Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-03-07
MIR CLAY'S SPEECH ON HIS COMPROMISE
RESOLUTIONS.


RESOLUTIONS.
Mr. Clay. Mr. President, never on any
former occasion, have arisen under feel
ings Of such painful solicitude. l have
witnessed many periods Of great anxiety
Of peril, and Of danger even to the coun-
try but l have never before arisen to ad-
dress any assembly so oppressed, SO ap-
palled, SO anxious. And sir, l hope it
vii! not be out Of place to do here what
again and again have done in my private
chamber-to implore Of Him who holds
his hands to bestow upon our country his
blessings-to bestow upon our people his
blessings-to calm the violence and rage
Of party-to still passion-to allow rea-
son once more to resume its empire
And may not ask Of Him, sir, to bestow
upon his humble servant, now before
Him, the blessings of his smiles, of
strength. and ability, TO perform the work
which lies before us
Sir, have said that l have witnessed
other anxious periods in the history Of our
country and il were to venture to trace
to their original source the cause Of all
our present dangers, difficulties and dis.
traction, should ascribe it to the violence
and intempcrance of party spirit. To
party spirit! Sir, in the progress Of this
session we have had the testimony of two
Senators here, who, however they may
differ OH other matters, concur in the ex-
istence of that cause in originating the un-
happy differences which prevail through
out the country on the subject of the in
s,itution Of slavery. Parties, in their en-
deavors to obtain the one the ascendancy
over the other, catch at every passing or
floating plank in order to add strength and
power TO each. We have been told by
! the two Senators TO whom have referred,
| that each Of the parties at the North, in its
turn, has moved and endeavored to obtain
the assistance Of a small party called Alb
olitiouists, in order that the scale in its
favor might preponderate against that Of
its adversary. And all around US, every
! where, we see too many evidences of the
existence of the spirit and intemperance
of party. | might go TO other Legislative
bodies than that which is assembled in
Congress, and I might draw from them
illustrations of the melancholy truth upon
which am dwelling, but | need not pass
out Of this capitol itself. | say it, sir,
with all Difference and respect to that 9TH
er portion Of Congress assembled in the
other wing Of this capitol but what have
we witnessed there? During this very
session one whole week has heet1 exhaust
ed think about week--in The vain en-
deavor 10 elect door keeper Of the House:
Here there was great confusion
arising from the continual pressing for
ward of the crowds who thronged the
galleries, the lobbies, and the floor Of the
| chamber, so much SO as almost 10 drown
the voice OF the honorable speaker.
Mr. CAss. will, the Senator give way
until order is restored?
/ Mr. CLAy resumed his seat.
The Vice President. The Sergeant at
arms will see tha, the avenues to the floor
are closed, and tha, the people are qnie,ed.
! Mr. FoorE. Ii is to be hoped .ha. the
disorderly will be quieted.
Mr. BADGER. The noise arises from
those persons who are collected outside
in the ante-roo:n, and who not being able
to get in and hear themselves, seem 10 be
resolved that nobody else shah hear.
The Vice President directed the Ser
geant at arms to clear the outer lobbes of
the crowd and order being in some de-
gree restored--
Mr. CLAY resumed. Mr. President
what was the question in this struggle 10
elect Doorkeeper? 1t was not as re-
garded the man, or the qualifications OF
the man, best adapted to the situation. II
was whether the Doorkecper entertained
opinions upon certain great national meas
ures coincident with those of this or that
side Of the House! That was the sole
question that prevented the election OF
that officer for abont the period Of week
make no reproaches, sir--none to either
portion Of the House. state The fact
; and state that fact to draw from it the
conclusion, and to express the hope tha,
there will be am endeavor to check this
violence Of party.
), Sir, what vieissitudes do we not pass
!. through in this short mortal existence ol
ours? Eight year. ago, sir, took my
leave finally, and, as supposed, forever
from this holly. At that time did no,
conceive OF The possibility Of ever again
returning TO il. And il my private wish.
es and particular inclinatons, and the de.
sire during the short remnant Of my days
to remain in repose and quiet could have
/, prevailed, you would never have seen me
: occupying the seat which now occupy
, upon this floor. The Legislature Of the
State to which belong, unsolicited by me
chose to designate me for this station, and
have come here, sir, in obedience to a
. sense OF stern duty, with no personal OBJ
jec,s, no private views, now or hereafter
10 crafty. know, sir, the jralonsies
b the fears, the apprehen.ions which are
!, engendered by the existence Of that party
spirit to which have referred; but i
there be in my hearing now, in or out o
II this capitol, any one who hopes, in hi:
a race for honols and elevation, for higher
honors and higher elevation than thai
$ which he may occupy, beg him to be
lleve that |, at least, will never jostle hin
in the pursuit Of those honors or that Gle
. vation. | beg him to be perfectly per
suaded that, sif my wishes prevail, my
name shall never be used in competition