir, occu-
pying the seat which now do upon this floor. The
Legislature Of the State to which belong unsolicited
by me, chose to designate me to represent them in
this session; and have come here, in obedience to
sense of stern duty, with no personal objects-no
private views now or hereafter to gratify l know
engendered by the spirit Of party to which have
referred; and if there be any in my hearing now-lf
there be in or out of this Captol-any one who is
using his efforts for honor and for elevation-for
higher honor, for higher elevation, than that which
he may enjoy-I beg him to believe that at least
will joste him in the pursuit of these honors
or that elevation. beg him to be persuaded that, it
my wishes prevail, my name shall never be used in
competition with his. beg leave to assure him that
when my services are terminated in this body, my
mission, far respects the public affairs OF this
world and upon this earth is closed. and closed if
;ny wishes prevail, forever.
After this exordum Mr.. Clay proceeded to argue
the questions involved in his Resolutions at much
length. Before concluding his remarks, he gave way
to motion by Mr.. Foote to adjourn. He will, of
ntnna nd PhanS
tomorrow.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
In the House to-day the death of Mr.. Newman Of
Virginia was announced by Mr.. Raymond and after
the passage Of the customary Resolutions, the House,
out of respect to the memory of the deceased, mme-
SENATE.
"WEDNESDAY, February 6.
After the usual morning business, and the presen-
ta'ion Of memorials and petitions,
MR. Mangum presented sundry resolutions relative
the power of Congress the subject Of slavery
in the Territories, adopted by meeting of the citi-
zens Of Wilmington, North Carolina without distnc
ton of party.
In presenting the resolutions, MI. NJ. said {: Mr..
Presi dent have been charged with the duty Of pre-
senting to the Senate an account of meeting, held
IN the town Of Wilmington, North Carolina. in ref.
erence to the question which now agitates most deep
ly the public mind Of the country. l will remark,
sir, that Wilmington is the largest and most COM
mercal town in the State, which in part represent.
1t is whig town. and has been for the last thirty
years. This meeting, sir, was composed of the lead
ing and most influential Of both political parties.
The town has population eminently marked for its
respectability ,as my friend from Alabama Mr.. King,
who has long resided there. and many years ago rep
resented them in the House of Representatives, can
testify yes, sir, eninenty marked for its respecta-
bity and intelligence. These resolutions are strong
they are decided. The citizens of the community
Of Wilmington hold. in common with almost the en-
tire South, the opinion that they standing upon
the defensive simply in the cause Of the South against
any act of aggression upon their rights. No act of
aggression has proceeded from u.s.. We ask nothing
but hands off,. Hitherto it has been question
of party, believe, both sides. These questions
have been agitated in the North, with view of pro-
curing place and preferment. 1t may have been SO
hitherto in some portions Of the South, but North
Carolina has never done have her representa-
tves in this chamber agitated upon this subject
80 far as / know.
say, sir the almost universal opinion of the South
is, that they standing upon the defensive. 1t is
no longer mere question of party in the South. An
Overwhelming proportion of her people believe that
this government has power TO touch the subject of
slavery, either in the States in the Territories but
even that portion of our population who entertain
different opinion, and concede to the government the
power to act upon slavery in the Territories, yet
gard these aggressions upon Us as abusive of that
power; and they will 60 so far as those who think
,Wnen time comes tnelr dcUOn. nave
said sir that in the incipient stages of this contro
versy, it play of party for place and pre-
ferment. l think now that the entire South have
passed that point. All other questions of party
merged in this; and l think, when are brought to
the consideration of this great question, entire
population-if the evil shall that many of
the best and wisest men of the country apprehend,
(which may Heaven avert )-men of all parties, of
every description, will be found standing shoulder to
shoulder, to defend those rights which they should de-
H. a. L. - i A.